How to Simulate DDoS Attack Projects Using NS2

To simulate a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack using NS2 that has includes configuring a network situation in which several nodes are generate malicious traffic targeted at overwhelming a single server node. The network simulator NS2 permits for in-depth simulation of network protocols and traffic that creating it a good tool to model the effect of DDoS attacks.

Let’s see the detailed guide on how to simulate a DDoS attack using NS2:

Steps to Simulate DDoS Attack Projects in NS2

Step 1: Install NS2

If we haven’t already installed NS2 on the machine then we can follow the installation steps for the operating system. Make certain that NAM (Network Animator) and XGraph are also installed that are helpful for visualization and result plotting.

Step 2: Set Up a Basic Network Topology

In the DDoS simulation, we make a simple network in which numerous attacker nodes are transmit the traffic to a target node (server). Also there will be legitimate nodes to replicate the regular traffic.

Here’s a basic network structure:

• Multiple attackers (Node 1, 2, 3…).
• One server (Node X).
• Optional: Some legitimate clients are transmitting the normal traffic.

Step 3: Create an NS2 TCL Script

A TCL script is utilized within NS2 to describe the network topology, traffic sources, routing, and simulation information. We need to follow these guidelines to describe the script:

1. Define Nodes and Links: Make nodes for attackers, legitimate users, and the server. Configure the links amongst them.
2. Traffic Generation: We can utilize User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to replicate the high-rate traffic used within DDoS attacks.
3. Simulation of Attack Traffic: Make large volumes of traffic from attackers then the regular traffic from legitimate users.

Example of a Basic TCL Script for DDoS Simulation:

# Create a simulator object

set ns [new Simulator]

# Define the network topology

set n1 [$ns node]    ;# Attacker 1

set n2 [$ns node]    ;# Attacker 2

set n3 [$ns node]    ;# Legitimate client

set server [$ns node]  ;# Target server

# Create links between nodes

$ns duplex-link $n1 $server 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $n2 $server 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $n3 $server 1Mb 10ms DropTail

# Define UDP agents for attackers (DDoS attack traffic)

set udp1 [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $n1 $udp1

set udp2 [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $n2 $udp2

# Define CBR (Constant Bit Rate) traffic source for attackers

set cbr1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr1 set packetSize_ 1000   ;# Packet size in bytes

$cbr1 set interval_ 0.01     ;# High rate to simulate attack

$cbr1 attach-agent $udp1

set cbr2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr2 set packetSize_ 1000

$cbr2 set interval_ 0.01

$cbr2 attach-agent $udp2

# Define TCP traffic for legitimate clients

set tcp1 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $n3 $tcp1

set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $server $sink

$ns connect $tcp1 $sink

# Create normal traffic source from legitimate client

set ftp [new Application/FTP]

$ftp attach-agent $tcp1

$ftp set interval_ 0.1   ;# Normal traffic rate

# Start traffic

$ns at 0.5 “$cbr1 start”

$ns at 0.6 “$cbr2 start”

$ns at 1.0 “$ftp start”

# Simulation end

$ns at 5.0 “finish”

proc finish {} {

global ns

$ns flush-trace

exec nam out.nam &

exit 0

}

# Run the simulation

$ns run

Step 4: Run the Simulation

1. We need to save the above TCL script as ddos_simulation.tcl.
2. We can execute the script in NS2:

ns ddos_simulation.tcl

It will make a trace file and a NAM animation file (out.nam). We can envision the network and we observe how the attack impacts the target node.

Step 5: Analyze the Results

1. NAM Visualization: We can open the NAM file to envision the DDoS attack in progress. We should monitor the attacker nodes are transmitting continuous high-rate traffic to the server.

nam out.nam

1. Trace File: The trace file made for the period of the simulation that can be examined for packet drops, delays, and the influence on legitimate traffic. We can write a custom script to investigate the trace data for performance parameters such as throughput, packet loss, and delay.

Step 6: Enhance the Simulation

We can improve this simulation by:

• Adding More Attackers: Maximize the amount of the malicious nodes.
• Varying Traffic Types: For the attackers, we can be utilized other kinds of traffic such as TCP.
• Simulating Defenses: Execute defense mechanisms like firewalls, rate limiting, or Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) in the NS2 model.

Step 7: Evaluate and Measure Impact

• Estimate how the DDoS attack influences the legitimate traffic.
• Examine the performance degradation at the server, such as the amount of dropped packets and the maximized the response time.

In conclusion, this manual will completely walk you through simulation strategy regarding the execution and simulation of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack projects using NS2 simulation environment. Based on your requirements, we ready to provide the additional information of the above projects.

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