To implement the network forensics in ns3 has encompasses to generate the mechanism to gather, evaluate and preserve the network information to analyse the network activities and identify the malevolent actions. The given below are the detailed procedures on how to implement the various kinds of network forensics in ns3:
Step-by-Step Implementation:
Step 1: Set Up ns3 Environment
- Install ns3: Install and download the ns3 in the system.
- Familiarize yourself with ns3: Read through the ns3 tutorial to understand the basic concepts and structure of ns3 simulations.
Step 2: Define the Network Topology
- Create a Simple Network: describe a basic network topology using ns3 and includes creating nodes, setting up channels, and configuring IP addresses.
#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”
using namespace ns3;
int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(4); // Example: 4 nodes (1 server, 2 clients, 1 potential attacker)
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“5Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
devices = pointToPoint.Install(nodes);
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);
ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(0));
serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));
serverApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));
UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(interfaces.GetAddress(0), 9);
echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));
echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));
ApplicationContainer clientApps = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(1));
clientApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));
clientApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 3: Implement Data Collection for Forensics
- Create Packet Capture Application: To improve an application that observes packets for forensic analysis.
class PacketCaptureApp : public Application {
public:
PacketCaptureApp() {}
virtual ~PacketCaptureApp() {}
private:
virtual void StartApplication() {
Ptr<Node> node = GetNode();
Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4 = node->GetObject<Ipv4>();
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < ipv4->GetNInterfaces(); ++i) {
ipv4->GetNetDevice(i)->TraceConnectWithoutContext(“PhyRxEnd”, MakeCallback(&PacketCaptureApp::PacketCaptureCallback, this));
}
}
virtual void StopApplication() {
// Teardown code
}
void PacketCaptureCallback(Ptr<const Packet> packet) {
std::cout << “Captured Packet: ” << *packet << std::endl;
// Store or process the captured packet for forensic analysis
}
};
Attach Packet Capture Application to Nodes: Attach the packet capture application to the nodes where you want to collect network traffic
Ptr<PacketCaptureApp> captureApp = CreateObject<PacketCaptureApp>();
Ptr<Node> serverNode = nodes.Get(0); // Example: Server node
serverNode->AddApplication(captureApp);
captureApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
captureApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
Step 4: Implement Log Analysis for Forensics
- Create Log Analysis Application: To enhance an application that logs network activities for forensic analysis.
class LogAnalysisApp : public Application {
public:
LogAnalysisApp() {}
virtual ~LogAnalysisApp() {}
private:
virtual void StartApplication() {
Ptr<Node> node = GetNode();
Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4 = node->GetObject<Ipv4>();
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < ipv4->GetNInterfaces(); ++i) {
ipv4->GetNetDevice(i)->TraceConnectWithoutContext(“PhyRxEnd”, MakeCallback(&LogAnalysisApp::LogPacket, this));
}
}
virtual void StopApplication() {
// Teardown code
}
void LogPacket(Ptr<const Packet> packet) {
std::ofstream logFile;
logFile.open(“network_log.txt”, std::ios_base::app);
logFile << “Logged Packet: ” << *packet << std::endl;
logFile.close();
}
};
Attach Log Analysis Application to Nodes: Attach the log analysis application to the nodes where you want to log network activities
Ptr<LogAnalysisApp> logApp = CreateObject<LogAnalysisApp>();
Ptr<Node> clientNode = nodes.Get(1); // Example: Client node
clientNode->AddApplication(logApp);
logApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(2.0));
logApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
Step 5: Implement Intrusion Detection for Forensics
- Create Intrusion Detection Application: Develop an application that detects intrusions based on network traffic analysis
class IntrusionDetectionApp : public Application {
public:
IntrusionDetectionApp() {}
virtual ~IntrusionDetectionApp() {}
void SetDetectionCriteria(std::function<bool(Ptr<const Packet>, Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4)> criteria) {
m_criteria = criteria;
}
private:
virtual void StartApplication() {
Ptr<Node> node = GetNode();
Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4 = node->GetObject<Ipv4>();
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < ipv4->GetNInterfaces(); ++i) {
ipv4->GetNetDevice(i)->TraceConnectWithoutContext(“PhyRxEnd”, MakeCallback(&IntrusionDetectionApp::DetectIntrusion, this));
}
}
virtual void StopApplication() {
// Teardown code
}
void DetectIntrusion(Ptr<const Packet> packet) {
if (m_criteria(packet, GetNode()->GetObject<Ipv4>())) {
std::cout << “Intrusion Detected: ” << *packet << std::endl;
// Take appropriate action (e.g., log the intrusion, alert the administrator)
}
}
std::function<bool(Ptr<const Packet>, Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4)> m_criteria;
};
Integrate Intrusion Detection Logic: Define the logic for detecting intrusions and attach the application to the nodes where you want to monitor for intrusions
Ptr<IntrusionDetectionApp> idApp = CreateObject<IntrusionDetectionApp>();
idApp->SetDetectionCriteria([](Ptr<const Packet> packet, Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4) {
// Example intrusion detection logic
Ipv4Header ipv4Header;
packet->PeekHeader(ipv4Header);
Ipv4Address srcAddress = ipv4Header.GetSource();
return srcAddress == Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.3”); // Detect packets from a specific IP address
});
Ptr<Node> serverNode = nodes.Get(0); // Example: Server node
serverNode->AddApplication(idApp);
idApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(2.0));
idApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
Step 6: Simulate and Analyse Results
- Run the Simulation: Execute the simulation to detect the behaviour of the forensic mechanisms
captureApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
captureApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
logApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(2.0));
logApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
idApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(2.0));
idApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(10.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
- Collect Metrics: Gather the performance metrics to evaluate the performance of your forensic mechanisms, like the number of captured packets, logged activities, and detected intrusions.
- Visualize Results: Use tools like Gnuplot or Python’s Matplotlib to visualize the simulation results and analyse the effectiveness of your forensic mechanisms.
In the above setup, the entire execution is given about how to analyse and evaluate the network activities and how to identify the malevolent in the dynamic scenarios. If you need any data regarding the forensic then we will provide it. We specialize in implementing various types of network forensics using the ns3 tool. Our team is here to guide you on how to utilize this tool effectively for your projects, focusing on trending topics. Let us help you brainstorm project ideas and provide performance analysis to enhance your work.