How to Simulate LAN Protocols Projects Using NS3

To simulate Local Area Network (LAN) protocols in NS3, we can utilize numerous network technologies like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and token ring. Common protocols that might consider simulating include Ethernet, ARP (Address Resolution Protocol), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and others that perform within a LAN environment.

Here’s a guide on how to simulate LAN protocols using NS3:

Steps to Simulate LAN Protocols in NS3:

1. Install NS3: Make sure NS3 is installed on the system.
2. Set Up the LAN Topology: Generate a network topology that demonstrate the LAN using nodes and connections. We can utilize Ethernet or Wi-Fi as the underlying technology.
3. Install the Internet Stack: Utilize the InternetStackHelper to install the necessary protocols that contain TCP/IP, ARP, and others.
4. Configure IP Addressing: Allocate IP addresses to the nodes. For LAN simulations, this can usually be done statically or dynamically using DHCP.
5. Implement Applications for Traffic Generation: Utilize applications such as UDP Echo, HTTP, or FTP to create traffic over the LAN. This enables you to mimic real user activity on the network.
6. Run the Simulation: After configuring the network, execute the simulation to track on how the LAN protocols perform under different conditions.

Example: Simulating Ethernet with ARP in NS3

Here’s a simple sample of simulating an Ethernet LAN with ARP and a UDP Echo application.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main (int argc, char *argv[])

{

// Step 1: Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create (2); // Two nodes in the LAN

// Step 2: Create a point-to-point connection (simulating Ethernet)

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“100Mbps”));

p2p.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices = p2p.Install (nodes);

// Step 3: Install the Internet stack

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install (nodes);

// Step 4: Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

ipv4.SetBase (“192.168.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = ipv4.Assign (devices);

// Step 5: Set up a UDP Echo server on node 1

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer (9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install (nodes.Get (1)); // Server on node 1

serverApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApps.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Step 6: Set up a UDP Echo client on node 0

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient (interfaces.GetAddress (1), 9); // Client sends to server on node 1

echoClient.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (Seconds (1.0)));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“PacketSize”, UintegerValue (1024));

ApplicationContainer clientApps = echoClient.Install (nodes.Get (0)); // Client on node 0

clientApps.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApps.Stop (Seconds (10.0));

// Step 7: Run the simulation

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Key Points:

• ARP Functionality: In this sample, NS3’s Internet stack automatically manages ARP requests and replies. We can track ARP traffic using PCAP or tools such as Wireshark.
• UDP Echo Application: This emulates simple traffic on the LAN; with one node behave a server and the other as a client.

Running the Simulation:

1. Build and Run:

./waf configure

./waf build

./waf –run lan-simulation

2. Simulating DHCP in a LAN

To simulate DHCP, we can generate configure where a DHCP server assigns IP addresses to client nodes dynamically.

Example: Simulating DHCP in NS3

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main (int argc, char *argv[])

{

// Step 1: Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create (3); // One DHCP server and two clients

// Step 2: Create a point-to-point link

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute (“DataRate”, StringValue (“100Mbps”));

p2p.SetChannelAttribute (“Delay”, StringValue (“2ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices = p2p.Install (nodes);

// Step 3: Install the Internet stack

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install (nodes);

// Step 4: Assign IP addresses dynamically (simulating DHCP-like behavior)

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

ipv4.SetBase (“192.168.2.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign (devices); // Assigning addresses to all nodes

// Step 5: Set up a UDP Echo server on the DHCP server node

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer (9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install (nodes.Get (0)); // Server on node 0 (DHCP server)

serverApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApps.Stop (Seconds (20.0));

// Step 6: Set up UDP Echo client on node 1 and node 2

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient (Ipv4Address (“192.168.2.1”), 9); // Assuming client 1 queries the server

echoClient.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (1));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“Interval”, TimeValue (Seconds (1.0)));

echoClient.SetAttribute (“PacketSize”, UintegerValue (512));

ApplicationContainer clientApps1 = echoClient.Install (nodes.Get (1)); // Client on node 1

clientApps1.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApps1.Stop (Seconds (20.0));

echoClient.Install (nodes.Get (2)).Start (Seconds (3.0)).Stop (Seconds (20.0)); // Client on node 2

// Step 7: Run the simulation

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Key Points:

• Simulated DHCP Behavior: This sample replicate DHCP-like IP assignment statically. In practice, a true DHCP server would dynamically allocate IP addresses to clients as they connect.
• UDP Traffic: The UDP echo server-client model permits to track communication over the LAN.

Running the Simulation:

1. Build and Run:

./waf configure

./waf build

./waf –run dhcp-simulation

Summary:

• LAN Protocols: We can replicate numerous LAN protocols such as ARP, DHCP, and Ethernet using NS3.
• ARP can be monitored across UDP applications that invoke IP address resolution.
• DHCP can be emulated to show on how IP addresses are dynamically allocated to devices within a LAN.
• The simulations can be further expanded by adding more complex network scenarios, that has multiple subnets, VLANs, or more sophisticated routing protocols.

In the presented manual, we demonstrate the comprehensive procedures to simulate and execute the Local Area Network that has implementation procedures explanation and sample snippets were given to execute in ns3 tool. Additional specific details regarding the Local Area Network will be provided. We have a dedicated staff to assist you with simulating Internet Service Provider (ISP) protocols projects in NS3.With the support of our team, complete your assignment on time. We have all the resources necessary to provide you with the finest results.