How to Start Delay Tolerant Networks Projects Using NS3

To start a Delay Tolerant Network (DTN) project using NS3 that needs to contain replicating networks, which undergo often disconnections, high latency, or both. DTNs are categorised by way of its “store-carry-forward” mechanism where once a connection is unobtainable, nodes save data temporarily and send it when a connection turn out to be available. Utilize mobility models, packet buffering, and custom applications, NS3 environment know how to replicate these characteristics. We provide a series of steps that helps you to start the Delay Tolerant Networks projects using NS3.

Steps to Start Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN) Projects in NS3

  1. Set Up NS3 Environment
  1. Install NS3 and its dependencies:

./waf configure –enable-examples –enable-tests

./waf build

  1. Verify Modules: Make sure that WiFi and mobility modules are allowed since for DTN simulations they are significant. NS3 does not contain a built-in DTN module, thus utilize applications and mobility models, we will want making custom DTN-like behavior.
  1. Understand the Components of Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs)

Following is a crucial DTN’s characteristics:

  • Intermittent Connectivity: Nodes are not for all time in connection that directing to delayed data transfers.
  • Store-Carry-Forward Mechanism: Nodes keep the packets awaiting them to meet another node sending them.
  • Long Latency Tolerance: DTNs take high delays, appropriate for situations such as deep-space interaction and remote areas including restricted connectivity to create them.
  1. Define the Network Topology

Nodes may travel often in and beyond the area in DTN simulations. Make a network topology in which nodes adhere to mobility patterns, which replicate the intermittent connectivity.

For instance, we can configure the nodes including a mobility model, which triggers periodic disconnections.

Example Setup: Nodes Moving in and Out of Range

  1. Define the Nodes: In a DTN, make several nodes to signify mobile devices.
  2. Set Up Wireless Communication: For node communications, we utilize WiFi or Ad-Hoc interaction.
  3. Configure Mobility Models: Describe movement patterns replicating the temporary connections and disconnections.

Below is an example NS3 script to configure a simple DTN-like scenario:

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/mobility-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/wifi-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(5); // 5 mobile nodes

// Set up WiFi (Ad-Hoc mode) for DTN

WifiHelper wifi;

wifi.SetStandard(WIFI_PHY_STANDARD_80211b);

YansWifiPhyHelper wifiPhy = YansWifiPhyHelper::Default();

YansWifiChannelHelper wifiChannel = YansWifiChannelHelper::Default();

wifiPhy.SetChannel(wifiChannel.Create());

WifiMacHelper wifiMac;

wifiMac.SetType(“ns3::AdhocWifiMac”);

NetDeviceContainer devices = wifi.Install(wifiPhy, wifiMac, nodes);

// Install the Internet stack

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper address;

address.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = address.Assign(devices);

// Configure mobility model for DTN-like behavior

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetPositionAllocator(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”,

“X”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=100.0]”),

“Y”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=0.0|Max=100.0]”));

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::RandomWaypointMobilityModel”,

“Speed”, StringValue(“ns3::UniformRandomVariable[Min=1.0|Max=5.0]”),

“Pause”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=2.0]”),

“PositionAllocator”, StringValue(“ns3::RandomRectanglePositionAllocator”));

mobility.Install(nodes);

// Create a custom application or use UDP to simulate data exchange with delay tolerance

uint16_t port = 8080;

OnOffHelper onOffHelper(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address(“255.255.255.255”), port));

onOffHelper.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Mbps”));

onOffHelper.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

ApplicationContainer apps = onOffHelper.Install(nodes.Get(0));

apps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

apps.Stop(Seconds(20.0));

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(20.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Implement Store-Carry-Forward Behavior

While NS3 doesn’t contain a built-in DTN module then we will require simulating the store-carry-forward behavior of DTN:

  1. Data Buffering: For each node, execute the packet buffer to keep the packets, for transmission if no adjacent node is available.
  2. Forwarding Strategy: Improve a custom application, which confirms occasionally if nearby nodes are obtainable and sends buffered packets once they are.
  3. Custom Application: Make an application, which “carries” the packet once no other node is within a range and when a connection is identified, sends it.
  1. Create a DTN-like Application

To replicate the behavior of DTN, make a custom application that:

  • Once no connection is obtainable, keeps packets.
  • For adjacent nodes, verifies periodically.
  • Sends buffered packets when a node arrives within range.

For instance, we can make a custom NS3 application, for connectivity changes which pay attention and then handle a buffer storing packets until they can be transmitted.

  1. Monitor and Collect Performance Metrics

In DTN, accumulate performance parameters, which are significant utilizing NS-3’s FlowMonitor like:

  • Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Assess the rate of packets well delivered since DTNs normally undergo high packet drop rates.
  • Latency: Compute the end-to-end delay that will be importantly higher within DTNs because of the store-carry-forward mechanism.
  • Hop Count: Monitor the volume of hops for each packet obtains since packets are opportunistically sent over nodes.

Example to set up FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowmon;

Ptr<FlowMonitor> monitor = flowmon.InstallAll();

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“dtn-flowmon.xml”, true, true);

  1. Experiment with Different Mobility Models and Buffer Sizes

Node mobility and buffer sizes heavily impact the performance in DTNs:

  • Mobility Models: Test with diverse mobility models such as RandomWaypointMobilityModel or GaussMarkovMobilityModel monitoring how they impact the connectivity and delivery times.
  • Buffer Management: Restrict buffer sizes monitoring the influence over delivery ratio and latency because in DTNs buffer overflow is a general issue.
  1. Visualize and Analyze Results

Envision and examine the outcomes utilizing tools such as NetAnim or trace file analysis:

  • NetAnim: In real-time, we can envision node movements and connectivity modifications.
  • FlowMonitor Output: From the FlowMonitor result, examine delivery ratio, delays, and hop counts.

Here, we had shown how to understand the DTN modules, implement the behaviour and analyse its outcomes for Delay Tolerant Networks projects, which were started in NS3 platform. Likewise, we will also be presented further insights on this topic.

For further assistance, please contact us via email to receive optimal ideas and simulations. Our expertise encompasses mobility models, packet buffering, and the development of custom applications tailored to your projects. To initiate Delay Tolerant Networks projects utilizing the NS3 tool, we at phdprojects.org are committed to providing you with innovative research guidance and the most suitable research topics aligned with your interests.