How to Simulate Optical Network Projects Using NS3

To simulate Optical Networks using NS3 has needs to modelling high-speed communication systems that depend on optical fibres and technologies such as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), Dense WDM (DWDM), and Optical Burst Switching (OBS). NS3 doesn’t deliver built-in support for optical networks specifically, however we can mimic key aspects of optical communication using the Point-to-Point module, customized channel properties, and additional modules or extensions.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to simulate Optical Network projects in NS3

Steps to Simulate Optical Networks using NS3

1. Set up NS3 for Optical Networks

NS3 does not natively support full optical network functionalities like WDM or optical switching; however we can prolong NS3 to simulate optical fibres by setting up the Point-to-Point module to denote high-speed optical links.

For advanced simulations, we can utilize external tools or prolong NS3’s existing modules.

2. Basic Simulation of Fiber-Optic Communication

In optical networks, data is routed using light through fiber-optic cables. We can replicate a simple fiber-optic communication link using the Point-to-Point module in NS3, configured to denote the high bandwidth and low latency typical of optical fibers.

Example Code for Simulating a Simple Fiber-Optic Communication Link:

#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 (“OpticalNetworkSimulation”);

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

{

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse (argc, argv);

// Create two nodes representing endpoints in the optical network

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create (2);

// Set up the point-to-point link with fiber-optic characteristics

PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

pointToPoint.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“100Gbps”));  // High-speed link for optical fiber

pointToPoint.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“1ms”));  // Low propagation delay for fiber optics

NetDeviceContainer devices;

devices = pointToPoint.Install (nodes);

// Install the internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install (nodes);

// Assign IP addresses to the devices

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign (devices);

// Set up a UDP echo server on one node

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer (9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install (nodes.Get (1));

serverApp.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApp.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Set up a UDP echo client on the other node

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient (interfaces.GetAddress (1), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1000));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (Seconds (0.1)));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“PacketSize”, UintegerValue (1024));

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install (nodes.Get (0));

clientApp.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApp.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Enable PCAP tracing to capture packets

pointToPoint.EnablePcapAll (“optical-network”);

// Run the simulation

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Explanation of Code:

1. Fiber-Optic Link Setup: The PointToPointHelper is configured to replicate an optical fiber with a high data rate of 100 Gbps and a low propagation delay of 1 ms.
2. Node Setup: Two nodes signify the optical network endpoints that could be routers, switches, or end devices.
3. UDP Communication: A UDP echo server-client application emulates data transmission over the fiber-optic link.
4. Packet Capture: PCAP tracing is permit for packet-level analysis.

3. Simulating Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a essential technology in optical networks, in which multiple channels are routed on different wavelengths over the same fiber. In NS3, we can replicate WDM by configuring multiple point-to-point links, each denotes a different wavelength.

Example Code for WDM Simulation:

#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 (“WDMSimulation”);

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

{

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse (argc, argv);

// Create nodes representing the endpoints of the WDM network

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create (2);

// Set up multiple point-to-point links, each representing a different wavelength

PointToPointHelper wavelength1, wavelength2;

wavelength1.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“40Gbps”));  // First wavelength

wavelength1.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));  // Delay for first wavelength

wavelength2.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“100Gbps”));  // Second wavelength

wavelength2.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));  // Delay for second wavelength

NetDeviceContainer devices1, devices2;

devices1 = wavelength1.Install (nodes);

devices2 = wavelength2.Install (nodes);

// Install internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install (nodes);

// Assign IP addresses for each wavelength

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces1 = ipv4.Assign (devices1);

ipv4.SetBase (“10.1.2.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces2 = ipv4.Assign (devices2);

// Set up UDP servers for both wavelengths

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer1 (9), echoServer2 (10);

ApplicationContainer serverApp1 = echoServer1.Install (nodes.Get (1));

ApplicationContainer serverApp2 = echoServer2.Install (nodes.Get (1));

serverApp1.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApp2.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApp1.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

serverApp2.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Set up UDP clients for both wavelengths

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient1 (interfaces1.GetAddress (1), 9);

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient2 (interfaces2.GetAddress (1), 10);

echoClient1.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1000));

echoClient1.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (Seconds (0.1)));

echoClient1.SetAttribute (“PacketSize”, UintegerValue (1024));

echoClient2.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1000));

echoClient2.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (Seconds (0.1)));

echoClient2.SetAttribute (“PacketSize”, UintegerValue (1024));

ApplicationContainer clientApp1 = echoClient1.Install (nodes.Get (0));

ApplicationContainer clientApp2 = echoClient2.Install (nodes.Get (0));

clientApp1.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApp2.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApp1.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

clientApp2.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Enable PCAP tracing for both wavelengths

wavelength1.EnablePcapAll (“wdm-wavelength1”);

wavelength2.EnablePcapAll (“wdm-wavelength2”);

// Run the simulation

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Explanation of Code:

1. Multiple Wavelengths (Channels): Two point-to-point links are configuring to mimic different wavelengths in a WDM system, with distinct data rates and delays for each channel.
2. Parallel Transmission: Data can be routed over multiple wavelengths in parallel, signify how WDM multiplexes multiple channels over a single fiber.
3. UDP Communication: Each wavelength has its own UDP client-server setup to replicate data flow.
4. IP Addressing: Each wavelength (link) has an isolate IP address range to mimic different logical channels over the same physical fiber.

4. Advanced Optical Network Features
5. Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)

For simulating DWDM, we can expand the WDM example by increasing the number of wavelengths (channels) and adapting data rates to signifies denser channel configurations (e.g., 100+ channels in DWDM).

PointToPointHelper wavelength3, wavelength4;  // Additional wavelengths

wavelength3.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“100Gbps”));

wavelength4.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“200Gbps”));

2. Optical Burst Switching (OBS)

In Optical Burst Switching (OBS), data is grouped into bursts and transfer across an optical network without introducing a dedicated circuit. We can replicate this by adjusting the way data packets are managed in the buffer before transmission.

3. Optical Amplifiers and Attenuation

To Replicate optical amplifiers or signal attenuation, we can design the loss in signal strength over long distances and add optical amplifiers to restore signal power.

4. Ring or Mesh Network Architectures

We can replicate complex optical network topologies such as ring or mesh networks by associating multiple nodes with point-to-point links to signify the interconnection of optical routers or switches.

5. Performance Metrics for Optical Network Simulation

To measure the performance of an optical network, we can evaluate the following metrics:

• Throughput: The total amount of data successfully transmitted over the optical links.
• Latency: The time delay in routing data across the fiber-optic network.
• Packet Loss: Evaluate the number of packets lost because of buffer overflow or network congestion.
• Bit Error Rate (BER): The rate of errors in the course of transmission over optical links, specifically in long-distance scenarios.

6. Run the Simulation

To execute the simulation, compile and run the code with:

./waf –run scratch/optical-network-simulation

./waf –run scratch/wdm-simulation

In this manual, we successfully delivered the simulation procedures to execute the optical network using ns3 tool that includes the examples of fiber-optic communication, WDM setups, and potential extensions for more advanced optical network features. If you did like to know more details regarding this process we will provide it.

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