How to run Switched Mesh Topology Projects Using OMNeT

To start a Switched Mesh Topology project in OMNeT++, we can design a network in which nodes are connected through the switches for making a highly reliable and scalable interaction configuration. These topologies are frequently utilised within data centers, enterprise networks, and backbone networks.

Steps to Start Switched Mesh Topology Project in OMNeT++

  1. Set Up OMNeT++
  1. Install OMNeT++: We can download and install the new version of OMNeT++ environment on the machine.
  2. Install INET Framework:
    • The INET framework offers support for switches, routers, and other network devices.
    • We should download INET using GitHub repository and compile it.
  1. Understand Switched Mesh Topology
  • Switches: Key devices, which manage the packet forwarding among nodes.
  • Mesh Connectivity: Nodes are connected that offering several routes for interaction.
  • Redundancy: It supports high reliability by means of making sure alternate routes lest of failures.
  1. Define the Network Topology

Create switched mesh topology to utilise OMNeT++ NED (Network Description Language).

Example: Basic Switched Mesh Topology

network SwitchedMeshTopology

{

submodules:

switch[2]: EtherSwitch {

@display(“i=device/switch”);

}

host[4]: StandardHost {

@display(“i=device/pc”);

}

connections:

// Switch-to-Switch Links

switch[0].ethg++ <–> switch[1].ethg++;

// Switch-to-Host Links

host[0].ethg++ <–> switch[0].ethg++;

host[1].ethg++ <–> switch[0].ethg++;

host[2].ethg++ <–> switch[1].ethg++;

host[3].ethg++ <–> switch[1].ethg++;

}

  1. Configure Simulation Parameters

Configure the simulation metrics like bandwidth, delay, and traffic patterns using omnetpp.ini file.

Example Configuration:

network = SwitchedMeshTopology

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Ethernet link settings

*.eth[*].datarate = 1Gbps

*.eth[*].delay = 1ms

# Application settings (traffic generation)

*.host[0].numApps = 1

*.host[0].app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.host[0].app[0].destAddresses = “host[3]”

*.host[0].app[0].messageLength = 1024B

*.host[0].app[0].sendInterval = exponential(1s)

# Switch settings

*.switch[*].macForwardingTableSize = 1000  # Adjust size as needed

*.switch[*].bufferSize = 10MB

  1. Add Traffic Generation

To utilise application modules such as UdpBasicApp or TcpApp, make traffic among the hosts.

Example Traffic Configuration:

*.host[1].numApps = 1

*.host[1].app[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”

*.host[1].app[0].connectAddress = “host[2]”

*.host[1].app[0].startTime = 5s

*.host[1].app[0].numPackets = 100

  1. Implement Switching Behavior

In mesh topology, switches need appropriate forwarding logic:

  1. In INET framework, make use of EtherSwitch module for standard Ethernet switching.
  2. If we want custom logic like VLANs or load balancing then execute it using C++.

Example: Custom Switching Logic in C++

void CustomSwitch::handlePacket(cMessage *msg) {

if (isBroadcast(msg)) {

broadcastPacket(msg);

} else {

forwardPacketToPort(msg, lookupPort(msg));

}

}

  1. Run the Simulation
  1. In OMNeT++ IDE, execute the project.
  2. Envision the switched mesh topology and packet flow.
  3. Debug and confirm behavior of the network to utilise logs and statistics.
  1. Analyze Performance
  • Metrics to Monitor:
    • Switch buffer utilization.
    • Packet delivery ratio.
    • Throughput and latency.
  • Failure Scenarios:
    • Replicate the link or node failures to experiment redundancy.
  1. Extend the Project

We expand the project according to the project’s goals:

  • VLAN Implementation: Replicate VLAN sets up for traffic segmentation.
  • Load Balancing: Execute the load balancing over numerous switches.
  • Fault Tolerance: Integrate protocols from link or node failures for automatic retrieval.
  • Advanced Traffic Patterns: Mimic burst traffic or real-world workloads for traffic models.
  1. Document the Project
  • It offers comprehensive insights about the topology, sets up, and key findings.
  • Also, it has graphs or charts to specific performance parameters.

Example Use Cases

  1. Data Center Networking:
    • In switched mesh topology, replicate server-to-server interaction.
  2. Enterprise Networks:
    • Measure VLAN configurations or redundancy techniques.
  3. IoT Backbones:
    • Experiment the reliability and scalability within mesh topology for connected IoT devices.

By using OMNeT++, we had presented detailed guide for creating and replicating the Switched Mesh Topology projects that contains simple configuration, and research or project objectives with further specifies to be incorporated into the next manual.