How to Start Data Centric Protocol Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a Data-Centric Protocol project in OMNeT++, it is commonly created for enhancing the way, in a network data is routed and handled that specifically within scenarios in which the content or data is the main focus instead of the destination addresses as in traditional IP-based routing. Data-centric protocols’ sample has Named Data Networking (NDN), Content-Centric Networking (CCN), and other similar architectures.

We can be mimicked data-centric protocols by designing the network behavior, modeling routing mechanisms depends on the data names or content identifiers, and handling according to the interests or requests how data flows through the network in OMNeT++.

Steps to Start Data-Centric Protocol Project in OMNeT++

  1. Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework
  • We should install OMNeT++ and download it on the system.
  • Install INET Framework: It is crucial to design networking protocols with IP and routing protocols. Utilise GitHub repository to download it.
  1. Understand Data-Centric Networking (DCN)
  • Data is forwarded by content names instead of IP addresses in Data-Centric Networking. It has some protocols such as Named Data Networking (NDN) or Content-Centric Networking (CCN), which employ content identifiers to route information.
  • The common idea is making a network in which nodes are interested in extracting data like multimedia files or sensor data instead of routing packets to certain destinations.
  1. Set Up the OMNeT++ Project
  • Make a new OMNeT++ project for data-centric protocol:
    • Go to OMNeT++ IDE and click File → New → OMNeT++ Project.
    • Name it to the project like DataCentricProtocolSimulation.
  1. Define the Network Topology (NED Files)
  • Create a network topology, which models the scenario in a collection of nodes that demand and in a mesh-like or hierarchical structure then offer content.
  • We can describe the content requesters (consumer nodes) and content providers (producer nodes).

Example DataCentricNetwork.ned:

network DataCentricNetwork

{

submodules:

producer: DataProducer;

consumer: DataConsumer;

router1: Router;

router2: Router;

connections:

consumer.ethg++ <–> Ethernet <–> router1.ethg++;

router1.ethg++ <–> Ethernet <–> router2.ethg++;

router2.ethg++ <–> Ethernet <–> producer.ethg++;

}

  • Now, consumer is the data requester, the routers (router1 and router2) and producer is the content provider, are utilised to send information via network.
  1. Create Modules for Data-Centric Routing (Producer/Consumer)
  • Make Consumer modules and Producer modules. The Producer node will be saved and worked data whereas the Consumer will demands by name or identifier for data.
  • Create a Router component transmitting demands and replies.

Example DataProducer.ned:

simple DataProducer

{

parameters:

string contentName = default(“dataFile”);

gates:

input in;

output out;

}

Producer Module Implementation (C++):

class DataProducer : public cSimpleModule

{

private:

void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

public:

DataProducer();

~DataProducer();

};

Define_Module(DataProducer);

DataProducer::DataProducer() {}

DataProducer::~DataProducer() {}

void DataProducer::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (msg->isSelfMessage()) {

// Handle any periodic behavior if needed

} else {

// Process a request and send the requested content

send(msg, “out”);

}

}

Example DataConsumer.ned:

simple DataConsumer

{

parameters:

string requestData = default(“dataFile”);

gates:

input in;

output out;

}

Consumer Module Implementation (C++):

class DataConsumer : public cSimpleModule

{

private:

void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

public:

DataConsumer();

~DataConsumer();

};

Define_Module(DataConsumer);

DataConsumer::DataConsumer() {}

DataConsumer::~DataConsumer() {}

void DataConsumer::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

// Process content requests, typically sending out interest messages to find content

if (msg->getKind() == INTEREST) {

// Send a content request

send(msg, “out”);

}

}

  1. Implement Data-Centric Protocol (Interest and Data Packets)
  • Interest Packets: These packets are denotes the requests for certain information and the consumers will be transmitted these packets to routers or producers.
  • Data Packets: These are the replies to the interest packets which have requested content.

For interest and data packets, we describe a custom message type.

Example InterestData.msg:

message InterestPacket

{

string contentName;

}

message DataPacket

{

string contentName;

string contentData;

}

  • In this configuration, InterestPacket denotes a packet demand for data, and DataPacket signifies the data to be send back.
  1. Data-Centric Routing Logic
  • The routing logic will want to manage the DataPackets to send back the content toward demanding consumer and InterestPackets sending to determine the content.
  • According to the content names within interest packets, routers will be transmitted packets to make sure that the information is return from the new producer.

Example Routing Logic (C++ for Router):

class DataRouter : public cSimpleModule

{

private:

void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

public:

DataRouter();

~DataRouter();

};

Define_Module(DataRouter);

void DataRouter::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)

{

if (msg->getKind() == INTEREST) {

// Forward the interest packet towards the content producer

send(msg, “out”);

} else if (msg->getKind() == DATA) {

// Send the data back to the requester

send(msg, “out”);

}

}

  • In this example, the router just sends the packets. Depends on the network topology, or executing further data-centric algorithms such as Routing via Interest Forwarding (RIF), we may insert additional sophisticated routing.
  1. Configure Simulation Parameters (INI File)
  • Set the simulation metrics using the omnetpp.ini file for the simulation.

Example omnetpp.ini:

network = DataCentricNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

**.producer.contentName = “dataFile”

**.consumer.requestData = “dataFile”

  • This configuration sets the content name for the producer and for the consumer, the demand the information.
  1. Compile and Build the Project
  • When we are inscribed the NED files, C++ code, and set up the simulation metrics then we can executed and created the project using OMNeT++:
    • Execute the project to utilise the OMNeT++ IDE.
    • On the other hand, within the terminal we need to use the make command.
  1. Run the Simulation
  • After setting the project then we can be executed the simulation, monitoring how data is demanded and offered through network.
  • Execute the simulation, we need to utilise Cmdenv (command-line) or Tkenv (graphical).

Command to run:

./run -u Cmdenv

  1. Analyze Results
  • Examine the outcomes with analysing packet delivery, request-response times, and network performance using OMNeT++’s analysis tools.
  • Monitor how the data-centric protocol functions in various network conditions with the support of OMNeT++’s Result Analysis or Visualizations.

Additional Tips:

  • Performance Metrics: Estimate the crucial performance parameters like data retrieval latency, packet delivery ratio, and network throughput.
  • Scalability: Experiment the protocol in diverse network sizes, estimating the scalability.
  • Routing Optimization: Test with various forwarding strategies, enhancing the routing of interest and data packets.

If you need help with Data Centric Protocol Projects using OMNeT++, we can take care of it for you! At phdprojects.org, our team is focused on delivering thorough research, organized content, and effective writing. For personalized support, don’t hesitate to contact us at phdprojects.org. We have a lot of experience with Named Data Networking (NDN), Content-Centric Networking (CCN), and other related systems.