To simulate 5G network slicing within NS2 (Network Simulator 2), which needs making virtual networks on top of a shared physical infrastructure to allow separate network slices for distinct services (e.g., eMBB, URLLC, mMTC). Even though NS2 does not natively support 5G network slicing, we can mimic a basic version by prolonging NS2’s functionality. We could require to model several slices with distinct Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, bandwidth allocation, and traffic prioritization. The following is a guide on how to approach simulating 5G network slicing projects using NS2.
Steps to Simulate 5G Network Slicing in NS2
- Install NS2:
Make certain that NS2 is installed and running on the system. We can download NS2 from here.
- Understand the Concept of Network Slicing:
In 5G, network slicing is utilized to make virtualized and isolated networks, called as slices, which share the similar physical infrastructure however are optimized for particular kinds of services. The three significant slices are:
- eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband): Needs high bandwidth and low latency.
- URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication): Requires too low latency and high reliability.
- mMTC (Massive Machine-Type Communication): Supports massive IoT connections, concentrating on low data rates and high connection density.
In NS2, we can replicate these slices by allocating distinct traffic types (e.g., CBR, FTP, TCP) and describing particular QoS parameters such as bandwidth, delay, and priority for each slice.
- Define Network Topology:
Make a network topology in NS2 that contains a core network and radio access network (RAN) nodes. Each network slice will be denoted by traffic flows, which have distinct QoS requirements.
Example of defining a basic network topology:
set ns [new Simulator]
# Create core network and access network nodes
set coreNode [$ns node]
set accessNode1 [$ns node]
set accessNode2 [$ns node]
# Set up links between core and access nodes
$ns duplex-link $coreNode $accessNode1 100Mb 5ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $coreNode $accessNode2 100Mb 5ms DropTail
- Implement Multiple Network Slices:
We can denote distinct network slices by replicating several traffic types with changing QoS characteristics. For instance, each slice can be modeled as a distinct queue with particular bandwidth, latency, and scheduling policies.
4.1 Slice for eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband):
- Bandwidth Requirement: High
- Latency: Low
- Traffic Type: FTP or Video Streaming (simulated as TCP traffic)
Example of configuring eMBB slice:
# Define a high-bandwidth TCP flow for eMBB
set tcp1 [new Agent/TCP]
set sink1 [new Agent/TCPSink]
$ns attach-agent $accessNode1 $tcp1
$ns attach-agent $accessNode2 $sink1
$ns connect $tcp1 $sink1
# Set FTP application to simulate large data transfers
set ftp1 [new Application/FTP]
$ftp1 attach-agent $tcp1
$ftp1 set packetSize_ 1500
$ftp1 set maxpkts_ 10000
4.2 Slice for URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication):
- Bandwidth Requirement: Moderate
- Latency: Very low
- Traffic Type: CBR (Constant Bit Rate) with strict delay requirements
Example of configuring URLLC slice:
# Define a low-latency CBR flow for URLLC
set udp1 [new Agent/UDP]
set null1 [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $accessNode1 $udp1
$ns attach-agent $accessNode2 $null1
$ns connect $udp1 $null1
# Set CBR application to simulate real-time traffic
set cbr1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr1 set packetSize_ 500
$cbr1 set interval_ 0.001 ;# 1ms interval for low-latency
$cbr1 attach-agent $udp1
4.3 Slice for mMTC (Massive Machine-Type Communication):
- Bandwidth Requirement: Low
- Latency: Moderate
- Traffic Type: CBR with low data rates
Example of configuring mMTC slice:
# Define a low-data-rate CBR flow for mMTC
set udp2 [new Agent/UDP]
set null2 [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $accessNode1 $udp2
$ns attach-agent $accessNode2 $null2
$ns connect $udp2 $null2
# Set CBR application to simulate low-data IoT traffic
set cbr2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr2 set packetSize_ 100
$cbr2 set interval_ 1.0 ;# Low data rate (1 packet per second)
$cbr2 attach-agent $udp2
- Assign QoS to Each Slice:
In NS2, QoS can be replicated by allocating distinct priority queues or setting up DropTail and RED (Random Early Detection) policies to prioritize distinct kinds of traffic (network slices).
Example of QoS configuration for each slice:
# Configure link parameters for eMBB (high bandwidth)
$ns queue-limit $coreNode $accessNode1 100 ;# Increase queue limit for eMBB traffic
# Prioritize URLLC traffic using priority queuing
Queue/PriQueue set limit_ 50
Queue/PriQueue set bandwidth_ 50Mb
# Set bandwidth limits for each slice
$ns duplex-link-op $coreNode $accessNode1 queueOption Limit
$ns duplex-link-op $coreNode $accessNode2 queueOption Limit
- Scheduling and Traffic Prioritization:
In a real 5G network slicing configuration, we could utilize distinct scheduling algorithms (e.g., Weighted Fair Queuing) to assign resources between slices. In NS2, we can use a combination of traffic shaping and queuing methods to mimic scheduling.
Example of traffic shaping and scheduling:
# Configure traffic shaping for eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC slices
Queue/DropTail/PriQueue set bandwidth_ 100Mb
$ns queue-limit $coreNode $accessNode1 50 ;# Higher queue for eMBB
$ns queue-limit $coreNode $accessNode2 25 ;# Moderate queue for URLLC and mMTC
- Run the Simulation:
When the script is ready then we can run the simulation using NS2. It will make a trace file and a NAM file for visualization and analysis.
Run the simulation:
ns 5g_slicing_simulation.tcl
To envision the network topology and packet flows we can open the NAM file:
nam out.nam
- Analyze Results:
We can examine the trace file generated from the simulation to estimate the performance of distinct network slices. Important parameters to investigate involve:
- Throughput: Calculate the data rate for each slice (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC).
- Latency: Estimate the delay experienced by URLLC traffic.
- Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Compute the success rate of packets delivered.
- Queue Lengths: Monitor the queue lengths to know resource allocation.
- Advanced Features (Optional):
- Dynamic Resource Allocation: Execute dynamic bandwidth allocation according to the traffic demand for each slice.
- Mobility Support: Insert mobility to replicate user equipment (UE) moving across the network slices.
- Failure Recovery: Mimic slice separation and failure recovery mechanisms within the 5G network.
We had understood the key concepts and techniques to simulate the 5G Network slicing projects and evaluate the outcomes using NS2 tool. If desired, we will also be offered more insights relevant to this projects.
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