To simulate mesh protocols in NS2 has needs to configure a network in which the nodes communicate with each other in a mesh topology. In mesh networks, nodes perform as both routers and clients, forwarding information on behalf of other nodes. Common mesh protocols that contain Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP), AODV, and other routing mechanisms those are appropriate for multi-hop wireless communication.
Here’s a guide on how to simulate mesh protocols projects using NS2:
Steps to Simulate Mesh Protocols Projects in NS2
- Install NS2
Make sure that NS2 is installed on the system. we can download it from the NS2 official website.
- Choose a Mesh Routing Protocol
Protocols that operates well in mesh networks that involve:
- HWMP (Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol), the default protocol for IEEE 802.11s mesh networks.
- AODV (Ad-hoc On-Demand Distance Vector), that identify routes on demand in mobile ad-hoc networks.
- OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing Protocol), a proactive routing protocol for wireless mesh networks.
For this example, we will simulate AODV in a mesh network.
- Set up a Mesh Network Topology
In a mesh network, all nodes are interrelated and can depend on the data for each other. Here is how to configure a basic mesh topology with AODV in NS2.
Example TCL Script for Mesh Network Using AODV:
# Create a new simulator instance
set ns [new Simulator]
# Define trace and nam files for logging and visualization
set tracefile [open mesh_simulation.tr w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
set namfile [open mesh_simulation.nam w]
$ns namtrace-all $namfile
# Set up network parameters (wireless channel, propagation, MAC, etc.)
set val(chan) Channel/WirelessChannel ;# Channel type
set val(prop) Propagation/TwoRayGround ;# Propagation model
set val(netif) Phy/WirelessPhy ;# Network interface type
set val(mac) Mac/802_11 ;# MAC type
set val(ifq) Queue/DropTail/PriQueue ;# Interface queue type
set val(ll) LL ;# Link layer type
set val(ant) Antenna/OmniAntenna ;# Antenna type
set val(x) 1000 ;# X dimension (network size)
set val(y) 1000 ;# Y dimension
# Configure nodes to use AODV protocol
$ns node-config -adhocRouting AODV \
-llType $val(ll) \
-macType $val(mac) \
-ifqType $val(ifq) \
-antType $val(ant) \
-propType $val(prop) \
-phyType $val(netif) \
-channelType $val(chan)
# Create mesh nodes
set n0 [$ns node] ;# Node 0
set n1 [$ns node] ;# Node 1
set n2 [$ns node] ;# Node 2
set n3 [$ns node] ;# Node 3
set n4 [$ns node] ;# Node 4
# Set initial positions for nodes
$n0 set X_ 100; $n0 set Y_ 200; $n0 set Z_ 0.0
$n1 set X_ 200; $n1 set Y_ 300; $n1 set Z_ 0.0
$n2 set X_ 300; $n2 set Y_ 400; $n2 set Z_ 0.0
$n3 set X_ 400; $n3 set Y_ 500; $n3 set Z_ 0.0
$n4 set X_ 500; $n4 set Y_ 600; $n4 set Z_ 0.0
# Optionally, enable mobility for the nodes
$ns at 5.0 “$n0 setdest 400 300 10.0” ;# Move node 0
$ns at 5.0 “$n1 setdest 300 400 12.0” ;# Move node 1
In this setup:
- AODV is utilized to identify routes dynamically by way of nodes communicate.
- Nodes are mobile, and their positions are updated over time.
- Set up Traffic in the Mesh Network
Once the mesh network is configured, we can replicate traffic among the nodes to validate the mesh protocol. Typically, TCP or UDP traffic is utilized.
Example for TCP Traffic:
# Set up TCP connection between node 0 and node 4
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
$ns at 2.0 “$ftp0 start”
$ns at 10.0 “$ftp0 stop”
Example for UDP Traffic (CBR):
# Set up UDP communication between node 1 and node 3
set udp0 [new Agent/UDP]
set null0 [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $n1 $udp0
$ns attach-agent $n3 $null0
# Generate CBR traffic over UDP
set cbr0 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr0 set packetSize_ 512
$cbr0 set rate_ 100kb
$cbr0 attach-agent $udp0
$ns at 3.0 “$cbr0 start”
$ns at 12.0 “$cbr0 stop”
- Run the Simulation
Once TCL script is ready (e.g., mesh_simulation.tcl), execute the simulation using NS2:
ns mesh_simulation.tcl
This will create trace files (.tr) and NAM files (.nam) that we can evaluate and envision in Network Animator (NAM).
- Analyse the Simulation Results
We can evaluate parameters like:
- Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR)
- End-to-End Delay
- Routing Overhead
- Throughput
Example AWK Script for Packet Delivery Ratio:
BEGIN { sent = 0; received = 0; }
{
if ($1 == “s” && $4 == “AGT”) { sent++; }
if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “AGT”) { received++; }
}
END { print “Packet Delivery Ratio = “, received/sent*100, “%”; }
This script will estimate the packet delivery ratio according to the number of packets sent and received.
- Example Project Ideas for Mesh Protocol Simulation
- Performance Comparison of AODV and HWMP in Mesh Networks:
- Replicate both AODV and HWMP protocols and relate their performance based on packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and routing overhead.
- Energy-Efficient Mesh Protocols:
- Execute energy-aware routing parameter in a mesh protocol and measure on how energy consumption impacts network lifetime and performance.
- Mesh Network Performance in Dynamic Environments:
- Replicate a highly dynamic environment (with node mobility) and measure on how the mesh protocol adjusts to frequent topology changes.
- QoS in Mesh Networks:
- Execute QoS mechanisms like traffic prioritization in a mesh network and measure its impacts on throughput and packet loss for diverse types of traffic.
By using the ns2 tool, we performed a comprehensive mesh protocol project analysis through the simulation procedure that is given above and basically it is used to transmit the information to other nodes in the mesh network. Additional information will be provided if needed. If you are encountering difficulties in achieving optimal project performance, our team is available to assist you. We provide comprehensive guidance to facilitate the recreation of Mesh Protocols Projects tailored to your specific requirements. At phdprime.com, you can access a systematic approach to Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP) within NS2, along with a selection of the most relevant research topics and an impeccable writing service.
