How to Start Star Protocol Projects Using NS2

To start Star Protocol Projects using NS2, these protocols are generally connected to network topologies and it might comprise of interaction structures within wireless or wired networks in which one central node links to every other node. Below is a detailed step-by-step instruction to get started:

Steps to Start Star Protocol Projects in NS2

  1. Understand the Star Protocol/Topology
  • Every node (clients or devices) are associated to a central node which is hub, router, or access point within a star topology.
  • Interaction exists via the central node.
  • Applications contain Wi-Fi networks, sensor networks, or simple wired interaction configurations.

We can explore the project using:

  • Wired Star Topology: Data transmission within wired networks.
  • Wireless Star Topology: To utilize protocols such as Wi-Fi or Zigbee.
  • Star Topology Extensions: Routing, QoS metrics, or scalability analysis for its extensions.
  1. Set Up the NS2 Environment
  • Install NS2:

sudo apt-get install ns2

  • Confirm installation:

ns

If starts the NS2 prompt then the installation is effectively installed.

  1. Define the Project Goals

We can define the star topology or protocol’s feature:

  • Performance parameters like latency, throughput, packet loss.
  • Scalability: Observe how the system executes with additional nodes.
  • Routing protocols: Equate the performance of routing protocols like AODV, DSDV, and so on, within a star topology configuration.
  • Energy efficiency: It is specifically used in wireless star networks.
  1. Write the TCL Script

Make a TCL script to replicate the star topology in NS2. Below is an instance of wired star topology:

Example Script:

# Create a new simulator instance

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create a trace file for output

set tracefile [open star_protocol.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

# Define the central node and leaf nodes

set central [$ns node]

set node1 [$ns node]

set node2 [$ns node]

set node3 [$ns node]

set node4 [$ns node]

# Create duplex links between central node and other nodes

$ns duplex-link $central $node1 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $central $node2 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $central $node3 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $central $node4 1Mb 10ms DropTail

# Attach agents (e.g., TCP, UDP) to nodes

set tcp0 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $node1 $tcp0

set sink0 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $central $sink0

$ns connect $tcp0 $sink0

# Create a traffic generator

set ftp0 [new Application/FTP]

$ftp0 attach-agent $tcp0

$ftp0 set packetSize_ 512

$ftp0 set interval_ 0.01

# Start and stop the traffic

$ns at 0.5 “$ftp0 start”

$ns at 10.0 “$ftp0 stop”

# Run the simulation

$ns at 11.0 “finish”

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

exec nam star_protocol.nam &

exit 0

}

$ns run

  1. Run the Simulation
  • We will want to store the tcl simulation script like star_protocol.tcl.
  • Execute the simulation to utilize:

ns star_protocol.tcl

  • Go to the NAM file for envisioning the network in NS2:

nam star_protocol.nam

  1. Analyze the Output

For analysis, we may leverage the trace file as star_protocol.tr:

  • Throughput: Estimate how much data is effectively sent.
  • Latency: Examine end-to-end delays.
  • Packet Loss: Measure the packets that are lost.

For in-depth analysis and graph plotting, we can utilize AWK, Python, or MATLAB tools.

  1. Enhance the Script

Test with:

  • Wireless Star Topology: Substitute the wired links with wireless nodes in star topology:

$ns node-config -adhocRouting DSR -llType LL -macType Mac/802_11 \

-ifqType Queue/DropTail/PriQueue -ifqLen 50 \

-antType Antenna/OmniAntenna -propType Propagation/TwoRayGround \

-phyType Phy/WirelessPhy -channelType Channel/WirelessChannel

  • Scalability: Integrate additional nodes to the star topology and then monitor the performance for scalability.
  • Protocols: We need to equate the various routing protocols such as AODV, DSDV, and DSR for wireless star configurations.
  1. Optional Enhancements
  • QoS (Quality of Service): Focus on QoS packet prioritization and bandwidth allocation.
  • Energy Efficiency: We can execute the energy-aware mechanisms for wireless nodes.
  • Traffic Types: Make use of traffic models like FTP, HTTP, or CBR traffic patterns.
  1. Document Findings

It offers comprehensive insights that contain:

  • Project’s goals and mechanisms.
  • Network setup and configurations.
  • Results (graphs for metrics like throughput, latency, and so on.).
  • Insights and conclusions.
  1. Extend the Project
  • Add star topology including hierarchical or hybrid topologies for extensions.
  • Focus on the real-world scenarios such as Wi-Fi networks, Zigbee IoT devices, or data center networks.

We had presented a fundamental method using example coding for simulating and extending the Star Protocol Projects with the support of NS2. Any uncertainties regarding this topic will be addressed in a follow-up guide.