To simulate Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) in NS2 has needs to configure a network that incorporates MPLS functionality into the simulation. MPLS can supports to enhance the effectiveness and performance of packet forwarding by using labels to create forwarding decisions rather than IP addresses. Send us all your project details we will assure you with good simulation guidance and best research ideas and project topics.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to simulate MPLS in NS2.
Steps to Simulate MPLS Protocol Projects in NS2
- Install NS2 with MPLS Support
By default NS2 does not consist of MPLS support. We need to install an MPLS patch or an NS2 version that contain MPLS. NS2.1b8a is known to support MPLS, and there are numerous MPLS patches available for NS2.35.
- Download a version of NS2 that supports MPLS or a patch that can incoporate MPLS functionality.
- Install NS2 following the normal installation process or implement the patch and recompile NS2.
Example Steps to Install the MPLS Patch:
# Move into the ns-allinone-2.35 directory
cd ns-allinone-2.35/ns-2.35/
# Apply the MPLS patch (if you have one)
patch -p1 < mpls-patch.diff
# Rebuild NS2
./configure
make clean
make
- Configure MPLS Nodes and Links
Once MPLS is installed, we can begin to configure MPLS nodes in simulation. MPLS operates by assigning labels to packets, enabling faster forwarding decisions at intermediate routers.
Example TCL Script for MPLS Setup:
# Create a new simulator instance
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define trace and nam files
set tracefile [open mpls_simulation.tr w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
set namfile [open mpls_simulation.nam w]
$ns namtrace-all $namfile
# Create MPLS-enabled nodes
set n0 [$ns node]
set n1 [$ns node]
set n2 [$ns node]
set n3 [$ns node]
set n4 [$ns node]
# Enable MPLS on the nodes
$n0 label-switching true
$n1 label-switching true
$n2 label-switching true
$n3 label-switching true
$n4 label-switching true
# Create MPLS-enabled duplex links between nodes
$ns duplex-link $n0 $n1 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n1 $n2 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n2 $n3 1Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n3 $n4 1Mb 10ms DropTail
- Define MPLS Labels and Forwarding Tables
MPLS operate by labelling packets at ingress routers and using label switching at intermediate routers. To replicate this, we required to set up MPLS labels and routing tables.
# Define MPLS labels at ingress node (n0)
$n0 add-label-entry 100 110 1
$n1 add-label-entry 110 120 2
$n2 add-label-entry 120 130 3
$n3 add-label-entry 130 140 4
- Define Traffic Sources
We can set up TCP or UDP traffic for MPLS network. Here’s how to configure a TCP connection with FTP traffic between nodes.
# Set up TCP agents on nodes
set tcp0 [new Agent/TCP]
set sink0 [new Agent/TCPSink]
$ns attach-agent $n0 $tcp0
$ns attach-agent $n4 $sink0
$ns connect $tcp0 $sink0
# Create FTP traffic over TCP
set ftp0 [new Application/FTP]
$ftp0 attach-agent $tcp0
$ns at 1.0 “$ftp0 start”
$ns at 10.0 “$ftp0 stop”
For UDP traffic, you can use CBR (Constant Bit Rate):
# Set up UDP agents
set udp0 [new Agent/UDP]
set null0 [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $n0 $udp0
$ns attach-agent $n4 $null0
# Create CBR traffic over UDP
set cbr0 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr0 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr0 set interval_ 0.01
$cbr0 attach-agent $udp0
$ns at 2.0 “$cbr0 start”
- Simulating Label-Switched Paths (LSPs)
In MPLS, Label-Switched Paths (LSPs) are generated to forward packets. The ingress node (n0) pushes a label onto the packet, and each intermediate router switches according to the label.
To simulate an LSP in NS2:
# Define an LSP from node n0 to node n4 via intermediate nodes
$n0 add-lsp 100 1
$n1 add-lsp 110 2
$n2 add-lsp 120 3
$n3 add-lsp 130 4
This makes sure that packets follow the defined path via the network.
- Run the Simulation
Save the TCL script (e.g., mpls_simulation.tcl) and execute the simulation using NS2:
ns mpls_simulation.tcl
- Analyse the Simulation Results
We can measure the outcomes using the trace file (.tr) and envision the network using the NAM file (.nam). Key parameters to deliberate in MPLS simulations that involves:
- Throughput
- End-to-End Delay
- Packet Loss
- Label-Switching Efficiency
We can utilize AWK or Python scripts to execute the trace files. Here’s an instance AWK script for estimating throughput:
BEGIN { recvBytes = 0; startTime = 0; endTime = 0; }
{
if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “AGT”) {
recvBytes += $7;
if (startTime == 0) startTime = $2;
endTime = $2;
}
}
END { throughput = (recvBytes * 8) / (endTime – startTime) / 1024; print “Throughput = “, throughput, “Kbps”; }
- Example Project Ideas for MPLS in NS2
- Performance Comparison Between MPLS and Traditional IP Routing:
- Mimic a network with and without MPLS and compare their performance in terms of throughput, delay, and packet loss.
- MPLS Traffic Engineering Simulation:
- Utilize MPLS to configure traffic engineering by describing certain paths (LSPs) for different kinds of traffic and evaluate how MPLS enhance network performance.
- QoS (Quality of Service) in MPLS Networks:
- Replicate MPLS with QoS characteristics to select particular traffic flows such as VoIP or video streaming and evaluate on how it impacts delay and packet loss.
- MPLS in Mobile Networks:
- Execute MPLS in a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) environment and measure its performance in high mobility.
- MPLS with Fast Reroute Mechanism:
- Implement MPLS with fast reroute capabilities to evaluate its effectiveness in managing link failures and minimizing packet loss in the period of network outages.
Through the entire process, you can acquire the simulation and execution process regarding the Multiprotocol Label Switching project offered in it using ns2 tool. We will plan to offer the more information regarding the Multiprotocol Label Switching in another manual.
