How to Start IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging Projects Using NS2

To create a IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN Tagging) projects using Network Simulator 2 (NS2), it necessary to concentrate the replicate of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs) and 802.1Q tagging functionality. The 802.1Q standard is used to build VLANs through mentions Ethernet frames through a VLAN identifier (VID). NS2 delivers the help for replicating the network, contains the VLANs, while it need the setting network modules like switches, routers, and traffic flows to execute the VLAN structure.

In NS2, VLAN tagging is typically executed through set-up the Ethernet frames has involves the VLAN mention (802.1Q) and assuring the network devices for sample like switches or routers are setting the process for the mention.

Step-by-Step Guide to Start IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging Projects in NS2

Step 1: Install NS2

Assure which NS2 is installed the machine. It not previously installed, we can do through following the installation procedures possible on the official NS2 website or through using package handle for Linux.

Next installation, validate with typing ns in the terminal to start the NS2 shell.

Step 2: Understand IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging

The IEEE 802.1Q standard denotes to increase the Ethernet frames to classify the VLAN membership. The inserted denote among the Ethernet frame’s MAC header and the payload. The tag consists of:

  • Tag Protocol Identifier (TPID): The 16-bit field set to 0x8100 to include the frame of VLAN-tagged.
  • VLAN Identifier (VID): The 12-bit field which detailed the VLAN number such as from 0 to 4095.
  • Priority (optional): The 3-bit field used for quality of service (QoS) classification.

In NS2, we can replicate the VLANs through setting network devices such as like switches to improve and delete VLAN mention as frames traverse the network.

Step 3: Network Setup and Topology Design

We want to design a topology that includes:

  1. VLAN-capable Switches: Replicate the switches which can tag frames through VLAN identifiers.
  2. Hosts/Nodes: Replicate the hosts or devices which the detailed VLANs and transmission by the switches.
  3. Traffic: State the kinds of congestion for sample FTP, CBR, TCP, etc. for the nodes in every VLAN.

Intended for a simple VLAN setting, we can replicate the two VLANs by several hosts connected through VLAN-aware switches.

Step 4: Create a Basic VLAN Simulation in NS2

We replicate the 802.1Q VLAN Tagging in NS2, we can setting the switches to maintain the VLAN tags and increase the nodes to VLANs by denote the Ethernet frames. Below is an sample of a basic script which replicates the two VLANs in a network:

Example NS2 Script for VLAN Tagging:

# Create the simulator

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create nodes (hosts and switches)

set switch1 [$ns node]

set switch2 [$ns node]

set host1 [$ns node]

set host2 [$ns node]

set host3 [$ns node]

set host4 [$ns node]

# Create links between nodes and switches (using Ethernet links)

$ns duplex-link $host1 $switch1 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $host2 $switch1 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $host3 $switch2 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $host4 $switch2 10Mb 10ms DropTail

# Connect switches with Ethernet links (inter-switch link)

$ns duplex-link $switch1 $switch2 10Mb 10ms DropTail

# Set up the VLAN configuration

# VLAN 10 for host1 and host2

# VLAN 20 for host3 and host4

# Create and attach VLAN tag to traffic (via agents and applications)

set tcp1 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $host1 $tcp1

set sink1 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $switch1 $sink1

$ns connect $tcp1 $sink1

set tcp2 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $host2 $tcp2

set sink2 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $switch1 $sink2

$ns connect $tcp2 $sink2

set tcp3 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $host3 $tcp3

set sink3 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $switch2 $sink3

$ns connect $tcp3 $sink3

set tcp4 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $host4 $tcp4

set sink4 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $switch2 $sink4

$ns connect $tcp4 $sink4

# Traffic flow (FTP over TCP)

set ftp1 [new Application/FTP]

$ftp1 attach-agent $tcp1

set ftp2 [new Application/FTP]

$ftp2 attach-agent $tcp2

set ftp3 [new Application/FTP]

$ftp3 attach-agent $tcp3

set ftp4 [new Application/FTP]

$ftp4 attach-agent $tcp4

# Set simulation time

$ns run

Explanation of the Script:

  1. Node Creation:
    • It creates the two switches they are switch1, switch2.
    • Four hosts connected to the switches such as host1, host2, host3, host4.
  2. Links:
    • Ethernet links are built among the hosts and switches.
  3. VLAN Configuration:
    • The VLAN membership is implied through on how traffic is routed and tagged among switches.
    • The host 1 and 2 belong to VLAN 10, though hosts 3 and 4 belong to VLAN 20.
  4. Traffic Flow:
    • TCP agents and FTP applications are linked to the hosts, replicate the congestion among the hosts in every VLAN.
  5. Simulation: The ns run command starts the replication.

Step 5: Running the Simulation

After we have written the replication script, store it for sample vlan_simulation.tcl, and then run it in the terminal:

ns vlan_simulation.tcl

Step 6: Analyzing Results

NS2 generates a trace file (.tr) through explain the information for replicate has including the packet flow, routing, and delays. We can use Xgraph or AWK to examine the outcomes. Here’s an example to visualize results:

xgraph tracefile.tr

Step 7: Experimenting with VLANs in the Simulation

Next the sample configure VLAN replication, we can alter and research through various set-up:

  • Increase VLANs: Generate further VLANs and monitor the inter-VLAN traffic.
  • Configure QoS: Used the setting for 802.1Q’s priority field to replicate the Quality of Service (QoS).
  • Inter-VLAN Routing: Routing among the various routers replicate the inter-VLAN.
  • VLAN Tagging with Trunking: Replicate the trunk links among switches, in which several VLANs distribute the some physical connection, nevertheless are distinguished through their tags.

Step 8: Advanced Configuration

We can also encompass the replication has involves the further advanced setting:

  • Inter-VLAN Routing: Use a router to allow communication among the various VLANs. In NS2, you can configure a router to handle VLAN tags and route between VLANs.
  • Trunking: Configure trunk links between switches to allow multiple VLANs to traverse the same physical link, typically using 802.1Q trunking.
  • Priority and QoS: You can simulate traffic prioritization by using the priority field in the VLAN tag, and implement QoS strategies on switches and routers.

Example of Configuring Inter-VLAN Routing:

To simulate routing between VLANs, you need a router between the switches. Here’s an extension to the previous script:

# Create router

set router [$ns node]

# Create links from switches to the router

$ns duplex-link $switch1 $router 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $switch2 $router 10Mb 10ms DropTail

# Enable routing (assuming routing protocol or static routes are set)

Step 9: Document Your Findings

Prepare a report or document that includes:

  • Network Design: Describe your VLAN architecture (number of VLANs, hosts, switches).
  • Traffic and Simulation Setup: Explain the traffic model (FTP, TCP) and how the VLAN tags are applied.
  • Results: Provide analysis of throughput, delay, and other performance metrics.
  • Conclusion: Summarize your findings and insights from simulating VLANs in NS2.

The above project concept explores numerous contexts of IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN Tagging) projects performance and the detailed installation procedures to simulate the IEEE 802.1Q (VLAN Tagging) project in ns2 tool. If you’d like more details on any specific project, feel free to ask!