How to start Line Topology Projects Using OMNeT++

To create a Line Topology project in OMNeT++ has includes the configuration for the network in which nodes are organized in a linear design; every node is directly connected to the neighboring nodes. This kind of topology is used for the replicating of environment like as point-to-point communications, linear sensor networks, and different kinds of wired or wireless communication systems in which the devices are connected in a chain.

Here’s how you can start a Line Topology project in OMNeT++:

Steps to start Line Topology Projects Using OMNeT++

Step 1: Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework

Assure which together OMNeT++ and the INET Framework is installed on your system. The INET Framework offers for the essential modules and protocols we replicate the network communication.

  1. Install OMNeT++:
    • Download OMNeT++ from the official website and follow the installation procedure.
  2. Install INET Framework:

Step 2: Create a New OMNeT++ Project

  1. Open OMNeT++ IDE.
  2. Create a New OMNeT++ Project:
    • Start the File → New → OMNeT++ Project.
    • Select a name for your project for sample LineTopology and choose the project location.

Step 3: Define the Line Topology

In a Line Topology, nodes are connected in a direct line in which every node is connected to another node in the sequence. The first and last nodes are having a one neighbor, though all other nodes have two neighbours such as one on each side.

Example: Line Topology with 5 Nodes

  1. Create a .ned file (e.g., LineTopology.ned) to define the network:

network LineTopology

{

parameters:

int numNodes = 5;  // Number of nodes in the network

 

submodules:

nodes[par(numNodes): Node];  // Array of nodes

connections:

// Connecting the nodes in a line fashion

// Node 0 to Node 1

nodes[0].ethg++ <–> EtherInterface <–> nodes[1].ethg++

// Node 1 to Node 2

nodes[1].ethg++ <–> EtherInterface <–> nodes[2].ethg++;

// Node 2 to Node 3

nodes[2].ethg++ <–> EtherInterface <–> nodes[3].ethg++

// Node 3 to Node 4

nodes[3].ethg++ <–> EtherInterface <–> nodes[4].ethg++;

}

Explanation:

  • numNodes: Detailed the total number of nodes in the line topology for sample 5 nodes.
  • Nodes: An array illustrates the nodes in a network.
  • Connections: State the connections among the nodes. In case, every node has connected to another one in the array, forming a linear chain.
    • For sample, nodes 0 and 1 are connected; nodes 1 and 2 are connected, and so on.

This connection architecture will build a simple line topology.

Step 4: Define the Node Module

Every node can be described the simple Ethernet host we replicate the basic network communication. The EtherHost module from the INET framework can be used to classify the every node.

  1. Create a .ned file (e.g., Node.ned) for the node module:

module Node

{

parameters:

@display(“i=block/server”);  // Display properties for visualization

submodules:

ethg: EtherHost;  // Ethernet host (communication interface)

connections:

ethg++ <–> EtherInterface <–> ethg++;  // Ethernet interface connection

}

Explanation:

  • EtherHost: Characterizes the network node through an Ethernet interface for communication.
  • EtherInterface: It offers the communication interface we join the node to a network.

This node component is used to replicate the general communication for every node in the line topology.

Step 5: Configure Simulation Parameters

After the network and nodes are described, setting the replication parameters in the omnetpp.ini file. This file requires on how the replication will process on how the nodes will behave.

  1. Create or edit the omnetpp.ini file:

[General]

network = LineTopology   # Name of the network model

# Simulation settings

sim-time-limit = 100s        # Total simulation time

*.numNodes = 5              # Total number of nodes in the network

# Packet generation configuration for each node

*.nodes[*].app.packetRate = 100pkts/s   # Example packet rate for each node

Explanation:

  • Network: Require the network for design to use such as defined in the .ned file.
  • sim-time-limit: State the number of replication time in a sim-time-limit.
  • numNodes: Describe the amount of nodes in a line topology.
  • Packet Rate: Stipulates the packet creation percentage for every node. We can modify this according to the kinds of congestion we need to replicate the packet rate.

Step 6: Build and Run the Simulation

  1. Build the Project:
    • Right-click on the project in the OMNeT++ IDE and choose the Build Project we compile the .ned files and next necessary module.
  2. Run the Simulation:
    • Next create the project, Press the Run button then we start the replication.
  3. Visualize the Simulation:
    • The OMNeT++ delivers a graphical user interface (GUI) we view the network. We will be able to show the nodes ordered in a line and follow on how the packets are forwarding among them.

Step 7: Enhance the Line Topology

After the general replication for processing, we can improve through more additional features or altering the network.

  1. Traffic Patterns:
  • Enhance the various congestion designs like as TCP or UDP congestion among the nodes. For sample, you can simulate communication between Node 1 and Node 4 or create random packet exchanges among all nodes.
  1. Routing Protocols:
  • While the line topology does not need to the complex routing, we can still apply the routing protocols such as RIP or OSPF if we need to research by routing in simple network architecture.
  1. Node Failures:
  • Establish the node failures or link failures we validate the robustness of the network in case of transmission breakdowns.
  1. Quality of Service (QoS):
  • Enhance the Quality of Service (QoS) features we replicate and estimate the packet loss, latency, and throughput with the nodes.
  1. Security Attacks:
  • We can also replicate the essential security attacks like as Denial of Service (DoS) or packet sniffing to analysis the network’s behavior below the attack.

Step 8: Analyze the Results

Next process the replication, use OMNeT++’s built-in analysis tools we calculate the key performance indicators (KPIs):

  • Throughput: The throughput contains the total number of data successfully transmitted with the network.
  • Latency: The time taken for packets we travel from the source node to the destination.
  • Packet Loss: The amount of packets reduces during the transmission.
  • Packet Delay: The delay in packet delivery from one node to another node.

We can also use tools like Wireshark for deep packet checked and examine.

Conclusion

To create a Line Topology in OMNeT++:

  1. Define the network topology in a .ned file using consecutive connections among the nodes in a network topology.
  2. Create node modules using EtherHost we replicate the genaral communication interfaces.
  3. Configure the simulation parameters in omnetpp.ini for packet generation rates and replication time.
  4. Build and run the simulation to view the line topology in OMNeT++ for create the process.
  5. Enhance the topology by adding traffic patterns, routing protocols, QoS, and security simulations.
  6. Analyze the simulation results we assign the performance parameter metrics such as throughput, latency, and packet loss.

This approach allows you to simulate and experiment with Line Topology for various network scenarios in OMNeT++.

In this simulation setup, we have been clearly understood the concepts and learn the essential procedures to simulate the Line Topology project that has contain the installation procedures and generating the network topology and then visualized the outcomes through OMnet++ analysis too. Further details will be provided later.