How to Start Fiber Optic Topology Projects Using NS3

To start a Fiber Optic Topology projects using NS3 that can concentrate on replicating the high-speed, low-latency interaction networks to utilize the optical fiber. Although NS3 environment doesn’t support a built-in optical network module then fiber optic links can be estimated getting through the high data rate and low delay point-to-point links. Custom models or external integration probably required for advanced optical network simulation. We follow below given approach to get started:

Steps to Start Fiber Optic Topology Project in NS3

Step 1: Set Up NS3

  1. Install NS3:
    • Go to NS3 website, we can download NS3 on the system.
    • We can build NS3:

./waf configure

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation: We need to confirm NS3 is installed properly including a simple script:

./waf –run scratch/my_first

Step 2: Understand Fiber Optic Topology

  • Common Fiber Optic Topologies:
    • Point-to-Point: This topology directly associates among two nodes.
    • Ring: Within a circular set up, nodes are linked.
    • Star: Every node associates to a central hub or switch.
    • Mesh: All nodes are attached to several nodes intended for redundancy.
    • Tree: It provides hierarchical connection including numerous levels.
  • Characteristics:
    • It has too high data rates like 10 Gbps, 100 Gbps.
    • Low latency such as 1 ms or less.
    • It provides long-range interaction.

Step 3: Plan the Topology

  1. Define the structure:
    • We want to outline the volume of nodes and connections.
    • For instance, it contains star topology including 5 nodes that are associated to a central hub.
  2. Define traffic patterns:
    • We can delineate the traffic patterns that have node-to-node interaction.
    • Broadcast or multicast situations.
  3. Set simulation goals:
    • We should set the simulation objectives, which is to calculate the performance metrics like throughput, delay, and packet loss.

Step 4: Set Up the Fiber Optic Topology

  1. Create Nodes: We able to make the nodes for the topology.

NodeContainer nodes;

uint32_t numNodes = 5; // Number of nodes in the topology

nodes.Create(numNodes);

  1. Set Up Fiber Links: Then, we replicate the fiber optic links with the support of high data rate, low delay point-to-point links.

PointToPointHelper fiber;

fiber.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Gbps”)); // High-speed link

fiber.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“1ms”)); // Low latency link

NetDeviceContainer devices;

for (uint32_t i = 1; i < numNodes; ++i) {

NetDeviceContainer link = fiber.Install(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(i)); // Connect to central hub

devices.Add(link);

}

  1. Install Internet Stack: To allow IP-based interaction, we want to insert the Internet stack.

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

Step 5: Simulate Traffic

  1. Set Up Applications: We capable of describe the traffic flows among nodes.
    • UDP Echo Example:

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9); // Port 9

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(1)); // Server on Node 1

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.2”), 9); // Server’s IP

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));

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

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(2)); // Client on Node 2

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Use Flow Monitor: We compute the performance indicators such as throughput, delay, and packet loss by Flow Monitor.

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“fiber_optic_flowmon.xml”, true, true);

Step 6: Run and Analyze

  1. Run the Simulation: Now, we should execute the simulation using below command.

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

  1. Enable Packet Capture: Allow packet to seize and store .pcap files for traffic analysis.

fiber.EnablePcapAll(“fiber_optic_topology”);

  1. Analyze Results: Measure performance outcomes to utilzie Flow Monitor and packet traces.

Example: Minimal NS3 Script for Fiber Optic Topology

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

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

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

#include “ns3/flow-monitor-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

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

uint32_t numNodes = 5;

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(numNodes);

// Configure fiber optic links

PointToPointHelper fiber;

fiber.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Gbps”));

fiber.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“1ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices;

for (uint32_t i = 1; i < numNodes; ++i) {

NetDeviceContainer link = fiber.Install(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(i));

devices.Add(link);

}

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

// Set up UDP echo server and client

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(1));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(interfaces.GetAddress(1), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(10));

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

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(2));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Enable Flow Monitor

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“fiber_optic_flowmon.xml”, true, true);

// Enable packet capture

fiber.EnablePcapAll(“fiber_optic_topology”);

// Run simulation

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

Step 7: Enhance the Simulation

  • Advanced Traffic:
    • Afterward, we need to replicate the traffic like VoIP, video streaming, or data transfers.
  • Custom Topology:
    • Test with custom topologies such as mesh, ring, or tree structures.
  • Fault Tolerance:
    • Mimic link failures and then examine the rerouting for fault tolerance.
  • Optical Models:
    • Combine external optical network models or software for further realism.
  • QoS Evaluation:
    • We estimate the performance metrics including delay, jitter, throughput, and packet loss for various scenarios.

This guide delivers structured method with sample coding that is a starting point for modeling and simulating the Fiber Optic Topology projects leveraging NS3 tool. You can customize this simulation process for implement these projects.

Just shoot us an email with all the details of your project, and we’ll help you out with the best advice. We take care of custom models and external integrations, plus we’ll guide you through the entire performance process. So, drop us a message about your Fiber Optic Topology project, and we’ll give you personalized research support.