How to Start Classless Protocol Projects Using OMNeT++

To start classless routing protocols in OMNeT++, we follow these steps. Classless routing protocols such as RIPng (Routing Information Protocol next generation), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), and other protocols, which don’t have classful addressing scheme in contrast of older protocols like classful RIP that are frequently utilised within advanced IP networks in which subnetting is needed.

Steps to Start Classless Protocol Projects in OMNeT++

Following is a systematic method to get started:

  1. Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework

Make sure that OMNeT++ and the INET Framework are installed on the system. These are crucial to make and replicate the network protocols using OMNeT++.

Install OMNeT++

  1. We should download and install the OMNeT++ using provided installation guide.
  2. Configure the environment variables and then execute to compile OMNeT++.

Install INET Framework

  1. Clone the INET Framework:

git clone https://github.com/inet-framework/inet.git

cd inet

  1. Build INET:

./configure

make

INET framework offers an extensive collection of protocols and network models with routing protocols such as RIPng and OSPF using classless routing.

  1. Familiarize Yourself with Classless Routing Protocols

Classless routing protocols utilise the CIDR (Classless Inter-Domain Routing) addressing scheme that permits more flexible subnetting and assign IP addresses according to the requirement instead of fixed class boundaries.

The most generally utilised the classless routing protocols are:

  • RIPng: A RIP classless version often utilised in IPv6 networks.
  • OSPF: A link-state routing protocol, which operates alongside both IPv4 and IPv6, able to manage the classless networks.
  • EIGRP: Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol that can also be worked with in a classless manner which is normally utilised in IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

These protocols do not depend on fixed subnet classes (A, B, C), allowing for more efficient address allocation.

  1. Check for Existing Classless Routing Protocol Implementations

INET Framework offers to support for numerous routing protocols with RIPng (classless) and OSPF in OMNeT++. Confirm if the protocol we need to replicate like RIPng or OSPF is already executed using INET.

Example Classless Protocols in INET:

  • RIPng (Routing Information Protocol next generation): RIP classless version for IPv6.
  • OSPF (Open Shortest Path First): A general link-state classless routing protocol.

Both RIPng and OSPF are supported within INET framework.

Confirming the INET GitHub repository or the OMNeT++ IDE for existing samples and documentation.

  1. Create the Network Topology Using NED Files

When we have to select the classless protocol using RIPng or OSPF, we want to describe the network topology to utilize NED files.

Example NED File for RIPng Network:

Here’s a sample of simple network including four routers to utilize RIPng as the classless routing protocol:

network RIPngNetwork {

submodules:

router1: RIPngRouter {

@display(“p=100,100”);

}

router2: RIPngRouter {

@display(“p=200,100”);

}

router3: RIPngRouter {

@display(“p=300,100”);

}

router4: RIPngRouter {

@display(“p=200,200”);

}

connections:

router1.eth1 <–> router2.eth1;

router2.eth2 <–> router3.eth1;

router3.eth2 <–> router4.eth1;

router4.eth2 <–> router1.eth2;

}

In this example:

  • RIPngRouter denotes the routers with the support of RIPng protocol.
  • Ethernet interfaces such as eth1, eth2 are utilised for interaction among the routers.
  • Depends on the simulation scenario, we can prolong this topology.
  1. Configure the Simulation Using INI Files

We will set the simulation metrics like the routing protocol, network parameters, and statistics collection to utilise INI file.

Example INI File for RIPng:

network = RIPngNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Routing Protocol: RIPng

*.router1.routingProtocol = “RIPng”

*.router2.routingProtocol = “RIPng”

*.router3.routingProtocol = “RIPng”

*.router4.routingProtocol = “RIPng”

# Enable scalar and vector recording for statistics

*.vector-recording = true

*.scalar-recording = true

# Enable event log recording

*.record-eventlog = true

# Set Ethernet interface parameters

*.router1.eth1.ethernet.linkDataRate = 100Mbps

*.router2.eth1.ethernet.linkDataRate = 100Mbps

*.router3.eth1.ethernet.linkDataRate = 100Mbps

*.router4.eth1.ethernet.linkDataRate = 100Mbps

In this INI file:

  • The RIPng protocol is configured for every router.
  • Allow scalar and vector recording seizing the performance parameters such as throughput and delay.
  • For the connections among routers, ethernet link parameters are configured.
  1. Implement or Modify the Routing Protocol Logic (if needed)

If utilise protocol such as RIPng or OSPFthen we could eliminate these steps since these protocols are already executed within INET. But, if we need to execute or alter the classless protocol, we will require to:

  1. Define the protocol logic: For example, RIPng should contain periodic sending of route maintenance, routing updates, and managing of route changes.
  2. Modify or extend the existing classes: If we are creating an existing protocol such as RIPng or OSPF then we can be prolonged the base classes, which manage the routing tables, message types, and route advertisements.

For example, we should manage:

  • Route Advertisements: Routers broadcast routes to its neighbors.
  • Subnet Masks: Classless routing’s aspects is supporting variable-length subnet masks (VLSM).
  • Routing Table Updates: Dynamically routers update its routing tables depends on network topology changes.
  1. Build and Run the Simulation

When implemented the network topology and protocol sets up, we can be ensued to build and execute the simulation.

Build the Simulation:

  • Choose Build Project in OMNeT++ IDE.
  • Or, in the terminal, we can execute:

make

Run the Simulation:

  • We can be executed the simulation using Cmdenv (command-line) mode:

./run -u Cmdenv

  • Or make use of Tkenv for a graphical representation of the simulation:

./run -u Tkenv

  1. Monitor and Analyze Results

After executing the simulation then we can be examined diverse simulation parameters to utilise:

  • Scalar output: Overall statistics like average hop count, packet delivery ratio, and network throughput.
  • Vector output: In-depth statistics like packets sent/received and route changes for individual nodes.
  • Event log: Monitor events such as route updates, packet transmissions, and so on, in the simulation.

We can be transferred the outcomes into external tools such as MATLAB or Python for detailed analysis or visualizations.

  1. Experiment and Extend the Project

When the basic simulation is functioning then we can:

  1. Test network scalability: Test with larger network topologies estimating the protocol‘s performance.
  2. Add mobility: Incorporate mobility models like Random Waypoint or Gauss-Markov replicating the mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs).
  3. Compare protocols: We need to equate the RIPng including other classless protocols such as OSPF or EIGRP performance parameters.
  4. Energy Efficiency: Add energy models to mimic and enhance the energy consumption for network devices.

Following these steps enables us to initiate and replicate the Classless Protocol projects using OMNeT++ simulation tool and we will extend this project to investigate several features.

Keep connected with phdprojects.org. We guarantee timely results accompanied by thorough explanations. We provide topics and project ideas for Classless Protocol Projects using OMNeT++. We can customize or implement the protocols relevant to your projects, including Classless routing protocols like RIPng (Routing Information Protocol next generation), OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), and more.