How to Start MPLS Protocol Projects Using NS3

To simulate Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) using NS3 that needs to know about NS3, it doesn’t directly support MPLS. But, we can be executed the MPLS-like behavior by estimating their core concepts like label switching, traffic engineering, and virtual circuit routing including available tools within NS3. We could deliberate to incorporate Direct Code Execution (DCE) within NS3 executing real MPLS software such as Quagga or FRRouting for a fully-featured MPLS simulation.

This manual offers two various methods:

  1. Basic MPLS-like Simulation to utilize static routing to estimate the label switching in NS3.
  2. Advanced MPLS Simulation including NS3DCE and Quagga/FRRouting, to permit additional realistic MPLS simulation.

Steps to Start MPLS Protocol Projects in NS3

Option 1: Basic MPLS-like Simulation in NS3

We can be utilised static routing estimating the MPLS to predefine paths over routers, to replicate label switching behavior by configuring certain routes for various traffic flows. Below is a step-by-step configuration.

Steps to Set Up a Basic MPLS-like Simulation

  1. In the NS3’s scratch directory, make a new script like mpls_basic_simulation.cc.
  2. We can utilize below sample code:

Example Code for mpls_basic_simulation.cc

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/ipv4-static-routing-helper.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

NS_LOG_COMPONENT_DEFINE(“MplsBasicSimulation”);

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

// Enable logging

LogComponentEnable(“UdpEchoClientApplication”, LOG_LEVEL_INFO);

LogComponentEnable(“UdpEchoServerApplication”, LOG_LEVEL_INFO);

// Create nodes for the MPLS-like network

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(5); // 5 nodes simulating MPLS routers and endpoints

// Configure point-to-point links between nodes

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“2Gbps”));

p2p.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

// Set up links between nodes to create an MPLS-like topology

NetDeviceContainer devices01 = p2p.Install(NodeContainer(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(1)));

NetDeviceContainer devices12 = p2p.Install(NodeContainer(nodes.Get(1), nodes.Get(2)));

NetDeviceContainer devices23 = p2p.Install(NodeContainer(nodes.Get(2), nodes.Get(3)));

NetDeviceContainer devices13 = p2p.Install(NodeContainer(nodes.Get(1), nodes.Get(3)));

NetDeviceContainer devices34 = p2p.Install(NodeContainer(nodes.Get(3), nodes.Get(4)));

// Install the Internet stack on nodes

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(devices01);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.2.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(devices12);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.3.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(devices23);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.4.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(devices13);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.5.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(devices34);

// Set up static routing for MPLS-like label switching paths

Ipv4StaticRoutingHelper staticRoutingHelper;

// Route traffic from Node 0 to Node 4 through specific paths

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouting0 = staticRoutingHelper.GetStaticRouting(nodes.Get(0)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRouting0->SetDefaultRoute(“10.1.1.2”, 1); // Label switching approximation from Node 0 to Node 1

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouting1 = staticRoutingHelper.GetStaticRouting(nodes.Get(1)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRouting1->AddNetworkRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.5.0”), Ipv4Mask(“255.255.255.0”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.2.2”), 2);

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouting2 = staticRoutingHelper.GetStaticRouting(nodes.Get(2)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRouting2->AddNetworkRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.5.0”), Ipv4Mask(“255.255.255.0”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.2”), 1);

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRouting3 = staticRoutingHelper.GetStaticRouting(nodes.Get(3)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRouting3->AddNetworkRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.5.0”), Ipv4Mask(“255.255.255.0”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.4.2”), 2);

// Set up UDP echo server on Node 4

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(4));

serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Set up UDP echo client on Node 0

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.5.2”), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(5));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

ApplicationContainer clientApps = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(0));

clientApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Run the simulation

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(10.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

Explanation of the Code

  • Network Topology: We create five nodes to replicate an MPLS-like network in which Node 0 and Node 4 perform as endpoints, and Nodes 1, 2, and 3 manage the packet forwarding.
  • Static Routing for Label Switching: To predefine particular routes on each node simulating MPLS-like label switching. From Node 0 to Node 4 via Nodes 1, 2, and 2, routes direct traffic.
  • Applications:
    • UDP Echo Server: It executes at Node 4 mimicking a destination within the network.
    • UDP Echo Client: It proceeds on Node 0 and then transmits packets to Node 4.

Option 2: Advanced MPLS Simulation with NS-3-DCE and Quagga/FRRouting

Direct Code Execution (DCE) of NS3 module permits to execute the actual routing software such as Quagga or FRRouting that supports MPLS aspects for a more realistic MPLS emulation. This configuration permits to employ complete MPLS executions in simulated environment of NS3.

Steps to Set Up DCE with Quagga/FRRouting

  1. Install NS3-DCE:
    • We adhere to installation instructions on the NS-3-DCE GitLab page to install DCE that permits NS3 executing the real-world protocol executions.
  2. Configure Quagga/FRRouting:
    • Configure Quagga or FRRouting including MPLS sets up by means of allowing label switching and describing label-switched paths (LSPs) among the routers.
  3. Write a Simulation Script:
    • Configure nodes in the script like routers and then set DCE utilising Quagga or FRRouting on each router node.
    • Describe MPLS LSPs to utilize configuration files or scripts matching with the routing software.

Example Steps for MPLS with Quagga/FRRouting

  • Configure Nodes for MPLS: Configure MPLS metrics with the help of Quagga’s mpls.conf.
  • Run Routing Daemon: Begin the Quagga routing daemon at each router utilising DCE.
  • Define Label-Switched Paths (LSPs): Set label forwarding on each node replicating the label-switching behavior of MPLS.

This advanced configuration needs knowledge with both DCE and MPLS set up within routing software; however it allows true MPLS aspects such as label switching, LSPs, and traffic engineering.

Further Experimentation Ideas

  • Simulate Traffic Engineering: We experiment diverse paths then assess the performance of traffic routed via certain LSPs.
  • Compare MPLS-like Static Routing with DCE-based MPLS: Compute metrics like latency, jitter, and throughput monitoring the advantages of real MPLS across estimations.
  • Use FlowMonitor for Performance Metrics: We need to monitor performance parameters such as packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and routing overhead to assess the performance of MPLS.

This guide provides two approaches to simulate and evaluate the MPLS Protocol projects using NS3 simulation tool. Likewise, we can extend it more advanced method and essential concepts in another manual.

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