How to Start DSR Protocol Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a Dynamic Source Routing (DSR) protocol project using OMNeT++, we follow structured approach to make or prolong the modules, replicating the crucial features of DSR protocol. DSR is a reactive routing protocol which is intended for wireless ad-hoc networks. Below is simple guide to get started:

Steps to Start DSR Protocol Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Understand DSR Protocol Basics
  • Key Features:
    • Source Routing: Entire route is contained within the packet header.
    • Route Discovery: Nodes propagate the Route Request (RREQ) messages to determine a route.
    • Route Maintenance: Nodes observe the links, making sure that routes stay valid.
  • Advantages: This protocol is appropriate for networks including often topology changes.
  • RFC Reference: Focus on RFC 4728 for in-depth requirements.
  1. Set Up OMNeT++ Environment
  • Install OMNeT++: We should download and install OMNeT++ on the system.
  • Install INET Framework: INET framework offers wireless interaction models and routing protocol patterns.
    • Clone the INET repository: Copy this GitHub link https://github.com/inet-framework/inet.git
    • Execute and incorporate it including OMNeT++.
  1. Explore Existing Implementations
  • Confirm if DSR already exists then we are utilising INET framework. Unless, we will want to execute it or adjust an existing reactive protocol such as AODV.
  1. Plan the DSR Project
  • Define Goals:
    • Execute the Route Discovery and Route Maintenance processes of DSR.
    • In wireless ad-hoc network, replicate the DSR protocol.
    • Examine the performance of DSR in diverse conditions such as node mobility, traffic patterns.
  • Metrics to Analyze:
    • End-to-end delay.
    • Routing overhead.
    • Packet delivery ratio.
  1. Design the Simulation
  • Topology:
    • Design a basic wireless network including nodes are located arbitrarily or within a grid.
    • If needed then we can insert mobility models.
  • Traffic:
    • Make use of UDP or TCP traffic, replicating data flow among the nodes.
  • Parameters:
    • Configure the simulation metrics such as node transmission range, mobility speed, and packet generation rate.
  1. Implement the DSR Protocol
  • Route Discovery:
    • Broadcast RREQ: For broadcasting Route Request messages, execute a mechanism.
    • Route Reply (RREP): Nodes which identify the path or are the destination transmit a Route Reply to the source again.
    • Route Cache: Every single node sustains a cache of known routes minimising discovery overhead.
  • Route Maintenance:
    • We need to execute the mechanisms for identifying link failures with the support of acknowledgments or timeouts.
    • Once a link is broken, propagate Route Error (RERR) messages.
  • Packet Forwarding:
    • Fine-tune packet headers with source route.
    • Make sure that intermediate nodes to utilise the header for packet forwarding.
  1. Configure OMNeT++ Simulation Files
  • Network Topology (NED File):
    • We have to describe the network nodes and its wireless connections.

network WirelessAdhocNetwork

{

submodules:

node1: WirelessNode;

node2: WirelessNode;

node3: WirelessNode;

connections:

node1.wlan++ <–> node2.wlan++;

node2.wlan++ <–> node3.wlan++;

}

  • Simulation Parameters (.ini File):
    • Configure the simulation metrics with mobility, traffic, and protocol settings.

*.node[*].routingProtocol = “DSR”

*.node[*].mobility.speed = uniform(1mps, 5mps)

*.connections.delay = 10ms

  1. Simulate Traffic
  • Replicate the traffic to utilise application models of INET.
  • For instance,
    • Configure UDP flows among the random nodes to experiment route discovery and maintenance.
  1. Validate and Test
  • Basic Functionality:
    • Confirm that routes are properly determined.
    • Verify route maintenance in the course of node mobility or link failures.
  • Performance Testing:
    • We should examine the protocol in diverse network sizes, mobility patterns, and traffic loads.
  • Debugging:
    • Make use of OMNeT++’s debug tools, observing control message exchanges (RREQ, RREP, RERR).
  1. Analyze Results
  • Key Metrics:
    • Estimate the crucial performance parameters such as packet delivery ratio, delay, and routing overhead.
  • Visualization:
    • Transfer logs into external OMNeT++’s GUI tools like MATLAB or Python for detailed analysis.
  1. Extend the Project
  • Enhancements:
    • Execute the optimizations such as cache management or route aggregation.
    • To mimic energy-aware routing or secure DSR protocol for developments.
  • Comparison:
    • We need to equate the DSR protocol with other protocols such as AODV or OLSR within same scenarios.

We can discover more insights for DSR protocol projects, which were implemented and analysed using this simple procedure in OMNeT++ environment with further elaboration to be include in the next manual.

Our team of developers improves the reactive routing protocol to meet the specific requirements of your project. If you require expert support for DSR Protocol Projects using OMNeT++, feel free to contact us at phdprojects.org for customized help.