How to Start Multiprotocol Label Switching Projects Using NS3

To start a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) project in NS3 that needs to replicate or execute the MPLS functionalities like label switching, label distribution protocols, and traffic engineering. For efficient routing within IP networks, MPLS is utilized to integrate the advantages of circuit and packet switching.

Below is a sequential guide to start an MPLS project in NS3:

Steps to Start MPLS Projects in NS3

1. Understand MPLS Concepts

• What is MPLS?
  • MPLS is a routing method, which manages data from one node to the next to utilize labels instead of complex IP sets up.
  • Key Components:
    • Label Edge Router (LER): It inserts or eliminates the labels.
    • Label Switching Router (LSR): According to the labels to change the packets.
    • Label Distribution Protocol (LDP): It delivers the labels between routers.
• Common Applications of MPLS:
  • Traffic engineering.
  • Virtual private networks (VPNs).
  • Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees.

2. Set Up NS3

• Install NS3:
  • Go to nsnam.org to download and install NS3.
• Verify Installation:

./waf –run scratch/test-example

• Required Modules:
  • internet: It supports for IP and routing stack.
  • point-to-point: For wired networks.
  • traffic-control: For QoS and traffic engineering.
  • Custom MPLS Module: If doesn’t built-in MPLS module exist then we want to make one or more NS3.

3. Plan Your MPLS Project

• Define Objectives:
  • We execute the label switching and LDP.
  • To replicate MPLS traffic engineering.
  • Then, equate the performance of MPLS including traditional IP routing.
• Simulation Topology:
  • Simulate the LERs and LSRs to utilize a topology including edge and core routers.
• Metrics to Measure:
  • We estimate the performance metrics like packet delivery ratio, latency, throughput, and label-switching overhead.

4. Write a Basic Network Simulation

• Example: MPLS-Like Behavior Using Static Routes
  • To replicate label switching including preconfigured routes.

#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;

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

CommandLine cmd;

cmd.Parse(argc, argv);

// Create nodes

NodeContainer nodes;

nodes.Create(4); // LER1 -> LSR1 -> LSR2 -> LER2

// Create point-to-point links

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“10Mbps”));

p2p.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“2ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices1 = p2p.Install(nodes.Get(0), nodes.Get(1)); // LER1 -> LSR1

NetDeviceContainer devices2 = p2p.Install(nodes.Get(1), nodes.Get(2)); // LSR1 -> LSR2

NetDeviceContainer devices3 = p2p.Install(nodes.Get(2), nodes.Get(3)); // LSR2 -> LER2

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces1 = ipv4.Assign(devices1);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.2.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces2 = ipv4.Assign(devices2);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.3.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces3 = ipv4.Assign(devices3);

// Configure static routing to simulate MPLS

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRoutingLER1 = Ipv4RoutingHelper::GetRouting<Ipv4StaticRouting>(nodes.Get(0)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRoutingLER1->AddHostRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.1”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.1.2”), 1); // LER1 -> LSR1

Ptr<Ipv4StaicRouting> staticRoutingLSR1 = Ipv4RoutingHelper::GetRouting<Ipv4StaticRouting>(nodes.Get(1)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRoutingLSR1->AddHostRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.1”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.2.2”), 2); // LSR1 -> LSR2

Ptr<Ipv4StaticRouting> staticRoutingLSR2 = Ipv4RoutingHelper::GetRouting<Ipv4StaticRouting>(nodes.Get(2)->GetObject<Ipv4>());

staticRoutingLSR2->AddHostRouteTo(Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.1”), Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.2”), 3); // LSR2 -> LER2

// Create a UDP Echo Server on LER2

UdpEchoServerHelper echoServer(9);

ApplicationContainer serverApp = echoServer.Install(nodes.Get(3));

serverApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

serverApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Create a UDP Echo Client on LER1

UdpEchoClientHelper echoClient(Ipv4Address(“10.1.3.1”), 9);

echoClient.SetAttribute(“MaxPackets”, UintegerValue(5));

echoClient.SetAttribute(“Interval”, TimeValue(Seconds(1.0)));

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

ApplicationContainer clientApp = echoClient.Install(nodes.Get(0));

clientApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

clientApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Enable PCAP tracing

p2p.EnablePcapAll(“mpls-basic”);

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

5. Implement MPLS Functionality

• Core MPLS Features to Implement:
  1. Label Forwarding Table (LFT):
     • Sustain a table for label switching on LSRs.
  2. Label Edge Routers (LERs):
     • Insert and eliminate the MPLS labels on the network edge.
  3. Label Distribution Protocol (LDP):
     • Deliver labels among the routers for path configuration.
  4. Traffic Engineering:
     • Enhance the paths for certain QoS needs.
• Extend NS3 Classes:

• • We can make a custom routing protocol by prolonging the Ipv4RoutingProtocol.
  • Execute MPLS-specific packet headers.

6. Test and Debug

• Enable Logging:

export NS_LOG=Ipv4StaticRouting=level_all

./waf –run scratch/mpls-basic

• Analyze Packet Flow:
  • Analyse MPLS-like routing behavior within Wireshark to utilize PCAP files.
• Validate LSR Behavior:
  • Inspect forwarding tables in LSR at each node.

7. Evaluate Performance

• Metrics to Evaluate:
  • Latency: We compute the end-to-end delay.
  • Throughput: Measure bandwidth utilization.
  • Routing Overhead: Examine control packet size and frequency.
• Use FlowMonitor:

FlowMonitorHelper flowMonitor;

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

8. Advanced Features

• QoS Integration:
  • Replicate the traffic engineering to utilize TrafficControlHelper module.
• Dynamic Label Allocation:
  • We execute LDP for automatic label distribution.
• Comparison with IP Routing:
  • Mimic scenarios, equating MPLS including traditional IP routing.

In the manual, we demonstrated the comprehensive procedures to start and replicate the Multiprotocol Label Switching Projects in the simulation tool NS3. Additional specific details regarding this subject will be provided later.

We focus on MPLS capabilities such as label switching, label distribution protocols, and traffic engineering, allowing us to deliver the most pertinent insights tailored to your research needs. For your Multiprotocol Label Switching Projects utilizing the NS3 tool, trust the expertise of the team at phdprojects.org to guide you through every step. Take advantage of our personalized support to achieve the best project results and ensure timely delivery.