How to Implement Network Function Virtualization in NS3

To Implement network function virtualization (NFV) in ns-3 by creating a dynamically deployed, managed and scaled virtual network function. Get in touch with us for all network implementation. Here step-by-step guide given below to set up NFV in ns-3.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implement NFV in ns-3

1. Set Up Your Development Environment

1. Install ns-3:
   • Follow the official ns-3 installation guide.
2. Install Required Modules:
   • Ensure you have all necessary ns-3 modules installed, such as Internet, Mobility, and Point-to-Point modules.

2. Create a Basic NFV Simulation Script

An example script to set up a basic NFV scenario using ns-3 is given below:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE(“NFVExample”);

class VirtualNetworkFunction : public Application {

public:

  VirtualNetworkFunction() {}

  virtual ~VirtualNetworkFunction() {}

  void Setup(Ptr<Socket> socket, Address address) {

    m_socket = socket;

    m_peerAddress = address;

  }

private:

  virtual void StartApplication() {

    m_socket->Connect(m_peerAddress);

    SendPacket();

  }

  virtual void StopApplication() {

    if (m_socket) {

      m_socket->Close();

    }

  }

  void SendPacket() {

    Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>(1024); // Create a packet of size 1024 bytes

    m_socket->Send(packet);

    Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(1.0), &VirtualNetworkFunction::SendPacket, this);

  }

  Ptr<Socket> m_socket;

  Address m_peerAddress;

};

 

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

  // Set simulation parameters

  uint32_t numNodes = 4;

  double simTime = 20.0; // Simulation time in seconds

  CommandLine cmd;

  cmd.AddValue(“numNodes”, “Number of nodes”, numNodes);

  cmd.AddValue(“simTime”, “Simulation time”, simTime);

  cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

  // Create nodes

  NodeContainer nodes;

  nodes.Create(numNodes);

  // Set up point-to-point connections

  PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

  pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

  pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

  NetDeviceContainer devices;

  for (uint32_t i = 0; i < numNodes – 1; ++i) {

    NetDeviceContainer link = pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1));

    devices.Add(link);

  }

  // Install the Internet stack on nodes

  InternetStackHelper internet;

  internet.Install(nodes);

  // Assign IP addresses to devices

  Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

  ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

  Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = ipv4.Assign(devices);

  // Create and configure virtual network functions

  Ptr<Socket>srcSocket=Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(0), TcpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());

  Address sinkAddress(InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(3), 8080));

  Ptr<VirtualNetworkFunction> vnfApp = CreateObject<VirtualNetworkFunction>();

  vnfApp->Setup(srcSocket, sinkAddress);

  nodes.Get(0)->AddApplication(vnfApp);

  vnfApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));

  vnfApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(simTime));

  // Install a sink application on the destination node

  PacketSinkHelpersinkHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), 8080));

  ApplicationContainer sinkApps = sinkHelper.Install(nodes.Get(3));

  sinkApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

  sinkApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  // Enable tracing

  pointToPoint.EnablePcapAll(“nfv-example”);

 

  // Run the simulation

  Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

  Simulator::Run();

  Simulator::Destroy();

  return 0;

}

Explanation of the Script

The necessary steps to take for implementing the NFV is enlightened:

1. Include Necessary Headers:
   • Include headers for ns-3 core, network, internet, point-to-point, mobility, and applications modules.
2. Set Simulation Parameters:
   • Define the number of nodes and simulation time.
3. Create Nodes:
   • Create a container for the nodes.
4. Set Up Point-to-Point Connections:
   • Set up point-to-point connections between nodes using PointToPointHelper.
5. Install Internet Stack:
   • Install the Internet stack on the nodes using InternetStackHelper.
6. Assign IP Addresses:
   • Assign IP addresses to the devices using Ipv4AddressHelper.
7. Create and Configure Virtual Network Functions:
   • Define a VirtualNetworkFunction class that extends Application. This class will handle the sending and receiving of packets as part of the VNF.
   • Create and configure VNFs on the nodes. In this example, a VNF sends packets from the source node to the sink node.
8. Install Applications:
   • Install a UDP echo server on the sink node and UDP echo clients on the remaining nodes to simulate communication.
9. Enable Tracing:
   • Enable pcap tracing to capture packet traces for analysis.
10. Run the Simulation:
    • Set the simulation stop time, run the simulation, and clean up using Simulator::Stop, Simulator::Run, and Simulator::Destroy.

Further Enhancements

1. Dynamic VNF Management:
   • Implement dynamic creation, scaling, and migration of VNFs based on network conditions and demands.
2. Service Chaining:
   • Implement service chaining where multiple VNFs are used in sequence to process network traffic.
3. Advanced Mobility Models:
   • Implement more realistic mobility models for mobile nodes.
4. Routing Protocols:
   • Implement and evaluate different routing protocols suitable for NFV environments.
5. Quality of Service (QoS):
   • Implement QoS mechanisms to prioritize critical network functions and ensure timely delivery.
6. Network Performance Metrics:
   • Collect and analyze performance metrics such as throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and energy consumption.
7. Fault Tolerance and Resilience:
   • Implement and evaluate fault tolerance mechanisms and resilience strategies for virtual network functions.

      Finally, we have concluded how the NFV is implemented in ns-3 by creating Virtual network function.For any of the NFV implementation you can contact us