How to Start Mesh Protocols Projects Using NS3

To start a mesh protocol project in NS3 that requires replicating the protocols and mechanisms generally utilized in wireless mesh networks (WMNs). WMNs are characterized by nodes which can actively self-organize, self-configure, and sustain the mesh connectivity. For WMNs, general protocols contain routing protocols such as AODV, OLSR, or HWMP and custom mesh-specific protocols.

Below is a basic approach on how to start and simulate the Mesh Protocols Projects in NS3:

Steps to Start Mesh Protocols Projects in NS3

  1. Understand Mesh Protocols
  • What are Mesh Protocols?
    • In a mesh topology, protocols created to manage the dynamic, self-healing, and robust interaction.
  • Examples of Mesh Protocols:
    • Proactive protocols: OLSR and HWMP.
    • Reactive protocols: AODV.
    • Hybrid protocols: ZRP.
    • Custom protocols: Protocols for routing optimization, load balancing or energy efficiency.
  1. Set Up NS3
  • Install NS3:
    • Go to nsnam.org to download and install NS3.
    • We adhere to the installation instructions.
  • Ensure the Mesh Module is Enabled:
    • The mesh module is contained within NS3 by default. Confirm in the course of configuration:

./waf configure –enable-modules=mesh

./waf build

  • Verify Installation:
    • We execute the default mesh instances:

./waf –run mesh-simple

  1. Plan Your Mesh Protocol Project
  • Define the Protocol:
    • We describe the standard mesh protocol such as HWMP or executing a custom one.
  • Define the Objective:
    • We define the performance estimation for latency, throughput, and packet delivery ratio.
    • Comparison of various protocols.
    • To execute optimizations like energy-efficient routing and load balancing.
  • Topology:
    • For mesh nodes, we select a grid, random, or custom topology.
  • Metrics:
    • We estimate the performance parameters such as latency, throughput, packet delivery ratio, energy consumption, and so on.
  1. Write the Simulation Code
  • Simplified mesh simulation script and prolong it.
  • Example Script: Basic Mesh Network Setup

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/mesh-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

uint32_t nNodes = 9; // Number of nodes in the mesh

double step = 100.0; // Distance between nodes

double simTime = 10.0; // Simulation time

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(nNodes);

// Position the nodes in a grid

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::GridPositionAllocator”,

“MinX”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“MinY”, DoubleValue(0.0),

“DeltaX”, DoubleValue(step),

“DeltaY”, DoubleValue(step),

“GridWidth”, UintegerValue(3),

“LayoutType”, StringValue(“RowFirst”));

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::ConstantPositionMobilityModel”);

mobility.Install(nodes);

// Install mesh stack

MeshHelper mesh = MeshHelper::Default();

mesh.SetStackInstaller(“ns3::Dot11sStack”);

mesh.SetMacType(“RandomStart”, TimeValue(Seconds(0.1)));

mesh.SetNumberOfInterfaces(1);

NetDeviceContainer meshDevices = mesh.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(nodes);

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

ipv4.Assign(meshDevices);

// Set up traffic

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApps = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(nNodes – 1));

serverApps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApps.Stop(Seconds(simTime));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.9”), 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(simTime));

// Enable tracing

AsciiTraceHelper ascii;

mesh.EnableAsciiAll(ascii.CreateFileStream(“mesh.tr”));

mesh.EnablePcapAll(“mesh”);

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(simTime));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Extend for Specific Mesh Protocols
  • For HWMP (802.11s mesh routing), we utilize the ns3::Dot11sStack.
  • We can prolong Ipv4RoutingProtocol or make a custom protocol:
    • Override methods like RouteOutput() and RouteInput().
  • Insert indicators or optimizations to existing mesh protocols.
  1. Simulate and Analyze
  • Enable Logging:

export NS_LOG=MeshWifiInterfaceMac=level_all

./waf –run scratch/mesh-example

  • Trace Analysis:
    • For packet analysis within Wireshark to utilize PCAP files.
    • For metrics such as throughput, packet loss, or delay using FlowMonitor.
  1. Performance Evaluation
  • Metrics to measure:
    • Throughput: We estimate how effectively data sent over time.
    • Latency: Measure the duration for data moving via the network.
    • Packet delivery ratio: We compute the ratio of packets that are successfully distributed.
    • Energy efficiency: If utilising the battery-powered nodes.
  • For gathering performance information to utilize NS3 tools such as FlowMonitor.
  1. Advanced Features
  • Dynamic topologies: Launch mobility models, replicating the real-world situations.
  • Cross-layer optimizations: Integrate the routing including MAC or PHY layer aspects.
  • Security: We execute the secure routing protocols or defenses versus attacks.
  • Scalability testing: To replicate the large-scale mesh networks.
  1. Documentation and Results
  • Document:
    • It provides protocol executions specifics.
    • Simulation parameters and sets up.
  • Visualize results using:
    • NetAnim: For envision of the network topology and traffic.
    • Matplotlib/Gnuplot: For plotting the performance parameters.

At the end, we thoroughly explained the process with example coding to start and replicate the Mesh Topology Projects in NS3 environment. Further specifies will be delivered upon requests.

We focus on AODV, OLSR, HWMP, and other custom mesh protocols, which means we can offer you the best ideas that fit your research needs. When you’re diving into your Mesh Protocols Projects with the NS3 tool, count on the team at phdprojects.org to help you through every step. Enjoy our personalized support to make sure your project runs smoothly and gets done on time.