How to Start IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging Projects Using NS3

To start the IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging using NS3 that allow the network’s segmentation into several logical sub-networks such as Virtual LANs, or VLANs on a distributed physical infrastructure to permit better traffic management, security, and separation. Although NS3 lack built-in for 802.1Q VLAN tagging then we can be replicated the VLAN behavior by means of executing logical separation and setting up custom routing tables. Following is a step-by-step process to configuring a VLAN simulation project using NS3.

Steps to Start IEEE 802.1Q VLAN tagging Projects in NS3

Step 1: Set Up NS3 Environment

  1. Download and Install NS3:
    • Use official NS3 website to download NS3 and install it including any essential dependencies.
    • Make sure that NS3 is properly executing by experimenting with model programs such as csma-broadcast.cc.
  2. Confirm CSMA and Point-to-Point Modules:
    • For making Ethernet-like networks and to link nodes within VLANs, CSMA and point-to-point modules will be necessary.

Step 2: Understand Key Components of IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging

  1. VLANs:
    • VLANs permit logical segmentation of networks at distributed physical infrastructure. Every single VLAN is alike a separate network in the similar physical switch.
    • VLANs are detected by VLAN IDs that are implanted to utilize 802.1Q tagging within the Ethernet frames.
  2. VLAN-Aware Switches:
    • VLAN-aware switches can be separated traffic in a VLAN by analysing the VLAN IDs. We can replicate it by utilizing routing rules or to make virtual networks in NS3 for each VLAN.
  3. Tagged vs. Untagged Frames:
    • VLAN-tagged frames contain a 4-byte VLAN ID header that NS3 lacks directly support. But, logical separation of VLANs can be replicated along with single IP subnets and routing sets up.

Step 3: Define Project Objectives and Metrics

  1. Set Key Project Goals:
    • For VLAN project, general goals contain:
      • Traffic Isolation: Make sure that traffic as of one VLAN does not attain another VLAN.
      • Inter-VLAN Routing: Configure routing permitting interaction among the VLANs as needed.
      • Network Segmentation: It make diverse subnets, replicating separate VLANs.
  2. Choose Relevant Metrics:
    • We can select related parameters like throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and traffic isolation effectiveness.

Step 4: Set Up VLAN Segments and Nodes

  1. Define Nodes for Each VLAN:
    • Signify devices in each VLAN such as computers, servers, printers utilising NS3 nodes.
    • Allocate each VLAN their collection of nodes, mimicking traffic segregation.
  2. Create VLAN Segments with CSMA Links:
    • In NS3, make several CSMA channels, each channel denoting a diverse VLAN segment using the CsmaHelper.
    • Set each CSMA channel along with single metrics to signify the characteristics of VLAN like data rate, delay.
  3. Assign IP Subnets to Each VLAN:
    • For each VLAN, describe a separate IP subnet. This logical separation replicates the behaviour of VLAN by separating the IP traffic at various subnets.
    • Allocate an IP addresses in diverse subnets to each VLAN segment utilising Ipv4AddressHelper.

Step 5: Set Up VLAN Trunk Links

  1. Create Trunk Links for VLAN Communication:
    • Trunk links take traffic for numerous VLANs in a real network. Replicate a trunk by making a point-to-point link among the VLAN segments in NS3.
    • Designate IP addresses to the trunk link interfaces then set routing rules to manage which VLANs can be interacted across the trunk.
  2. Use VLAN Gateways:
    • Configure a gateway node to manage the interaction among VLANs, to replicate a Layer 3 switch or router.
    • This gateway will be handled inter-VLAN routing, to permit only authorized traffic among the VLANs.

Step 6: Configure VLAN-Aware Routing and Isolation

  1. Define Static Routes for Each VLAN:
    • Make static routes utilising NS3’s routing table capabilities for each VLAN, to make sure that traffic is included in their VLAN.
    • Describe certain routes via the VLAN gateway to manage which VLANs can interact with each other for inter-VLAN interaction.
  2. Simulate Access Control Lists (ACLs) (Optional):
    • Execute simple access control by setting up which IP addresses or VLAN subnets can be interacted. For instance, obstruct specific IP ranges at the gateway, replicating VLAN access control.

Step 7: Configure Network Applications and Traffic Patterns

  1. Simulate Different Traffic Types:
    • Mimic normal VLAN traffic using NS3 applications:
      • File Transfer (FTP): For large data transfers in or among the VLANs.
      • HTTP or Web Browsing: For intermittent data traffic that is general within enterprise networks.
      • VoIP or Video Streaming: For continuous and low-latency traffic.
  2. Set Up Traffic Patterns for VLAN Testing:
    • According to the project goals, we describe the traffic flows:
      • Intra-VLAN Traffic: Interaction in a VLAN to experiment the separation.
      • Inter-VLAN Traffic: For controlled access, communication among VLANs through the gateway.
      • Broadcast and Multicast Traffic: Replicate the broadcast or multicast traffic in a VLAN and also monitor if it is separated from other VLANs.
  3. Configure Traffic Load and Data Rates:
    • Fine-tune data rates, packet sizes, and intervals, replicating diverse load conditions in VLANs like low-traffic and high-traffic situations.

Step 8: Run Simulation Scenarios

  1. Define Testing Scenarios:
    • Normal Traffic Within VLANs: Experiment each VLAN separately in low and moderate traffic conditions to estimate the baseline performance.
    • High Inter-VLAN Traffic via Gateway: We experiment interaction among the VLANs via the gateway. Calculate the latency and throughput.
    • Broadcast and Multicast Traffic: Monitor how broadcast and multicast traffic performs within a VLAN. Make sure it doesn’t reveal to other VLANs.
  2. Adjust VLAN Sizes and Traffic Patterns:
    • Experiment diverse volumes of nodes in each VLAN, estimating how network size affects the performance and separation.

Step 9: Collect and Analyze Performance Metrics

  1. Gather Simulation Data:
    • Accumulate simulation information on crucial parameters like throughput, latency, packet delivery ratio, and traffic isolation using NS3’s tracing and logging tools.
    • Seize packet flows to confirm that VLAN separation is efficient and which inter-VLAN traffic adheres to the indicated routes.
  2. Evaluate Network Performance:
    • Examine the gathered information to discover the efficiency of VLAN tagging, traffic isolation, and routing.
    • For enhancement like improving routers or modifying isolation settings to detect any zones.

Step 10: Optimize and Experiment with Advanced VLAN Features

  1. Optimize Inter-VLAN Routing:
    • Test with various routing methods to enhance latency and reduce unnecessary traffic for inter-VLAN interaction.
    • Give precedence to specific kinds of traffic using traffic control settings within inter-VLAN communication.
  2. Advanced VLAN Features (Optional):
    • Dynamic VLAN Membership: Replicate efficient VLAN assignment if possible, by reallocating nodes to diverse CSMA channels in the course of simulation.
    • VLAN Tagging Emulation: In NS3, make custom headers simulating VLAN tags within Ethernet frames. While NS3 doesn’t directly support 802.1Q tagging then it can estimate the behavior for analysis purposes.
    • Load Balancing Across Trunk Links: Execute the load balancing to equally share inter-VLAN traffic for several trunk links.
  3. Simulate Network Faults and Recovery:
    • In VLAN trunk links or gateways, launch link failures to experiment how VLAN configuration is resilient. Then assess how rapidly and successfully the network retrieves from faults.

We have provided an ordered outline to execute and simulate the IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging projects using NS3 tool. We can delve into further detail upon your request in another manual.

We are dedicated to providing exceptional services that ensure complete customer satisfaction through the implementation of logical separation and the establishment of custom routing tables. At phdprojects.org, we provide a straightforward approach to configuring your IEEE 802.1Q VLAN Tagging Projects using the NS3 tool. Stay connected with us for the best project details and topics.