To implement a next-generation network (NGN) in ns3, we need to follow several steps. For this to be used in future networks simulating advanced networking technologies and protocols are essential. These can include 5G technologies, software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), and advanced quality of service (QoS) mechanisms. The following steps will guide on implementing a basic NGN simulation using ns3.
Step-by-step guide to implement NGN:
- Set Up ns3 Environment
Make sure ns3 installed on the system.
- Create a New Simulation Script
Create a new C++ script for simulation. For this example, we’ll focus on a 5G-like scenario using LTE as a proxy since ns3 has robust support for LTE.
- Include Necessary Headers
Include the necessary ns3 headers in the script.
#include “ns3/core-module.h”
#include “ns3/network-module.h”
#include “ns3/internet-module.h”
#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”
#include “ns3/applications-module.h”
#include “ns3/lte-module.h”
#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”
#include “ns3/config-store-module.h”
4. Define the Network Topology
Set up the basic network topology, including nodes, devices, and links.
using namespace ns3;
NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“NextGenerationNetworkExample”);
int main (int argc, char *argv[]) {
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse (argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer ueNodes;
ueNodes.Create (2); // Two user equipment (UE) nodes
NodeContainer enbNodes;
enbNodes.Create (1); // One eNodeB node
// Set up LTE
Ptr<LteHelper> lteHelper = CreateObject<LteHelper> ();
Ptr<PointToPointEpcHelper> epcHelper = CreateObject<PointToPointEpcHelper> ();
lteHelper->SetEpcHelper (epcHelper);
Ptr<Node> pgw = epcHelper->GetPgwNode ();
// Create a remote host
NodeContainer remoteHostContainer;
remoteHostContainer.Create (1);
Ptr<Node> remoteHost = remoteHostContainer.Get (0);
InternetStackHelper internet;
internet.Install (remoteHostContainer);
// Create the Internet
PointToPointHelper p2ph;
p2ph.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, DataRateValue (DataRate (“100Gbps”)));
p2ph.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, TimeValue (MilliSeconds (10)));
NetDeviceContainer internetDevices = p2ph.Install (pgw, remoteHost);
Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4h;
ipv4h.SetBase (“1.0.0.0”, “255.0.0.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer internetIpIfaces = ipv4h.Assign (internetDevices);
// Set up the IP for the remote host
Ipv4StaticRoutingHelper ipv4RoutingHelper;
Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> remoteHostStaticRouting = ipv4RoutingHelper.GetStaticRouting (remoteHost->GetObject<Ipv4> ());
remoteHostStaticRouting->AddNetworkRouteTo (Ipv4Address (“7.0.0.0”), Ipv4Mask (“255.0.0.0”), 1);
// Install LTE Devices in eNodeB and UEs
NetDeviceContainer enbLteDevs = lteHelper->InstallEnbDevice (enbNodes);
NetDeviceContainer ueLteDevs = lteHelper->InstallUeDevice (ueNodes);
// Install the IP stack on the UEs
internet.Install (ueNodes);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer ueIpIface;
ueIpIface = epcHelper->AssignUeIpv4Address (NetDeviceContainer (ueLteDevs));
// Attach the UEs to the eNodeB
lteHelper->Attach (ueLteDevs, enbLteDevs.Get (0));
// Install and start applications on UEs and remote host
uint16_t dlPort = 1234;
uint16_t ulPort = 2000;
ApplicationContainer clientApps;
ApplicationContainer serverApps;
// Create a PacketSinkApplication and install it on the UEs
PacketSinkHelper packetSinkHelper (“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress (Ipv4Address::GetAny (), dlPort));
serverApps.Add (packetSinkHelper.Install (ueNodes.Get (0)));
// Create a UdpClientApplication and install it on the remote host
UdpClientHelper dlClient (ueIpIface.GetAddress (0), dlPort);
dlClient.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (MilliSeconds (10)));
dlClient.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1000000));
clientApps.Add (dlClient.Install (remoteHost));
// Install and start applications on UEs and remote host
serverApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));
clientApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));
// Set up mobility
MobilityHelper mobility;
mobility.SetMobilityModel (“ns3::ConstantPositionMobilityModel”);
mobility.Install (enbNodes);
mobility.SetPositionAllocator (“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,
“MinX”, DoubleValue (0.0),
“MinY”, DoubleValue (0.0),
“DeltaX”, DoubleValue (5.0),
“DeltaY”, DoubleValue (10.0),
“GridWidth”, UintegerValue (3),
“LayoutType”, StringValue (“RowFirst”));
mobility.SetMobilityModel (“ns3::ConstantPositionMobilityModel”);
mobility.Install (ueNodes);
// Enable pcap tracing
p2ph.EnablePcapAll (“next-generation-network”);
// Run simulation
Simulator::Stop (Seconds (10.0));
Simulator::Run ();
Simulator::Destroy ();
return 0;
}
Explanation
- Network Topology: The script sets up a basic LTE network with one eNodeB and two UEs, connected to the Internet through a PGW (Packet Gateway).
- LTE Setup: UEs are attached to the eNodeB. The LteHelper and PointToPointEpcHelper are used to set up the LTE network.
- Internet Setup: To simulate a server in the Internet, a remote host is connected to the PGW.
- Applications: A UDP client is installed on the remote host to send data to the UEs, and a PacketSink application is installed on the UEs to receive the data.
- Mobility: The eNodeB and UEs are given fixed positions using the ConstantPositionMobilityModel.
- PCAP Tracing: For analysis, PCAP tracing is enabled to capture packets.
5. Build and Run the Script
Save the script and build it using the ns3 build system (waf).
./waf configure
./waf build
./waf –run next-generation-network
Extending the Example
You can extend this example to include more advanced NGN features such as:
- 5G NR (New Radio): To simulate 5G networks, we ca use the ns3 mmWave module.
- Software-Defined Networking (SDN): Integrate ns3 with an SDN controller to manage network flows dynamically.
- Network Function Virtualization (NFV): Simulate virtualized network functions and their orchestration.
- Advanced QoS: To prioritize different types of traffic we have to implement advanced QoS mechanisms.
An example given on how to set up an SDN controller with OpenFlow in ns3:
#include “ns3/openflow-module.h”
// Add this to the includes section
// In your main function, after setting up the network devices and installing the internet stack
// Create an SDN controller
Ptr<Node> controllerNode = CreateObject<Node> ();
InternetStackHelper internet;
internet.Install (controllerNode);
OpenFlowSwitchHelper ofSwitch;
Ptr<OFSwitch13Helper> of13Helper = CreateObject<OFSwitch13Helper> ();
ofSwitch.Install (nodes, NetDeviceContainer (devices), of13Helper);
Ptr<ns3::ofi::OFSwitch13Device> ofDevice = of13Helper->GetSwitch (nodes.Get (0)->GetDevice (0)->GetIfIndex ());
ofDevice->SetController (of13Helper->InstallController (controllerNode));
// Continue with the rest of the script
In this example, the OpenFlowSwitchHelper is used to set up an SDN controller that manages the network devices using the OpenFlow protocol.
From this instruction and example provided above we had completely learnt about the network next generation implement process in ns3 and the terms involved in it for simulating the NGN through ns3 environment.
For setting up and implementing Next Generation networks in ns3 we give you good guidance. Our services include simulating 5G technologies, software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), and advanced quality of service (QoS) for your projects. Share your research details with ns3simulation.com, and we will offer valuable guidance on comparitive analysis.