To simulate Simple Network Protocol projects in OMNeT++ has needs to model a simple communication protocol that can be utilized in a variety of networking environment, such as message passing, basic routing, or data exchange. OMNeT++ delivers a flexible framework to generate and replicate custom protocols by executing them in C++ and describing network environment in NED files. Send us all your research requirements, and we will provide you with the most effective guidance for simulations.
Here’s how you can simulate a Simple Network Protocol (SNP) using OMNeT++:
Steps to Simulate Simple Network Protocol Projects in OMNeT++
Step 1: Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework
Make sure that OMNeT++ is installed, along with the INET framework if we plan to utilize standard networking models such as routers and hosts. We will utilize OMNeT++ to generate custom protocol logic and replicate diverse network topologies.
- Download OMNeT++: OMNeT++
- Download INET Framework: INET Framework
Step 2: Define the Network Topology in the NED File
Describe the network topology in a .ned file that contain hosts (end devices) and routers or switches. For a simple network protocol, we need to design a small network with a few nodes that interact with each other.
Here’s an instance NED file for a simple network:
network SimpleNetwork
{
submodules:
host1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
host2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,200”);
}
router1: Router {
@display(“p=300,200”);
}
connections:
host1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router1.ethg++;
host2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router1.ethg++;
}
This network consists of:
- host1 and host2: Two end devices that will interact using simple protocol.
- router1: A router that will forward messages among the hosts.
Step 3: Implement the Simple Network Protocol (SNP) in C++
Now, we need to create a C++ implementation for custom Simple Network Protocol (SNP). The SNP will describe how messages are sent, received, and forwarded among nodes.
Step 3.1: Create the SimpleProtocol Class
Here’s an instance of how to implement a simple message-passing protocol:
class SimpleProtocol : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void sendPacket(const char* message);
void processPacket(cMessage *msg);
};
Define_Module(SimpleProtocol);
void SimpleProtocol::initialize()
{
// Send a packet at the beginning of the simulation from host1 to host2
if (strcmp(getName(), “host1”) == 0) {
sendPacket(“Hello from host1”);
}
}
void SimpleProtocol::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
processPacket(msg);
}
void SimpleProtocol::sendPacket(const char* message)
{
// Create a message and send it to the output gate
cMessage *packet = new cMessage(message);
send(packet, “ethg$o”);
}
void SimpleProtocol::processPacket(cMessage *msg)
{
// Print the received message
EV << getName() << ” received packet: ” << msg->getName() << endl;
// If it’s host2, the message will be processed, and host2 may reply
if (strcmp(getName(), “host2”) == 0) {
sendPacket(“Hello from host2”);
}
delete msg; // Clean up the message
}
This simple protocol does the following:
- host1 transmit a message to host2 at the beginning of the simulation.
- host2 processes the message and replies with a response.
Step 4: Configure the Simulation in omnetpp.ini
In the omnetpp.ini files, set up the simulation runtime, the communication channels, and any metric for the network. For instance, we can require the packet transmission times and bandwidth for the links.
[Config SimpleNetworkSimulation]
network = SimpleNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Assign addresses to hosts and routers
*.host1.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.host1.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.0.1/24”
*.host2.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.host2.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.0.2/24”
*.router1.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.router1.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.0.254/24”
# Configure Ethernet link parameters
*.host1.eth[0].datarate = 100Mbps
*.host2.eth[0].datarate = 100Mbps
*.router1.eth[0].datarate = 100Mbps
In this configuration:
- host1 and host2 are set up with static IPv4 addresses, even though this simple protocol doesn’t need an IP.
- datarate and delay can be adapted for the links among the hosts and the router.
Step 5: Run the Simulation
After configuring the network and protocol:
- Build and compile the project in OMNeT++.
- Run the simulation in the OMNeT++ GUI or from the command line.
- Observe message exchanges: Utilize the OMNeT++ GUI to envision the message interchanges among host1, router1, and host2.
We should see:
- host1 transmit a message (“Hello from host1”) to host2.
- router1 forwards the message to host2.
- host2 replies to host1 with a message (“Hello from host2”).
Step 6: Analyse Simulation Results
OMNeT++ creates result files (.sca and .vec) encompassing the simulation parameters. We can measure:
- Message delivery: How many messages were successfully delivered between hosts?
- End-to-end delay: The time it took for messages to traverse the network.
- Throughput: The amount of data routes over the links.
We can utilize OMNeT++’s built-in tools to envision the outcomes or plot graphs to evaluate the performance of simple protocol.
Step 7: Extend the Simple Network Protocol
Once the basic protocol is executed and validated, we can expand the Simple Network Protocol in numerous ways:
7.1: Add Reliability
We can add reliability behaviours to make sure that messages are delivered without loss. For instance, we can execute an acknowledgment (ACK) system in which the receiver transmits an ACK after receiving a message.
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “ACK”) != 0) {
// Send an acknowledgment back to the sender
cMessage *ack = new cMessage(“ACK”);
send(ack, “ethg$o”);
}
7.2: Implement Routing
If network grows larger, we can execute simple routing functionality in the router. For example, the router can forward messages according to static routing tables or even dynamically estimate routes.
7.3: Introduce Packet Loss or Congestion
We can replicate packet loss or congestion by establishing random delays or dropping packets in particular conditions.
if (uniform(0, 1) < 0.1) {
EV << “Packet lost!” << endl;
delete msg; // Simulate 10% packet loss
} else {
send(msg, “ethg$o”);
}
7.4: Add Multicast or Broadcast Support
Prolong your protocol to support multicast or broadcast by forwarding messages to multiple destinations according to the message type or address.
Step 8: Advanced Features
We can continue building more characteristics into the Simple Network Protocol:
- QoS (Quality of Service): Select specific messages over others according to their type.
- Congestion Control: Apply the techniques that identify and prevent network congestion.
- Security: incorporate encryption or authentication mechanisms to protect message trade-offs.
We demonstrated the basic process with detailed explanation for Simple Network Protocol projects simulated and evaluated the results using the tool of OMNeT++ tool and the additional details regarding this process will be added later.
