How to Start Interior Gateway Routing Protocol Using OMNeT++

To start an Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) in OMNeT++, we want to replicate or execute the protocols’ behaviour within a network environment. EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector routing protocol is generally utilised within large IP networks that employs a Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) estimating optimal route to a destination. Below is a sequential method to get started with EIGRP using OMNeT++.

Steps to Start EIGRP Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Set Up OMNeT++ Environment

Download and Install OMNeT++:

  • We should download OMNeT++ environment on the system.
  • Adhere to the installation guidance based on the operating system.

Install INET Framework:

  • INET Framework offers a collection of predefined modules with routing protocols for network simulations. We want to make simulation.
  • Go to INET GitHub repository to download the INET framework.
  • Then, we follow the guidance to execute and connect the INET with OMNeT++.
  1. Understand EIGRP Protocol Basics

EIGRP is an advanced distance-vector routing protocol, which integrates the benefits of both distance-vector and link-state protocols. Following is EIGRP crucial aspects:

  • DUAL (Diffusing Update Algorithm): A main aspect of EIGRP, which permits it to compute the finest route rapidly to a destination and respond to network changes.
  • Metric Calculation: EIGRP employs a metric, which integrate the bandwidth, delay, load, and reliability.
  • Neighbor Discovery and Communication: EIGRP routers determine the each other by swapping hello packets and also sustain adjacency data.
  • Reliable Transport: EIGRP offers routing data reliable transport to utilise reliable multicast and unicast mechanisms.

OMNeT++ doesn’t support EIGRP’s an advanced execution thus we will require to either:

  1. Execute the EIGRP from scratch, or
  2. Prolong existing protocols such as RIP or OSPF, replicating the behavior of EIGRP.
  1. Create a New OMNeT++ Project
  1. Create the Project:
    • Go to OMNeT++ IDE and select File > New > OMNeT++ Project.
    • Name it to the project as EIGRPProject.
  2. Link to INET Framework:
    • Right-click the project, choose Properties > Project References, and go to INET connecting the INET project.
  1. Define Network Topology

We want to make a network topology, which includes several routers (each running EIGRP) that are associated to each other to replicate EIGRP.

Example NED File for Network Topology:

network EIGRPNetwork {

submodules:

router1: Router {

@display(“p=100,100”);

}

router2: Router {

@display(“p=200,100”);

}

router3: Router {

@display(“p=300,100”);

}

router4: Router {

@display(“p=400,100”);

}

connections allowunconnected:

router1.pppg++ <–> router2.pppg++;

router2.pppg++ <–> router3.pppg++;

router3.pppg++ <–> router4.pppg++;

}

This specifies a basic network containing 4 routers that are linked within a chain. Depends on the simulation needs, we can make more complex topologies.

  1. Implement or Extend EIGRP

While OMNeT++ doesn’t directly support for EIGRP then we have two options such as:

  1. Execute the EIGRP from scratch, or
  2. Prolong an existing routing protocol such as RIP or OSPF replicating the behaviour of EIGRP.

Implementing EIGRP from Scratch:

We will prolong the OMNeT++’s cSimpleModule class, executing EIGRP’s essential functions.

Following steps for executing the EIGRP‘s basic aspects:

  1. Initialize Routing Table: Make a routing table within each router to save routes and parameters.
  2. Neighbor Discovery: Determine the neighbors with the support of EIGRP Hello packets. This method is same to how OSPF and RIP find the adjacent routers.
  3. Exchange Routing Information: Swap routing data periodically to utilise update packets of EIGRP.
  4. DUAL Algorithm: Execute the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL), computing optimal route. It contains to sustain Successor (best route) and Feasible Successor (backup route).
  5. Reliable Transport: Transmit the updates to neighbors utilising reliable multicast/unicast, to make sure that packets are distributed reliably.

We will make custom modules or prolong the existing modules. Here’s an advanced outline of a custom EIGRPRouter class, which might be utilised, managing the EIGRP operations:

class EIGRPRouter : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

// Routing table

std::map<int, Route> routingTable;

virtual void initialize() {

// Initialize the routing table and set up EIGRP timers

}

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

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

processHelloPacket(msg);

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

processUpdatePacket(msg);

}

}

void processHelloPacket(cMessage *msg) {

// Handle the Hello packet to discover neighbors

}

void processUpdatePacket(cMessage *msg) {

// Process EIGRP update packets, update the routing table

}

void sendEIGRPUpdate() {

// Send an EIGRP update to neighbors

}

void applyDUAL() {

// Implement the Diffusing Update Algorithm to calculate best routes

}

virtual void finish() {

// Clean up resources, output results, etc.

}

};

Extending an Existing Routing Protocol (like RIP or OSPF):

If we are prolonging an existing protocol then we can:

  • Change the RIP or OSPF module to assist EIGRP-specific operations.
  • Integrate the EIGRP-specific message types like Hello and Update packets.
  • For computing the optimal path, execute the DUAL algorithm.
  1. Configure Simulation Parameters

We want to set the simulation using omnetpp.ini file. For example, define the routing protocols and metrics for EIGRP, and the network topology.

Example Configuration in omnetpp.ini:

network = EIGRPNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Set the routing protocol for all routers

*.router1.routingProtocol = “EIGRPRouter”

*.router2.routingProtocol = “EIGRPRouter”

*.router3.routingProtocol = “EIGRPRouter”

*.router4.routingProtocol = “EIGRPRouter”

# Set the timers for EIGRP Hello and Update messages

*.router1.helloInterval = 5s

*.router1.updateInterval = 30s

*.router2.helloInterval = 5s

*.router2.updateInterval = 30s

# Enable debug logs for EIGRP packet processing

*.router1.debug = true

*.router2.debug = true

In this set up, each router is applying the EIGRPRouter module then for EIGRP, we delineate the Hello interval and Update interval.

  1. Run the Simulation

After configuring the topology, to execute EIGRP, and set the metrics then we can execute the simulation:

  • In the OMNeT++ IDE, execute the simulation with the help of Qtenv or Tkenv.
  • Envision the network, monitoring how EIGRP routers determine the neighbors, swap routing data, and modernize its routing tables.

Debugging and Monitoring:

  • For certain router modules, permit the debug logs monitoring how EIGRP Hello and Update messages are swapped.
  • We need to observe the routing table updates and confirm the path selection to utilize DUAL.
  1. Analyze the Results

When the simulation is accomplished then we examine the below parameters such as:

  • Routing Table Updates: Estimate how frequently routing table updates happen.
  • Convergence Time: We have to compute how rapidly the network meets once topology changes happen.
  • Routing Overhead: Monitor the volume of packets that are transmitted/received (Hello packets, update packets).
  • Path Selection: We track how EIGRP selects the optimal route to utilise the DUAL algorithm.
  1. Extend the Project

When the EIGRP’s basic functionality is functioning then we can be prolonged the project with the following:

  • Multiple Network Topologies: Experiment with larger and more complex topologies.
  • MPLS Integration: Combine EIGRP including MPLS for traffic engineering.
  • QoS and Traffic Engineering: We execute the EIGRP-based QoS and traffic engineering by changing the metric computations and in metric function, inserting aspects such Bandwidth, Delay, and Reliability.
  1. Documentation and Reporting

It offers valuable insights for project and findings:

  • Describe the EIGRP protocol and how it is executed within OMNeT++.
  • Define the network topology that is used within the simulation.
  • Indicate the outcomes using graphs for routing updates.

In this project, we can discover more details on EIGRP projects, which were implemented and examined using this simple procedure within OMNeT++ environment. Likewise, we will present advanced approach on this topic as needed.

We have a firm policy against plagiarism, ensuring that your final thesis will be completely original. Feel free to reach out to phdprojects.org, and we will assist you with your Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol Projects Using OMNeT++ by providing you with comprehensive guidance.