How to Start Least Cost Routing Projects Using OMNeT++

To start Least Cost Routing using OMNeT++ environment, we need to find the paths among the nodes, which reduce the total cost like delay, bandwidth usage, or energy consumption. Below is a sequential methodology to replicate and execute the Least Cost Routing in OMNeT++.

Steps to Start Least Cost Routing Project in OMNeT++

  1. Set Up the Environment

Install OMNeT++

  • We should download the new version of OMNeT++ on the system.
  • Adhere to the installation guidance and experiment the configuration including sample projects.

Install INET Framework

  • We have to download the INET framework with OMNeT++ version.
  • Construct the framework:

make makefiles

make

  1. Understand Least Cost Routing

Key Features

  • Path cost is determined according to the predefined parameters such as:
    • Bandwidth
    • Latency
    • Hop count
    • Energy usage
  • Algorithms utilised:
    • Dijkstra’s Algorithm which is generally utilised to find shortest path or least cost.
    • Bellman-Ford Algorithm is appropriate for distributed environments.
  1. Plan Your Simulation

Define Objectives

  • Execute a least-cost routing algorithm.
  • Replicate the performance parameters like:
    • Convergence time.
    • Routing overhead.
    • Cost efficiency of routes.

Network Topology

  • Choose the volume of nodes and its connectivity.
  • Allocate weights (costs) to connects:
    • Fixed costs: Predefined using .ned or .ini files.
    • Dynamic costs: Differ the costs depends on network conditions like congestion.
  1. Create a New OMNeT++ Project
  1. Go to OMNeT++ IDE.
  2. Select File > New > OMNeT++ Project.
  3. Name it to the project such as LeastCostRouting and choose Finish.
  1. Implement Least Cost Routing

Extend or Create a Routing Module

  1. In the INET framework like inet::RoutingTable, prolong an existing routing module.
  2. Execute the Dijkstra’s algorithm for centralized routing or Bellman-Ford for distributed routing.

Example Implementation Using Dijkstra’s Algorithm

Make a custom routing module:

class LeastCostRouting : public cSimpleModule {

private:

std::map<int, double> linkCosts; // Link costs for neighbors

std::map<int, double> distanceVector; // Distance to all nodes

std::map<int, int> nextHop; // Next hop for each destination

protected:

virtual void initialize() override {

int nodeId = getId();

distanceVector[nodeId] = 0; // Cost to itself is 0

for (auto neighbor : getNeighbors()) {

distanceVector[neighbor] = INFINITY; // Initial cost to others

}

}

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override {

auto packet = check_and_cast<RoutingPacket *>(msg);

updateRoutingTable(packet->getDistanceVector());

}

void updateRoutingTable(const std::map<int, double>& receivedVector) {

bool updated = false;

for (const auto& [destination, cost] : receivedVector) {

double newCost = cost + linkCosts[destination];

if (newCost < distanceVector[destination]) {

distanceVector[destination] = newCost;

nextHop[destination] = destination;

updated = true;

}

}

if (updated) {

broadcastDistanceVector();

}

}

void broadcastDistanceVector() {

for (int i = 0; i < gateSize(“out”); ++i) {

auto packet = new RoutingPacket();

packet->setDistanceVector(distanceVector);

send(packet, “out”, i);

}

}

};

  1. Define Network Topology

Create a .ned File

Make a network topology including nodes and link costs in a .ned file:

network LeastCostNetwork {

submodules:

node[10]: StandardHost {

parameters:

@display(“i=device/router”);

routingProtocol = “LeastCostRouting”;

}

connections:

node[0].pppg++ <–> { delay = 10ms; datarate = 10Mbps; cost = 5; } <–> node[1].pppg++;

node[1].pppg++ <–> { delay = 15ms; datarate = 5Mbps; cost = 10; } <–> node[2].pppg++;

}

  1. Configure the Simulation

Add Parameters in omnetpp.ini

Set the simulation metrics and link costs using .ini files:

[Config LeastCostSimulation]

network = LeastCostNetwork

*.node[*].routingProtocol = “LeastCostRouting”

*.node[*].initialEnergy = 100J

*.linkCost = uniform(1, 10) # Random link costs

simulation.timeLimit = 100s

  1. Run the Simulation
  • Make use of Tkenv for envisioning the network and packet flow in OMNeT++ environment.
  • Observe the convergence time, routing table updates, and packet delivery.
  1. Analyze Results

Evaluate Metrics

  • Cost Efficiency:
    • We need to equate the computed paths including theoretical least-cost paths.
  • Convergence Time:
    • Estimate the duration for every node to become stable its routing tables.
  • Routing Overhead:
    • Compute the volume of control messages that are swapped in routing.

Visualization

  • Make use of OMNeT++’s built-in tools for:
    • Envisioning network traffic.
    • Recording routing table updates.
  • Transfer outcomes into external tools like MATLAB or Python for further analysis.
  1. Extend and Optimize

Dynamic Cost Adjustments

  • Mimic real-time changes within link costs according to the:
    • Traffic congestion.
    • Node energy levels.

Handle Failures

  • Launch link or node failures for experiment the resilience of protocol.

Compare with Other Protocols

  • We need to replicate and equate the least-cost routing including protocols such as OSPF or RIP.

Following these steps enable you to simulate and implement the Least Cost Routing projects using OMNeT++ environment and we can extend the project to investigate several features and more insights as required.

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