To simulate Network Protocol Testing in NS2 has needs to test the performance, validation, correctness and effectiveness of numerous network protocols such as TCP, UDP, routing protocols, etc. in different network conditions like congestion, packet loss, latency, and more. Network Protocol Testing usually includes investigating the performance of a protocol in real-world environment and making sure that it acts as expected, evaluates the parameters such as throughput, latency, packet loss, jitter, and protocol-specific parameters.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to simulate Network Protocol Testing projects using NS2.
Steps to Simulate Network Protocol Testing Projects Using NS2
- Install NS2
Make sure that we have NS2 installed on the computer.
- Understanding Network Protocol Testing
The main aim of protocol testing is to evaluate the functionality and performance of network protocols. Some common tests that contain:
- Testing Transport Protocols (TCP/UDP): Evaluate how transport protocols act as in the presence of congestion, latency, or packet loss.
- Testing Routing Protocols (AODV, DSDV, OLSR, etc.): Validate the routing protocol’s performance in numerous network topologies and mobility patterns.
- Testing Congestion Control: measure on how well TCP manage congestion in the network and how it adapts the transmission rate.
- Protocol Comparison: Relate the performance of different protocols in the same network conditions such as TCP vs. UDP, or AODV vs. DSDV.
- TCL Script for Protocol Testing
Here is a simple TCL script that configures a network scenario in which both TCP and UDP flows are validated simultaneously. The script establishes numerous conditions like delay and congestion, enabling you to evaluate on how the protocols act as in these conditions.
Example TCL Script for Network Protocol Testing (TCP and UDP)
# Create a simulator object
set ns [new Simulator]
# Open files for tracing and NAM visualization
set tracefile [open protocol_testing.tr w]
$ns trace-all $tracefile
set namfile [open protocol_testing.nam w]
$ns namtrace-all $namfile
# Define network topology
set topo [new Topography]
$topo load_flatgrid 1000 1000
# Create nodes: We will have 6 nodes for this testing scenario
set n0 [$ns node]
set n1 [$ns node]
set n2 [$ns node]
set n3 [$ns node]
set n4 [$ns node]
set n5 [$ns node]
# Create links between nodes (backbone links)
$ns duplex-link $n0 $n1 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n1 $n2 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n2 $n3 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n3 $n4 10Mb 10ms DropTail
$ns duplex-link $n4 $n5 10Mb 10ms DropTail
# Attach TCP agent to node 0 (simulating a TCP client)
set tcp0 [new Agent/TCP]
$ns attach-agent $n0 $tcp0
# Attach TCP Sink to node 5 (simulating the TCP server)
set tcpsink [new Agent/TCPSink]
$ns attach-agent $n5 $tcpsink
# Connect the TCP agents
$ns connect $tcp0 $tcpsink
# Create FTP application over TCP to simulate TCP traffic
set ftp [new Application/FTP]
$ftp attach-agent $tcp0
# Start FTP traffic (TCP flow) at 1.0 second
$ns at 1.0 “$ftp start”
# Attach UDP agent to node 1 (simulating a UDP client)
set udp [new Agent/UDP]
$ns attach-agent $n1 $udp
# Attach UDP sink to node 4 (simulating the UDP server)
set udpsink [new Agent/Null]
$ns attach-agent $n4 $udpsink
# Connect the UDP agents
$ns connect $udp $udpsink
# Create CBR traffic over UDP to simulate UDP traffic
set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]
$cbr set packetSize_ 512 ;# Packet size of 512 bytes
$cbr set rate_ 1Mb ;# Data rate 1Mbps
$cbr attach-agent $udp
# Start UDP traffic at 2.0 seconds and stop it at 6.0 seconds
$ns at 2.0 “$cbr start”
$ns at 6.0 “$cbr stop”
# Introduce network congestion: Modify link bandwidth after 3 seconds
$ns at 3.0 “$ns queue-limit $n2 $n3 10”
$ns at 3.5 “$ns duplex-link $n2 $n3 2Mb 50ms DropTail”
# End the simulation at 10 seconds
$ns at 10.0 “finish”
# Define finish procedure
proc finish {} {
global ns tracefile namfile
$ns flush-trace
close $tracefile
close $namfile
exec nam protocol_testing.nam &
exit 0
}
# Run the simulation
$ns run
- Explanation of the Script
- Simulator Setup: The simulator object is generated, and trace files (protocol_testing.tr) and NAM files (protocol_testing.nam) are opened for logging events.
- Network Topology: Six nodes are generated and associated by duplex links with 10 Mbps bandwidth and 10 ms delay. This replicate a simple network backbone.
- TCP Setup: A TCP agent is attached to node 0 (simulating a TCP client), and a TCP Sink agent is attached to node 5 (simulating the TCP server). The FTP application is utilized to create traffic over TCP.
- UDP Setup: A UDP agent is attached to node 1 (simulating a UDP client), and a Null agent (UDP sink) is attached to node 4 (simulating the UDP server). CBR traffic is utilized to replicate a constant UDP flow.
- Congestion Simulation: At 3.0 seconds, the link among nodes 2 and 3 is adjusted to replicate congestion by minimizing the link bandwidth to 2 Mbps and increasing the latency to 50 ms. this will impacts both TCP and UDP traffic.
- Simulation End: The simulation executes for 10 seconds. TCP traffic begins at 1.0 seconds, and UDP traffic starts at 2.0 seconds.
- Running the Simulation
Save the TCL script as protocol_testing.tcl, and execute it using NS2 with the following command:
ns protocol_testing.tcl
This will create a trace file (protocol_testing.tr) and a NAM file (protocol_testing.nam).
- Analysing the Results
- NAM Visualization: To envision the network and monitor the TCP and UDP traffic flows, in addition to the congestion established on the network, open the NAM (Network Animator) tool using the following command:
nam protocol_testing.nam
NAM will demonstrate the packet transmissions, routing changes, and the impact of congestion.
- Trace File Analysis: The .tr file logs all events that contain packet transmissions, receptions, drops, and variations in the network state. We can utilize AWK or Python scripts to estimate parameters such as:
- Throughput
- Packet Loss
- Latency
- Jitter
Example AWK Script to Calculate TCP and UDP Throughput:
BEGIN { tcp_bytes = 0; udp_bytes = 0; start_time = 1; end_time = 10 }
{
if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “tcp”) {
tcp_bytes += $5
} else if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “udp”) {
udp_bytes += $5
}
}
END {
duration = end_time – start_time
tcp_throughput = (tcp_bytes * 8) / (duration * 1000000) # Convert to Mbps
udp_throughput = (udp_bytes * 8) / (duration * 1000000) # Convert to Mbps
print “TCP Throughput: “, tcp_throughput, “Mbps”
print “UDP Throughput: “, udp_throughput, “Mbps”
}
To execute the script on the trace file:
awk -f throughput.awk protocol_testing.tr
- Extending the Simulation
7.1. Testing Other Protocols
We can validate other transport protocols, like DCCP or SCTP, by replacing TCP/UDP agents with the corresponding agents in NS2. Likewise, we can validate different routing protocols such as AODV, DSDV, or OLSR by set up the nodes with different ad-hoc routing protocols.
7.2. Routing Protocol Testing
We can also validate routing protocols by incorporate mobility to the nodes or establishing node/link failures to monitor on how protocols such as AODV or DSDV respond:
# Enable AODV routing protocol
$ns node-config -adhocRouting AODV
# Set node movement
$ns at 2.0 “$n0 setdest 800 800 5.0”
$ns at 3.0 “$n1 setdest 200 200 4.0”
7.3. Introducing Variable Delays or Packet Loss
We can replicate network delay, jitter, or packet loss by establishing an error model or varying the link properties dynamically in the period of the simulation:
# Add packet loss model to simulate network issues
$ns lossmodel [new ErrorModel/Uniform] 0.05 $n2 $n3
We presented the elaborated procedures that will be used to simulate the network protocol testing using the tool of ns2 framework that has to generate the validation environment that includes the protocols like TCP, UDP, or routing protocols and measuring their behaviour under different conditions. More information will be shared regarding the network protocol testing project.
Our team of experts guarantees that the simulation and network performance will meet the highest standards. We assess key parameters like throughput, latency, packet loss, jitter, and protocol-specific metrics by offering comprehensive research support for your project. To simulate network protocol testing projects using the NS2 approach, visit phdprime.com, where our experienced team is dedicated to executing these projects with the NS2 tool and sharing top project ideas and topics in this field. Please email us your complete details, and we will offer you the best guidance.
