How to Start Distance Vector Routing Projects Using NS3

To start a Distance Vector Routing project in NS3 which replicates a protocol in which routers share distance data including neighbors, finding the optimal path to a destination. The classic instance is the Routing Information Protocol (RIP). While NS3 doesn’t have RIP, we can be replicated a distance vector routing protocol by prolonging NS3 or utilising their existing aspects.

We follow the below steps to get started the Distance Vector Routing Projects using NS3:

Steps to Start Distance Vector Routing Project in NS3

  1. Understand Distance Vector Routing
  • How It Works:
    • Routers swap the routing tables including its instant neighbors.
    • Every single entry in the table like:
      • Destination network.
      • Cost (distance) attaining the destination.
      • Next hop.
    • Updates are periodic and caused by modifications within topology.
  • Key Features:
    • We can utilize Bellman-Ford algorithm, computing the shortest path.
    • If we try to avoid the loops, to utilize methods such as split horizon, route poisoning, or hold-down timers.
  1. Set Up NS3
  • Install NS3:
    • Go to nsnam.org to download and install the NS3 environment.
    • We adhere to the installation instructions.
  • Verify Installation:

./waf –run scratch/test-example

  • Required Modules:
    • internet: It is utilised for IP functionality.
    • point-to-point or wifi: These modules are helpful for making network topologies.
  1. Plan Your Distance Vector Routing Simulation
  • Define Objectives:
    • Initially, we replicate a simple distance vector protocol.
    • Estimate their performance in various topologies and network conditions.
  • Topology:
    • Simple topology: Several nodes are associated within a line or ring.
    • For instance, Node A ↔ Node B ↔ Node C ↔ Node D.
  • Metrics to Evaluate:
    • After topology modifications, we can estimate the convergence time.
    • We need to update and overhead routing table.
    • We measure end-to-end delay and throughput.
  1. Set Up Distance Vector Routing Simulation

NS3 environment does not directly support a built-in RIP execution. We can:

  1. Implement a Custom Distance Vector Protocol:
    • We make a custom application, replicating the RIP behavior or a same protocol.
  2. Use Dynamic Routing with Existing Protocols:
    • We can be utilized AODV, which is a reactive protocol that contains distance vector principles.

4.1 Implement a Custom Distance Vector Protocol

Step 1: Define a Routing Protocol Class

Prolong the Ipv4RoutingProtocol class, executing custom routing logic.

Step 2: Simulate Routing Table Exchanges

  • Sustain routing tables on every single node.
  • Occasionally, we can swap the tables or if caused by topology modifications.

Step 3: Update Routing Tables

  • We update the paths according to the received tables using Bellman-Ford algorithm.

Example: Custom Distance Vector Simulation

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

// Custom Distance Vector Routing Application

class DistanceVectorApp : public Application {

public:

DistanceVectorApp();

virtual ~DistanceVectorApp();

void Setup(Ptr<Node> node);

private:

virtual void StartApplication();

virtual void StopApplication();

void SendRoutingTable();

void ReceivePacket(Ptr<Socket> socket);

Ptr<Node>    m_node;

Ptr<Socket>  m_socket;

Ipv4Address  m_address;

std::map<Ipv4Address, uint32_t> m_routingTable; // Destination -> Cost

};

DistanceVectorApp::DistanceVectorApp() : m_socket(0) {}

DistanceVectorApp::~DistanceVectorApp() {

m_socket = 0;

}

void DistanceVectorApp::Setup(Ptr<Node> node) {

m_node = node;

}

void DistanceVectorApp::StartApplication() {

m_socket = Socket::CreateSocket(m_node, UdpSocketFactory::GetTypeId());

m_socket->Bind(InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address::GetAny(), 9999));

m_socket->SetRecvCallback(MakeCallback(&DistanceVectorApp::ReceivePacket, this));

Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(1.0), &DistanceVectorApp::SendRoutingTable, this);

}

void DistanceVectorApp::StopApplication() {

if (m_socket) {

m_socket->Close();

m_socket = 0;

}

}

void DistanceVectorApp::SendRoutingTable() {

Ptr<Packet> packet = Create<Packet>();

// Add routing table to packet

for (auto &entry : m_routingTable) {

// Serialize routing table entries into the packet

}

m_socket->SendTo(packet, 0, InetSocketAddress(Ipv4Address(“255.255.255.255”), 9999));

Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(10.0), &DistanceVectorApp::SendRoutingTable, this);

}

void DistanceVectorApp::ReceivePacket(Ptr<Socket> socket) {

Ptr<Packet> packet;

Address from;

while ((packet = socket->RecvFrom(from))) {

// Deserialize routing table from packet and update local table

}

}

4.2 Use AODV for Distance Vector Principles

Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector Routing (AODV) is contained within NS3 and it executes distance vector principles. To replicate it:

Step 1: Enable AODV Routing

#include “ns3/aodv-module.h”

AodvHelper aodv;

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.SetRoutingHelper(aodv);

stack.Install(nodes);

Step 2: Configure Simulation

  • Allocate an IP addresses to utilize Ipv4AddressHelper.
  • Make use of applications such as PacketSinkHelper and OnOffHelper to make traffic.
  1. Test and Debug
  • Enable Logging:

export NS_LOG=DistanceVectorApp=level_all:AodvRouting=level_all

./waf –run scratch/distance-vector

  • Inspect Routing Tables:
    • We need to print the routing tables confirming accuracy:

Ptr<Ipv4> ipv4 = nodes.Get(0)->GetObject<Ipv4>();

ipv4->GetRoutingProtocol()->Print(std::cout);

  • Use PCAP for Packet Analysis:

pointToPoint.EnablePcapAll(“distance-vector”);

  1. Evaluate Performance
  • Metrics to Measure:
    • Convergence Time: We can measure the duration for all nodes containing consistent routing tables.
    • Overhead: Volume of control messages that are swapped.
    • Throughput: Calculate rate of transferred data.
    • Packet Loss: We need to estimate the rate of packets, which are dropped.
  • Use FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowMonitor;

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

monitor->SerializeToXmlFile(“distance-vector-performance.xml”, true, true);

  1. Advanced Features
  • Dynamic Topologies:
    • Experiment the routing behavior within dynamic environments to utilize mobility models.
  • Fault Injection:
    • Mimic link failures, monitoring the recovery mechanisms.
  • Scalability Testing:
    • Maximize the volume of nodes and links estimating the protocol scalability.
  1. Document and Visualize
  • Document Implementation:
    • It contains goals, protocol design, simulation parameters, and outcomes.
  • Visualize Results:
    • Envision the network and visualize packet flows using NetAnim tool.
    • We want to plot the parameters to utilize tools such as Matplotlib or Gnuplot.

In conclusion, we had offered a simple guide that contains definition, key features, objectives, estimation these are supports to start and simulate the Distance Vector Routing projects using NS3 environment. This project helps to determine the best path to a destination. If needed, we will offer further information and innovative approach on this topic.

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