How to Simulate OSPF Routing Projects Using OMNeT++

To simulate Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) routing in OMNeT++, we can leverage the INET framework that delivers an implementation of OSPF. For best project enquires we at phdprime.com will serve you right with detailed simulation  results.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to configures and simulate OSPF routing projects using OMNeT++.

Steps to Simulate OSPF Routing Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Set up OMNeT++ and INET
  • Install OMNeT++: Download and install the latest version of OMNeT++.
  • Install INET Framework: INET is an extension for OMNeT++ that covers numerous network protocol models, that includes OSPF. We can either download it from INET GitHub or utilize OMNeT++’s package manager to install it.
    • Once installed, ensure to compile the INET framework before initiating the project.
  1. Understand OSPF in INET

INET deliver a fully functional OSPF implementation that enables you to simulate OSPF in different kinds of networks like IP-based networks. OSPF utilize Link-State Routing and identify the shortest path among routers by building a routing table according to link state advertisements (LSAs).

  1. Create a New OMNeT++ Project
  • Create a new OMNeT++ project in IDE (Eclipse or command-line).
  • Link to the INET framework: In project, ensure the INET framework is referenced. we can do this by adjusting the .oppfeatures file or adding the INET package in project dependencies.
  1. Design the Network Topology

Utilize the NED (Network Description) language to generate a network topology with multiple routers, where OSPF will execute. Describe the nodes (routers and hosts) and how they are linked.

Here’s an instance NED file for a simple OSPF-based network:

network OspfNetwork

{

parameters:

@display(“bgb=800,600”);

submodules:

routerA: Router {

@display(“i=abstract/router”);

}

routerB: Router {

@display(“i=abstract/router”);

}

hostA: StandardHost {

@display(“i=device/pc”);

}

hostB: StandardHost {

@display(“i=device/pc”);

}

connections:

routerA.pppg++ <–> PointToPointLink <–> routerB.pppg++;

hostA.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> routerA.ethg++;

hostB.ethg++ <–> EthernetLink <–> routerB.ethg++;

}

  • Router: A network node that will execute an OSPF.
  • StandardHost: denotes an end-host such as a PC or server associated to a router.
  1. Configure OSPF on the Routers

To allow OSPF on the routers, we need to set up their network interfaces in the .ini configuration file. Here’s how we can set up the routing protocols and OSPF parameters.

Example omnetpp.ini file:

network = OspfNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

*.routerA.hasOspf = true

*.routerB.hasOspf = true

*.routerA.routingTable.ospfRouterId = “192.168.1.1”

*.routerB.routingTable.ospfRouterId = “192.168.1.2”

# OSPF area configuration (0.0.0.0 is the default area)

*.routerA.ospf.areaConfig[0] = “0.0.0.0”

*.routerB.ospf.areaConfig[0] = “0.0.0.0”

# OSPF network interfaces on routers

*.routerA.ospf.interfaceConfig[0].interface = “ppp0”

*.routerB.ospf.interfaceConfig[0].interface = “ppp0”

  • hasOspf: Enables OSPF on the routers.
  • ospfRouterId: Unique OSPF router ID for each router.
  • areaConfig: Specifies the OSPF area to which the router interfaces belong (typically 0.0.0.0 for the default area).
  • interfaceConfig: Defines which network interface OSPF runs on (e.g., ppp0, eth0, etc.).
  1. OSPF Link-State Advertisements (LSAs) and Routing

OSPF operates by interchanging LSAs between routers to sustain an updated view of the network topology. The routers in network will:

  • Discover neighbors.
  • Interchange LSAs to build the link-state database.
  • Estimate the shortest paths using the Dijkstra algorithm.

INET manage these OSPF operations, so we don’t need to execute the protocol from scratch.

  1. Simulate the Network

After configuring the NED and .ini files, you can:

  • Run the simulation in OMNeT++.
  • Monitor how OSPF builds the routing tables and directs traffic among hosts using the shortest paths.
  1. Analyse Simulation Results

We can utilize OMNeT++’s tools to envision and measure the routing decisions, packet flow, and network performance:

  • Use Qtenv or Tkenv to monitor real-time simulation events.
  • Check the routing tables at the routers to see how OSPF computes routes.
  • Capture and inspect packet traces (using the built-in packet logger).

Example Routing Table Output

During the simulation, we can view the OSPF routing tables that will be built enthusiastically according to the shortest paths. This demonstrates on how OSPF utilize link-state information to estimate paths among routers.

  1. Extending the Project

We can expand the basic OSPF simulation by:

  • Adding more routers and hosts to generate a larger network.
  • Replicate network failures (e.g., link failures) to monitor on how OSPF reacts and recalculates routes.
  • Establishing multiple OSPF areas to replicate more complex OSPF behaviour, like inter-area routing.
  1. OSPF Metrics and Performance Analysis

We can measure network parameters like:

  • Convergence time (how long it takes for OSPF to join after a topology change).
  • Routing overhead (the quantity of OSPF control packets interchanged).
  • Packet delivery ratio (how efficiently data is transmitted in the network).

Example Project File Structure

OspfSimulation/

├── src/

│   └── OspfNetwork.ned        # Network topology

│   └── CustomOspfRouting.cc   # (Optional) Custom OSPF routing logic

├── omnetpp.ini                # Simulation configuration

└── Makefile                   # Build file

By following these steps, we can simulate OSPF-based networks in OMNeT++ and evaluate their performance.

We presented an example-driven simple methodology to open shortest path routing project that were simulated and executed successfully using OMNeT++ tool including sample snippets. If you did like to know more details regarding this project we will offer it.

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