To simulate classful routing protocol projects using OPNET (Riverbed Modeler), we require to include configuring a network, which utilizes classful protocols that function without subnet masks in its routing updates that following to predefined IP classes (A, B, and C). Classful protocols such as Routing Information Protocol version 1 (RIPv1) and Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) were between the first IP-based routing protocols however not support modern subnetting. We adhere the below instruction to configuring and replicating classful protocols in OPNET:
Steps to Simulate Classful Routing Protocol Projects in OPNET
- Define Project Objectives and Scope
- Determine the focus of the classful protocol simulation: Goals could contain assessing route convergence, monitoring limitations by reason of lack of subnet support, examining routing updates, and then learning protocol scalability in simple networks.
- Set performance metrics: Parameters to deliberate involve convergence time, packet delivery ratio, routing overhead, end-to-end delay, and scalability limits.
- Design the Network Topology
- Set up a network with routers and subnets: Make a network with routers and subnets using class A, B, or C IP addresses with the help of OPNET’s graphical interface.
- Define network segments: Allocate an IP addresses depends on classes such as 10.x.x.x for Class A, 172.16.x.x for Class B, 192.168.x.x for Class C without utilizing subnet masks, as classful protocols do not support Variable Length Subnet Masking (VLSM).
- Enable and Configure a Classful Routing Protocol on Routers
- Choose a classful protocol: Choose a classful protocol such as RIPv1 or IGRP that does not distribute the subnet masks within routing updates.
- Configure RIPv1 Parameters:
- Update Interval: Configure the RIPv1 for periodic routing update interval (default is 30 seconds).
- Hop Count Limit: Set the maximum hop count to 15, as RIPv1 supports a limit of 15 hops before a route is deliberated unreachable.
- Timers: Modify timers, which comprising route invalidation, hold-down, and garbage collection, to manage how rapidly routes are updated and eliminated.
- Configure IGRP Parameters (if available in your OPNET version):
- Set IGRP metrics like the update interval, hold time, and maximum hop count.
- Set up composite metrics according to the factors such as bandwidth, delay, and reliability, as IGRP uses numerous parameters within route calculation.
- Simulate Application Traffic
- Generate data traffic: Utilize OPNET’s traffic generators to make application traffic such as HTTP, FTP among the nodes over diverse IP classes.
- Define source and destination pairs: Configure source and destination pairs, which need routing via numerous hops to investigate how the classful protocol handles the routing in multiple network segments.
- Monitor Routing Behavior and Protocol Limitations
- Observe routing updates:
- Monitor periodic RIPv1 or IGRP updates to know on how routers distribute routing data and update its tables.
- Check that routers do not transmit subnet information in its updates, as classful protocols only operate with default class A, B, or C networks.
- Analyze hop counts:
- For RIPv1, monitor how routes with hop counts suspassing the 15-hop limit are marked as inaccessible.
- Routing table stability:
- Observe routing table modifications to know how RIPv1 or IGRP stabilizes within networks along with frequent topology changes.
- Simulate Network Events and Observe Protocol Response
- Link and Node Failures:
- Detach a link or switch off a router to replicate a failure and then monitor how RIPv1 or IGRP manages the route invalidation and recovery.
- Assess convergence time as routers adjust to the modification and broadcast updates.
- Network Scalability:
- Maximize the network size to estimate the scalability limits that monitoring how classful routing protocols manage the larger networks without subnetting support.
- Traffic Congestion:
- Maximize traffic load to experiment how successfully the protocol handles traffic in situations with limited route flexibility by reason of classful addressing.
- Collect and Analyze Performance Metrics
- Packet Delivery Ratio: Estimate the percentage of effectively delivered packets, which indicating the reliability of protocol.
- End-to-End Delay: Monitor the duration for packets to move from source to destination that deliberating delays from routing updates.
- Routing Overhead: Compute the protocol’s overhead from periodic updates that influence the obtainable bandwidth particularly in larger networks.
- Convergence Time: Evaluate the duration for the protocol to attain a stable routing state after a network change.
- Hop Count and Path Efficiency: For RIPv1, monitor the hop counts in routing tables making sure routes do not surpass the maximum limit.
- Experiment with Protocol Parameters and Network Conditions (Optional)
- Adjust Update Intervals: Change the update intervals and other timer values to monitor its impact on convergence and overhead.
- Increase Node Count: Increase the network size with more routers and nodes to learn the protocol scalability and limitations in managing larger routing tables.
- Simulate High Mobility: If experimenting in a mobile network then replicate the node movement to calculate ability of the protocol to sustain connectivity without subnetting flexibility.
- Generate Reports and Document Findings
- Create Visualizations: Make graphs and tables are indicating parameters like packet delivery ratio, delay, routing overhead, and convergence times utilize OPNET’s analysis tools.
- Summarize Observations: Record protocol strengths and limitations, particularly observing the influence of classful addressing, lack of subnetting, scalability challenges, and protocol efficiency.
Additional Considerations
- Compare with Classless Protocols: If applicable then we compare RIPv1 or IGRP with classless protocols such as RIPv2 or OSPF to emphasize the influence of subnetting support and scalability within modern networks.
- Energy Efficiency: In IoT or sensor networks, examine the influence of frequent routing updates on energy usage that especially in battery-powered nodes.
Detailed, sequential steps for replicating and examining the Classful Protocol projects using OPNET have been offered. We’re ready to include more details and additional concepts, if necessary.
Maintain communication with phdprime.com, where our team is dedicated to providing you with optimal outcomes. We specialize in Classful Protocol Projects utilizing the OPNET tool, so please share your details with us, and we will assist you in achieving the best results.
