To simulate Static Routing projects in OMNeT++ has needs to setup a router to utilize the predefined routes that do not change enthusiastically in response to network changes. Distinct dynamic routing protocols such as OSPF or RIP, static routing needs the manual configuration of routing tables, in which each router knows exactly which path to take for every destination.
OMNeT++ and the INET framework offers support for static routing across manual configuration, enabling you to simulate fixed paths in a network.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to simulating Static Routing projects in OMNeT++:
Steps to Simulate Static Routing Projects in OMNeT++
Step 1: Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework
Make sure that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed, by way of INET delivers necessary modules for IP-based routing that contain static routing.
- Download OMNeT++: OMNeT++ official website
- Download INET Framework: INET Framework
Step 2: Define the Network Topology in the NED File
Generate a network topology with routers and hosts, in which each router will have statically setting up routes. The .ned file describes the physical layout of the network.
Here’s an instance NED file for a simple network with static routing:
network StaticRoutingNetwork
{
submodules:
host1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
host2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=500,200”);
}
router1: Router {
@display(“p=200,300”);
}
router2: Router {
@display(“p=300,300”);
}
router3: Router {
@display(“p=400,300”);
}
connections:
host1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router1.ethg++;
router1.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router2.ethg++;
router2.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> router3.ethg++;
router3.ethg++ <–> Eth100M <–> host2.ethg++;
}
In this topology:
- host1 and host2 are end devices that interact via a series of routers (router1, router2, router3).
- All routers will have physically set up static routes.
Step 3: Assign IP Addresses and Configure Static Routes in the INET Framework
In OMNeT++, static routes can be setup across the omnetpp.ini file by certain IP addresses and routing tables for each router physically.
Step 3.1: Assign IPv4 Addresses
Each device in the network should be allocated an IP address in a predefined subnet.
[Config StaticRoutingSimulation]
network = StaticRoutingNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Assign IPv4 addresses to hosts and routers
*.host1.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.host1.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.0.1/24”
*.host2.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.host2.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.3.1/24”
*.router1.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.router1.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.0.254/24 10.0.1.1/24”
*.router2.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.router2.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.1.254/24 10.0.2.1/24”
*.router3.ipv4.config = “manual”
*.router3.ipv4.addresses = “10.0.2.254/24 10.0.3.254/24”
In this configuration:
- host1 has the IP address 10.0.0.1/24.
- host2 has the IP address 10.0.3.1/24.
- router1, router2, and router3 are allocated IP addresses for their interfaces associated to different subnets.
Step 3.2: Configure Static Routes
Each router requires a static routing table that certain how to reach the destination networks.
# Static routing for router1
*.router1.routingTable.routingFile = xmldoc(“router1_routing.xml”)
# Static routing for router2
*.router2.routingTable.routingFile = xmldoc(“router2_routing.xml”)
# Static routing for router3
*.router3.routingTable.routingFile = xmldoc(“router3_routing.xml”)
The routing information for each router is stored in an XML file that describes the static routes. Below is an instance of the routing table for each router.
Example XML Routing File for router1 (router1_routing.xml):
<config>
<route>
<destination>10.0.3.0</destination>
<gateway>10.0.1.254</gateway>
<interface>eth1</interface>
<netmask>255.255.255.0</netmask>
</route>
</config>
This routing entry for router1 specifies:
- To reach the 10.0.3.0/24 network (where host2 is located), forward packets through the gateway 10.0.1.254 on the eth1 interface.
Example XML Routing File for router2 (router2_routing.xml):
<config>
<route>
<destination>10.0.3.0</destination>
<gateway>10.0.2.254</gateway>
<interface>eth1</interface>
<netmask>255.255.255.0</netmask>
</route>
<route>
<destination>10.0.0.0</destination>
<gateway>10.0.1.1</gateway>
<interface>eth0</interface>
<netmask>255.255.255.0</netmask>
</route>
</config>
This describes on how router2 forwards packets to both host1 and host2.
Example XML Routing File for router3 (router3_routing.xml):
<config>
<route>
<destination>10.0.0.0</destination>
<gateway>10.0.2.1</gateway>
<interface>eth0</interface>
<netmask>255.255.255.0</netmask>
</route>
</config>
This entry describes how router3 reaches host1 through router2.
Step 4: Simulate Traffic between Hosts
Now that the static routes are set up, replicate traffic among host1 and host2. For this, we can create UDP traffic from host1 to host2.
# Simulate UDP traffic from host1 to host2
*.host1.numApps = 1
*.host1.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.host1.app[0].localAddress = “10.0.0.1”
*.host1.app[0].connectAddress = “10.0.3.1”
*.host1.app[0].sendInterval = 1s
*.host1.app[0].messageLength = 512B
*.host1.app[0].startTime = 10s
# Configure host2 to receive UDP traffic
*.host2.numApps = 1
*.host2.app[0].typename = “UdpSinkApp”
In this configuration:
- host1 creates UDP traffic and sends it to host2 at regular intervals.
- host2 perform as a sink, receiving the traffic.
Step 5: Run the Simulation
Once the network topology, static routes, and traffic simulation are set up:
- Build and compile the project in OMNeT++.
- Run the simulation using the OMNeT++ GUI or from the command line.
- Observe traffic flow: Utilize the OMNeT++ GUI to envision the packet flow among host1 and host2 through the routers. We can also monitor on how packets follow the predefined static routes.
Step 6: Analyze Simulation Results
OMNeT++ creates .sca and .vec files encompassing simulation data that can be utilized to measure the performance of static routing:
- End-to-End Delay: Evaluate how long it takes for packets to travel from host1 to host2 over and done with the statically routed network.
- Packet Delivery Ratio: Estimate on how many packets are successfully delivered among the two hosts.
- Network Utilization: Monitor how different links in the network are used according to the configured static routes.
Utilize OMNeT++’s built-in tools to envision and measure the outcomes.
Step 7: Extend the Simulation
We can prolong the simulation by establishing additional behaviours or scenarios:
7.1: Simulate Link Failures
Since static routes do not adjust to network changes, we can replicate link failures and monitor how static routing manage the failure.
# Simulate a link failure between router1 and router2 at 50 seconds
*.router1.interfaceTable[1].downAt = 50s
If a link goes down in static routing, packets can be dropped, as static routing doesn’t systematically finds alternative paths.
7.2: Simulate Network Congestion
We can replicate network congestion by increasing the traffic load and tracking how static routing act as when particular links become overloaded.
# Increase traffic load to simulate congestion
*.host1.app[0].sendInterval = 0.1s
7.3: Test with Larger Networks
Prolong the network by adding more routers and hosts to replicate larger networks, in which static routing becomes increasingly complex to handle.
Step 8: Visualize the Routing with OMNeT++
OMNeT++ deliver built-in visualization tools that enable you to animate and, monitor the packet flow across the network, supported you track how traffic is transmitted among static paths.
We expounded the simulation process in step-by-step procedures that enable to implement and asses the performance and configure topology using the tool of OMNeT++. We plan to deliver more information regarding this process in upcoming skills.
Our team of experts is here to help you achieve the best results for your Static Routing Projects using the OMNeT++ tool. You can count on us for reliable simulation support. Additionally, we specialize in various dynamic routing protocols like OSPF and RIP, tailored to meet the specific requirements of your project.
