How to Start Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology Projects Using NS3

To start a Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology in NS3, this topology integrates the cyclic structure of ring topology and the fully or partially associated structure of mesh topology. Hybrid topology is typically utilized within resilient and redundant network models like backbone networks or advanced IoT systems.

Steps to Start Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology Project in NS3

Step 1: Set Up NS3

  1. Install NS3:
    • Go to official NS3 webpage to download NS3 environment on the system.
    • Build NS3:

./waf configure

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation: Make sure that NS3 is properly functioning including a simple script:

./waf –run scratch/my_first

Step 2: Understand Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology

  • Characteristics:
    • In a ring topology, nodes are associated and also contain more connections to make a mesh.
    • It integrates the redundancy of a ring including mesh topology’s flexibility.
    • This topology is very helpful for fault tolerance and load balancing.
  • Example:
    • In this topology, nodes make a primary ring.
    • More connections make a mesh between particular nodes for improved connectivity.

Step 3: Plan the Topology

  1. Define the structure:
    • We should describe the volume of nodes that has 6 nodes.
    • More connections making the mesh.
  2. Set simulation goals:
    • We need to estimate the redundancy, fault tolerance, and performance in diverse conditions.
    • Experiment the routing efficiency and link usage.

Step 4: Set Up the Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology

  1. Create Nodes: In the topology, we delineate the nodes.

NodeContainer nodes;

uint32_t numNodes = 6; // For a 6-node network

nodes.Create(numNodes);

  1. Set Up the Ring: Make use of point-to-point links to associate nodes within a ring structure.

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

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

NetDeviceContainer ringDevices;

for (uint32_t i = 0; i < numNodes; ++i) {

NetDeviceContainer link = p2p.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get((i + 1) % numNodes));

ringDevices.Add(link);

}

  1. Add Mesh Links: We need to make extra nodes to model the mesh structure.

NetDeviceContainer meshDevices;

meshDevices.Add(p2p.Install(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(2))); // Example extra link

meshDevices.Add(p2p.Install(nodes.Get(3), nodes.Get(5))); // Another extra link

  1. Install Internet Stack: We require inserting the Internet stack to every node.

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

// Assign IP addresses to ring links

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ringInterfaces = address.Assign(ringDevices);

// Assign IP addresses to mesh links

address.SetBase(“10.2.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer meshInterfaces = address.Assign(meshDevices);

  1. Configure Routing: Exploit static or global routing to set routing.

Ipv4GlobalRoutingHelper::PopulateRoutingTables();

Step 5: Simulate Traffic

  1. Set Up Applications: Describe traffic among the nodes within various portions of the network.
    • UDP Echo Example:

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9); // Port 9

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(0)); // Server on Node 0

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(ringInterfaces.GetAddress(0), 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(3)); // Client on Node 3

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

  1. Use Flow Monitor: Measure throughput, delay, and packet loss.

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

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

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

Step 6: Run and Analyze

  1. Run the Simulation: Now, we follow these commands to execute the simulation.

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

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

p2p.EnablePcapAll(“ring_mesh_hybrid_topology”);

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

Example: Minimal NS3 Script for Ring-Mesh Hybrid 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 = 6;

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(numNodes);

// Configure point-to-point links for the ring

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

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

NetDeviceContainer ringDevices;

for (uint32_t i = 0; i < numNodes; ++i) {

NetDeviceContainer link = p2p.Install(nodes.Get(i), nodes.Get((i + 1) % numNodes));

ringDevices.Add(link);

}

// Add additional mesh links

NetDeviceContainer meshDevices;

meshDevices.Add(p2p.Install(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(2))); // Extra link

meshDevices.Add(p2p.Install(nodes.Get(3), nodes.Get(5))); // Extra link

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

// Assign IP addresses to ring links

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer ringInterfaces = address.Assign(ringDevices);

// Assign IP addresses to mesh links

address.SetBase(“10.2.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer meshInterfaces = address.Assign(meshDevices);

// Configure global routing

Ipv4GlobalRoutingHelper::PopulateRoutingTables();

// Set up UDP echo server and client

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(0));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(ringInterfaces.GetAddress(0), 9);

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

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

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(3));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Enable Flow Monitor

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

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

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

// Enable packet capture

p2p.EnablePcapAll(“ring_mesh_hybrid_topology”);

// Run simulation

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

By adapting NS3 environment for simulation, we have thoroughly simulated and examined the Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology project through above offered procedure and additional details will appear in upcoming manual as required.

To get on with your  Ring-Mesh Hybrid Topology Projects utilizing NS3, we will conduct execution and simulation tailored to your specific needs. Our team will provide full support throughout the entire process to guarantee the successful completion of your project, along with a concise overview of our work.