How to Simulate Mesh Protocols Projects Using NS3

To simulate mesh protocols in NS3, we can utilize the Wi-Fi Mesh (IEEE 802.11s) module that is certainly intended for wireless mesh networking. Mesh networks permits nodes to interact with each other dynamically without necessitating a fixed infrastructure, making them useful for decentralized communication, particularly in wireless sensor networks, urban Wi-Fi, or ad-hoc networks.

Here’s how you can simulate mesh protocols projects using NS3:

Steps to Simulate Mesh Networks in NS3:

1. Install NS3: Ensure NS3 is installed on the system.
2. Set up Wi-Fi Mesh Nodes: NS3 has built-in support for IEEE 802.11s mesh networks. We will utilize the MeshHelper class to configure mesh nodes in the network.
3. Choose a Mesh Routing Protocol: IEEE 802.11s supports routing protocols such as HWMP (Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol) by default. We can also execute or simulate other mesh routing protocols like OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing) or AODV (Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector).
4. Configure the Mesh Network: Configure the wireless mesh topology by describing the nodes, installing the mesh protocol, and forming network settings.
5. Generate Traffic: Utilize applications such as UDP Echo or TCP to create traffic among the nodes in the mesh network.
6. Run the Simulation: After set up the network, execute the simulation to monitor how the mesh protocol manages communication among nodes.

Example: Simulating IEEE 802.11s Mesh Protocol in NS3

Here’s a basic sample to show you on how to simulate a mesh network using IEEE 802.11s in NS3.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/mesh-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE (“MeshSimulation”);

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

{

// Step 1: Set up the command-line interface

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse (argc, argv);

// Step 2: Create the mesh nodes

NodeContainer meshNodes;

meshNodes.Create (6); // 6 mesh nodes

// Step 3: Set up Wi-Fi Mesh (802.11s)

WifiMacHelper wifiMac;

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard (WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211a);

YansWifiPhyHelper wifiPhy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default ();

YansWifiChannelHelper wifiChannel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default ();

wifiPhy.SetChannel (wifiChannel.Create ());

MeshHelper mesh;

mesh = MeshHelper::Default ();

mesh.SetStackInstaller (“ns3::Dot11sStack”);

mesh.SetSpreadInterfaceChannels (MeshHelper::SPREAD_CHANNELS);

mesh.SetMacType (“RandomStart”, TimeValue (Seconds (0.1)));

mesh.SetNumberOfInterfaces (1);

NetDeviceContainer meshDevices = mesh.Install (wifiPhy, meshNodes);

// Step 4: Assign Internet stack to the mesh nodes

InternetStackHelper internetStack;

internetStack.Install (meshNodes);

// Step 5: Assign IP addresses to the mesh network

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase (“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer meshInterfaces = address.Assign (meshDevices);

// Step 6: Set up mobility model for mesh nodes

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator (“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue (0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue (0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue (100.0),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue (100.0),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue (3),

“LayoutType”, StringValue (“RowFirst”));

mobility.SetMobilityModel (“ns3::RandomWalk2dMobilityModel”,

“Bounds”, RectangleValue (Rectangle (-500, 500, -500, 500)));

mobility.Install (meshNodes);

// Step 7: Set up UDP Echo Server on the last node

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer (9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install (meshNodes.Get (5)); // Server on node 5

serverApps.Start (Seconds (1.0));

serverApps.Stop (Seconds (100.0));

// Step 8: Set up UDP Echo Client on the first node

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient (meshInterfaces.GetAddress (5), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute (“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue (100));

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

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

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

clientApps.Start (Seconds (2.0));

clientApps.Stop (Seconds (100.0));

// Step 9: Run the simulation

Simulator::Stop (Seconds (100.0));

Simulator::Run ();

Simulator::Destroy ();

return 0;

}

Explanation of the Code:

1. Node Creation: Six mesh nodes are generated to form the wireless mesh network.
2. Wi-Fi Mesh Configuration: The MeshHelper class is utilized to setting up the IEEE 802.11s mesh network. It installs the Dot11sStack, that supports the HWMP (Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol) routing protocol by default.
3. Mobility Model: Nodes are placed in a grid layout and can move within a bounded area using the RandomWalk2dMobilityModel.
4. UDP Echo Application: A UDP Echo server is installed on the last node, and a UDP Echo client is installed on the first node. The client transfers packets to the server across the mesh network.
5. Simulation Execution: The simulation executes for 100 seconds, in the course of which the client sends packets to the server, and the mesh protocol manages routing.

Running the Simulation:

1. Build the NS3 Script: Execute the following commands in NS3 directory to build and simulate the simulation:

./waf configure

./waf build

./waf –run mesh-simulation

Extensions to the Simulation:

1. Multiple Interfaces: We can configure nodes to have multiple wireless interfaces to emulate a multi-radio mesh network.
2. Custom Mesh Protocol: Execute a custom routing protocol or adjust the existing HWMP protocol for certain research purposes.
3. Application Traffic: Utilize TCP, HTTP, or other traffic types to replicate real-world applications over the mesh network.
4. Mobility Models: Validate numerous mobility models such as Gauss-Markov or Constant Position Mobility for more complex scenarios.

Performance Metrics to Analyse:

1. Throughput: Analyse the data transmission rate among the client and server.
2. Latency: Evaluate the delay in packet delivery via the mesh network.
3. Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Estimate the percentage of successfully delivered packets versus the total number of packets sent.
4. Routing Overhead: Measure the overhead triggered by routing protocol messages in the mesh network.

In this manual, we deliver the brief explanation to understand the approaches and techniques to simulate the mesh protocol in ns3 tool and we plan to offer more information regarding the mesh protocol.

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