To implement the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) communication in ns3 has contains to mimic the virtual network functions (VNFs) and their orchestration inside a network. This encompasses to generate the network topology where VNFs are implemented on nodes that emulate the interaction among these VNFs, and probably combining the orchestration mechanisms to handle these VNFs enthusiastically. Below is the procedure to implement the NFV communication in ns3:
Step-by-Step Guide to Implement NFV Communication in ns3
Step 1: Set Up ns3 Environment
- Download ns3: Install the ns3 tool.
- Install ns3: Follow the installation instructions for your operating system.
- Familiarize yourself with ns3 basics: Understand how to create nodes, set up channels, and run basic simulations.
Step 2: Define Network Topology
Create a network topology where nodes denote servers running VNFs.
#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;
NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE(“NFVCommunicationSimulation”);
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
CommandLine cmd;
cmd.Parse(argc, argv);
// Create nodes
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(4); // Create 4 nodes representing servers
// Create point-to-point links
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
// Install internet stack
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
// Assign IP addresses
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Schedule applications and simulation
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 3: Create VNF Application
To mimic the VNFs, we will make a custom application that emulates network functions like firewalls, load balancers, or NAT.
Custom VNF Application
#include “ns3/application.h”
#include “ns3/socket.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-address.h”
#include “ns3/inet-socket-address.h”
#include “ns3/log.h”
#include “ns3/random-variable-stream.h”
using namespace ns3;
class VnfApp : public Application
{
public:
static TypeId GetTypeId()
{
static TypeId tid = TypeId(“ns3::VnfApp”)
.SetParent<Application>()
.SetGroupName(“Tutorial”)
.AddConstructor<VnfApp>();
return tid;
}
VnfApp()
{
m_socket = 0;
m_port = 9;
}
void Setup(Ptr<Socket> socket, Ipv4Address peerAddress, uint16_t port)
{
m_socket = socket;
m_peerAddress = peerAddress;
m_port = port;
}
void StartApplication() override
{
m_socket->Bind();
m_socket->Connect(InetSocketAddress(m_peerAddress, m_port));
ScheduleNextPacket();
}
void StopApplication() override
{
if (m_socket)
{
m_socket->Close();
}
}
private:
void ScheduleNextPacket()
{
Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(1.0), &VnfApp::SendPacket, this);
}
void SendPacket()
{
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>(1024); // Simulate a packet
m_socket->Send(packet);
ScheduleNextPacket();
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
Ipv4Address m_peerAddress;
uint16_t m_port;
};
// Main function
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(4); // Create 4 nodes representing servers
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Install VNF applications
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN(); ++i)
{
Ptr<Socket> ns3UdpSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(i), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<VnfApp> app = CreateObject<VnfApp>();
app->Setup(ns3UdpSocket, interfaces.GetAddress((i + 1) % nodes.GetN()), 9);
nodes.Get(i)->AddApplication(app);
app->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
app->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
}
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 4: Simulate NFV Orchestration
To simulate NFV orchestration, we can create a custom application that handles the lifecycle of VNFs, like starting, stopping, and scaling VNFs based on network conditions.
Custom Orchestrator Application
#include “ns3/application.h”
#include “ns3/socket.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-address.h”
#include “ns3/inet-socket-address.h”
#include “ns3/log.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-static-routing-helper.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-static-routing.h”
#include “ns3/ipv4-routing-table-entry.h”
#include “ns3/nstime.h”
using namespace ns3;
class OrchestratorApp : public Application
{
public:
static TypeId GetTypeId()
{
static TypeId tid = TypeId(“ns3::OrchestratorApp”)
.SetParent<Application>()
.SetGroupName(“Tutorial”)
.AddConstructor<OrchestratorApp>();
return tid;
}
OrchestratorApp()
{
m_socket = 0;
}
void Setup(Ptr<Socket> socket, std::vector<Ipv4Address> vnfAddresses, uint16_t port)
{
m_socket = socket;
m_vnfAddresses = vnfAddresses;
m_port = port;
}
void StartApplication() override
{
m_socket->Bind();
ScheduleNextVnf();
}
void StopApplication() override
{
if (m_socket)
{
m_socket->Close();
}
}
private:
void ScheduleNextVnf()
{
Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(5.0), &OrchestratorApp::ManageVnfs, this);
}
void ManageVnfs()
{
// Example logic to start, stop, or scale VNFs
Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>(1024); // Simulate orchestration command
for (Ipv4Address addr : m_vnfAddresses)
{
m_socket->Connect(InetSocketAddress(addr, m_port));
m_socket->Send(packet);
}
// Schedule the next orchestration action
ScheduleNextVnf();
}
Ptr<Socket> m_socket;
std::vector<Ipv4Address> m_vnfAddresses;
uint16_t m_port;
};
// Main function
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
NodeContainer nodes;
nodes.Create(4); // Create 4 nodes representing servers
PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;
pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));
pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));
NetDeviceContainer devices;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
devices.Add(pointToPoint.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get(i + 1)));
}
InternetStackHelper stack;
stack.Install(nodes);
Ipv4AddressHelper address;
address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);
Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);
// Install VNF applications
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
Ptr<Socket> ns3UdpSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(i), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<VnfApp> app = CreateObject<VnfApp>();
app->Setup(ns3UdpSocket, interfaces.GetAddress((i + 1) % nodes.GetN()), 9);
nodes.Get(i)->AddApplication(app);
app->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
app->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
}
// Install Orchestrator application
Ptr<Socket> orchestratorSocket = Socket::CreateSocket(nodes.Get(3), UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());
Ptr<OrchestratorApp> orchestratorApp = CreateObject<OrchestratorApp>();
std::vector<Ipv4Address> vnfAddresses;
for (uint32_t i = 0; i < nodes.GetN() – 1; ++i)
{
vnfAddresses.push_back(interfaces.GetAddress(i));
}
orchestratorApp->Setup(orchestratorSocket, vnfAddresses, 9);
nodes.Get(3)->AddApplication(orchestratorApp);
orchestratorApp->SetStartTime(Seconds(1.0));
orchestratorApp->SetStopTime(Seconds(100.0));
Simulator::Run();
Simulator::Destroy();
return 0;
}
Step 5: Evaluate the Performance
- Run the Simulation:
- Execute the simulation script and perceive the behaviour of VNFs and the orchestrator.
- Analyse the Results:
- Evaluate the orchestration effectiveness, like the response time to scaling actions and the overall network performance.
In the last, we discussed clearly about Network Function Virtualization (NFV) communication inside a network that are implemented on nodes to interact among these VNFs dynamically that is simulated by ns3 implementation tool. In the further we will provide the interesting information about NFV communication.
Our developers delivers unparalleled network NFV Communication implementation in ns3, complemented by performance analysis assistance to guarantee a successful result for your project.