How to Start BGP Projects Using OMNeT++

To start a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) project in OMNeT++ has multiple steps. OMNeT++ is a discrete-event simulation framework designed for replicating networking protocols such as BGP. To get started, we want to install OMNeT++, incorporate BGP support, and configure the simulation environment.

We follow this stepwise approach:

Steps to Start BGP Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Install OMNeT++

Before you can replicate the BGP, OMNeT++ must be installed. Here’s how to do it:

  • Download OMNeT++: Visit OMNeT++ official site to download the proper version based on the OS.
  • Install Dependencies: Ensure the required libraries, such as CMake and GCC (on Linux) or Xcode (on macOS). Make sure these requirements are installed.
  • Build OMNeT++: Extract the downloaded file and follow the offered build instruction ./buildenv script (on Linux/macOS) or use Visual Studio (on Windows) to OMNeT++ on the system.
  1. Familiarize Yourself with OMNeT++ Basics

Before diving into BGP, it’s crucial to know the foundational concepts OMNeT++. Key points to focus on include:

  • Modules and Networks: OMNeT++ uses modular structures to represent network, which communicate with each other. The primary modules are:
    • Simple modules: Denote the individual network devices like routers, hosts, and so on.
    • Compound modules: It simple modules to create network.
    • NED files: Specify the network topology and its structure.
  • Simulation Parameters: Utilise .ini configuration files in OMNeT++ to set up essential details such as simulation time, network parameters, configuration.
  1. Check for BGP Model Support in OMNeT++

OMNeT++ does not include a support BGP model. However, BGP executions are available via third-party modules or research projects. One widely used resources is the INET Framework that offers a variety of network models with support for BGP.

  • INET Framework: This is a popular OMNeT++ framework designed for modelling diverse network protocols, containing routing protocols like BGP.
    • Download INET: Download the INET repository using INET GitHub.
    • Build INET: We adhere to its repository’s instructions to build and combine the framework with OMNeT++.
  1. Set Up Your BGP Simulation Environment

If we are utilising INET framework, BGP is already included in the inet.routing.bgp package. To set up the simulation:

  • Create the Network Topology: Model the network to utilise NED files to replicate the routers, links, and BGP sessions.
  • Define BGP Routers: Make use of the BGP module in INET to specify routers, which will execute the BGP.

Here’s an example of a simple topology containing BGP routers:

network BGPNetwork {

submodules:

bgpRouter1: BgpRouter {

@display(“p=100,100”);

}

bgpRouter2: BgpRouter {

@display(“p=300,100”);

}

connections:

bgpRouter1.eth++ <–> bgpRouter2.eth++;

}

  1. Configure BGP Parameters

Utilise .ini configuration file to set the BGP metrics like:

  • BGP AS Numbers: Configure the Autonomous System (AS) amount per BGP router.
  • BGP Peering: Define the IP addresses of BGP peers (neighbors) and other BGP-related metics.

Example configuration for BGP parameters:

network = BGPNetwork

sim-time-limit = 1000s

[Config BGP]

*.bgpRouter1.routingTableClass = “BgpRoutingTable”

*.bgpRouter1.bgp AS = 65001

*.bgpRouter1.bgp.neighbors[0].ipAddress = “192.168.0.2”

*.bgpRouter2.bgp AS = 65002

*.bgpRouter2.bgp.neighbors[0].ipAddress = “192.168.0.1”

  1. Run the Simulation

Once the network is set up and the BGP parameters are configured, we can proceed with the simulations:

  • Compile the Project: Make use of OMNeT++’s IDE or command tools to construct the simulation.
  • Run the Simulation: Introduce the simulation from either the OMNeT++ IDE or through the command line.

To monitor how BGP routers exchange routing data, it’s utilise logs or OMNeT++’s built-in tools.

  1. Analyze the Results

OMNeT++ offers several tools to examine the simulation outcomes:

  • Result Recording: Gather and review statistics such as BGP route advertisements, network latency, and path changes.
  • Visualization: Utilise the OMNeT++ GUI to envision the network topologies, routing decisions, and BGP messages.

We can also inspect BGP routing tables, AS path updates, and other parameters to understand how the protocol performs in various network conditions.

  1. Extend and Customize the BGP Model

We need to change or enhance the BGP model based on certain simulation requirements or research objectives:

  • Change the existing BgpRoutingTable or BgpRouter modules.
  • We need to execute more BGP aspects like route reflectors, route aggregation, or further filtering.

Summary of Key Steps

  1. We should install OMNeT++ and configure the environment.
  2. Learn about OMNeT++ foundational concepts such as modules, network configurations, NED files.
  3. We need to download and incorporate the INET Framework that supports BGP.
  4. Create a network topology and set BGP parameters using the .ini file.
  5. Execute the simulation and then examine the outcomes.

By adhering to these steps, you can begin replicating BGP using OMNeT++ and build upon the project to examine diverse BGP aspects and network behaviours. More relevant insights will be added later.

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