To simulate Network Protocol Testing projects utilising OMNeT++ that encompasses estimating the functionality, performance, and reliability of network protocols under distinct network conditions. The simulation environment OMNeT++ and the INET Framework offer a broad range of built-in network protocols (such as TCP, UDP, IPv4, IPv6, OSPF, RIP, etc.), which we can be mimicked and experimented in a controlled environment. We can be mimicked testing scenarios for protocols such as routing, transport, application-layer protocols, or even custom protocols we have executed.
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Below is a step-by-step instruction to simulate Network Protocol Testing projects using OMNeT++.
Steps to Simulate Network Protocol Testing Projects in OMNeT++
- Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Download OMNeT++:
- Download and install OMNeT++ from the official website.
- Install INET Framework:
- The INET Framework offers a variety of network protocol models (e.g., TCP, UDP, IP, routing protocols).
- Clone the INET repository:
git clone https://github.com/inet-framework/inet.git
-
- Open OMNeT++ IDE and import the INET project through File > Import > Existing Projects into Workspace.
- Build the project by right-clicking the INET project within the Project Explorer and choosing Build Project.
- Define the Network Topology in NED
To start testing network protocols, describe a simple network topology in NED (Network Description). Based on the protocol(s) being tested, we can configure a topology with hosts, routers, or more complex structures.
Example NED File for Testing TCP/UDP (ProtocolTestNetwork.ned):
package protocoltest;
import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;
import inet.node.inet.Router;
import inet.linklayer.ethernet.EthernetInterface;
network ProtocolTestNetwork
{
submodules:
host1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
host2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=400,200”);
}
router: Router {
@display(“p=250,200”);
}
connections allowunconnected:
host1.ethg++ <–> EthernetInterface <–> router.ethg++;
router.ethg++ <–> EthernetInterface <–> host2.ethg++;
}
Explanation:
- Hosts: Standard hosts, which denote endpoints for protocol communication (e.g., for sending and receiving traffic).
- Router: A router forwards packets among the two hosts.
- EthernetInterface: Wired connections among the devices for testing.
- Configure the Protocols in omnetpp.ini
The omnetpp.ini file permits to set up the protocols we require to test and the network conditions. Here’s an instance of testing TCP and UDP protocols.
- Testing TCP and UDP
Example omnetpp.ini Configuration:
[General]
network = ProtocolTestNetwork
sim-time-limit = 200s
# IP Address Configuration
*.host1.ipv4.address = “10.0.0.1”
*.host1.ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”
*.host2.ipv4.address = “10.0.0.2”
*.host2.ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”
*.router.ipv4.routingTable.typename = “Ipv4RoutingTable”
# TCP Configuration
*.host1.numApps = 1
*.host1.app[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”
*.host1.app[0].connectAddress = “10.0.0.2”
*.host1.app[0].connectPort = 80 # Simulating HTTP traffic
*.host1.app[0].tOpen = 10s # Open TCP connection after 10s
*.host1.app[0].tSend = 15s # Start sending after 15s
*.host1.app[0].sendBytes = 1MB # Send 1MB of data
*.host1.app[0].tClose = 100s # Close after 100s
# UDP Configuration
*.host2.numApps = 1
*.host2.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.host2.app[0].localPort = 5000 # Listen for UDP on port 5000
# TCP/UDP Settings
*.**.tcp.mss = 1460B # Maximum Segment Size for TCP
*.**.tcp.connEstabTimeout = 5s
*.**.tcp.sendQueueClass = “inet.transportlayer.tcp.TcpVirtualDataSendQueue”
*.**.tcp.receiveQueueClass = “inet.transportlayer.tcp.TcpVirtualDataReceiveQueue”
*.**.udp.bindPort = -1 # Let UDP automatically choose a port
# Network layer (optional): Enable IPv4 forwarding and routing in the router
*.router.ipv4.forwarding = true
Explanation:
- TCP Testing: Host1 performs as a TCP client, initiating a connection to Host2 and transmitting 1MB of data over TCP. We can change the timing of when the connection opens, the data is transmitted, and when the session closes.
- UDP Testing: Host2 listens for incoming UDP packets and can react or examine the incoming data.
- TCP/UDP Settings: Sets up metrics such as the TCP Maximum Segment Size (MSS), connection timeout, and UDP port settings.
- Run the Simulation
- Build the Project:
- Right-click on the project within OMNeT++ and choose Build Project to compile the simulation.
- Run the Simulation:
- Right-click on omnetpp.ini and select Run As > OMNeT++ Simulation.
- Utilize the Qtenv graphical interface to monitor packet flow among the hosts and routers, and analyse how the protocols perform for the period of the simulation.
- Analyze the Results
After running the simulation, we can examine how successfully the protocols execute under the given network conditions.
- Throughput:
- Assess the amount of data sent for each unit time. Utilize the vector and scalar data to verify how much data was sent or received.
- Packet Loss:
- Investigate whether any packets were lost during transmission, particularly for UDP that does not guarantee reliable delivery.
- Latency:
- Compute the delay among the transmission and receipt of packets. It is vital for protocols such as TCP, which may change their window sizes according to the network conditions.
- Congestion Control (TCP):
- Verify how TCP adjusts to network congestion by modifying its congestion window size and retransmitting lost packets.
- Protocol-Specific Metrics:
- For particular protocols such as OSPF or RIP, analyse the routing tables, convergence time, and network stability.
Tools:
- Vector and Scalar Output Files: OMNeT++ creates these files in the course of the simulation for parameters such as throughput, delay, and packet loss.
- Graphical Analysis: Utilize OMNeT++’s built-in plotting tools to envision performance outcomes.
- Test Network Conditions
Testing protocols frequently contains replicating distinct network conditions to observe how the protocols perform under stress or in failure scenarios.
- Network Congestion:
- Minimize bandwidth or launch competing traffic to replicate congestion. Monitor how protocols such as TCP change the window size or retransmit packets.
- Packet Loss:
- Replicate packet loss within the network to estimate how protocols manages lost packets (e.g., TCP retransmissions, UDP ignoring lost packets).
- Network Delays:
- Insert delays to replicate high-latency networks (e.g., satellite links). Compute how protocols such as TCP adjust to changing RTT (Round-Trip Time).
- Router Failures:
- Mimic router failures and analyse how routing protocols such as OSPF or RIP manage dynamic network changes and how rapidly the network retrieves.
Example: To replicate packet loss and network delay, insert the following to the omnetpp.ini file:
*.**.ppp[0].queue.typename = “DropTailQueue” # Simulate packet loss
*.**.ppp[0].queue.packetCapacity = 100 # Limit packet queue size
# Simulate network delay (1ms delay for Ethernet links)
*.**.mac.delay = 1ms
- Extend the Simulation
When we have tested the simple functionality of protocols then we can expand the simulation to experiment other protocols or more complex scenarios:
- Test Routing Protocols:
- Replicate dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF, RIP, or custom protocols. Configure more complex topologies with several routers and examine how routes are ascertained and updated in response to network changes.
- Test Application-Layer Protocols:
- Mimic protocols such as HTTP, FTP, and IMAP/POP3 over TCP/UDP to estimate their behaviour in distinct network conditions.
- Test Custom Protocols:
- If we have improved a custom protocol then we can replicate and examine its performance under distinct conditions (e.g., bandwidth, delay, congestion).
- Wireless Networks:
- Substitute Ethernet links with WiFi or LTE to replicate wireless network protocols and investigate how they manage challenges such as interference and mobility.
In this projects, we had executed the Network Protocol Testing Projects, which was tested and simulated using the above simulation process within OMNeT++ tool. We will present extra insights related to this topic using another tool
