How to Start Network Protocol Testing Projects Using NS3

To start a Network Protocol Testing project in NS3, it has several steps to replicate, examine, and confirming the functionality, performance, and networking protocols scalability. NS3 environment offers a flexible environment to experiment the protocols on diverse layers of the OSI model that contains routing, transport, and application protocols.

Following is a complete instruction to start the Network Protocol Testing Projects in NS3:

Steps to Start Network Protocol Testing Projects in NS3

  1. Understand Protocol Testing in NS3
  • Why Test Network Protocols?
    • Make sure that accuracy and reliability of protocols in different network conditions.
    • We measure the performance parameters such as latency, throughput, jitter, and packet loss.
    • Experiment the behavior of protocol in dynamic topologies and failure situations.
  • What Protocols Can You Test?
    • Routing Protocols: OSPF, RIP, AODV, and DSR.
    • Transport Protocols: TCP, UDP, SCTP.
    • Application Protocols: HTTP, FTP, VoIP, and custom protocols.
  1. Set Up NS3
  • Install NS3:
    • Go to nsnam.org to download and install NS3.
    • We adhere to the installation instruction.
  • Verify Installation:

./waf –run scratch/test-example

  • Required Modules:
    • internet: It supports for IP and transport layer protocols.
    • applications: For replicating the applications such as FTP, HTTP, or custom traffic generators.
    • point-to-point, wifi, or csma: For making network topologies.
  1. Plan Your Protocol Testing
  • Define Objectives:
    • We describe to experiment the protocol’s features like scalability, performance in failure, compliance with standards.
    • Example: Experiment the TCP congestion control or OSPF behavior within a dynamic topology.
  • Topology:
    • Model a network topology, which matches the protocol to be examined.
    • Example: For routing we can utilize linear topology, star topology for application protocols.
  • Metrics to Evaluate:
    • Throughput: Estimate the data transfer rates.
    • Latency: We need to measure end-to-end delay.
    • Jitter: Examine variations within delay.
    • Packet Loss: Detect dropped packets.
  1. Set Up a Basic Protocol Simulation

Here’s an instance of analysing the behaviour of TCP within a simple network topology.

4.1 Network Topology for TCP Testing

#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(2); // Node 0 (Sender) → Node 1 (Receiver)

// Create point-to-point link

PointToPointHelper p2p;

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

p2p.SetChannelAttribute(“Delay”, StringValue(“5ms”));

NetDeviceContainer devices = p2p.Install(nodes);

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(nodes);

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer interfaces = ipv4.Assign(devices);

// Set up TCP application

uint16_t port = 8080;

Address sinkAddress(InetSocketAddress(interfaces.GetAddress(1), port));

PacketSinkHelper sinkHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, sinkAddress);

ApplicationContainer sinkApp = sinkHelper.Install(nodes.Get(1));

sinkApp.Start(Seconds(1.0));

sinkApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

OnOffHelper sourceHelper(“ns3::TcpSocketFactory”, sinkAddress);

sourceHelper.SetAttribute(“OnTime”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=1]”));

sourceHelper.SetAttribute(“OffTime”, StringValue(“ns3::ConstantRandomVariable[Constant=0]”));

sourceHelper.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“5Mbps”));

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

ApplicationContainer sourceApp = sourceHelper.Install(nodes.Get(0));

sourceApp.Start(Seconds(2.0));

sourceApp.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Enable PCAP tracing

p2p.EnablePcapAll(“tcp-testing”);

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

4.2 Test Other Protocols

  • Routing Protocols:
    • Replicate the routing behavior to utilize built-in dynamic routing protocols of NS3 such as OSPF or AODV.
    • Example:

AodvHelper aodv;

Ipv4ListRoutingHelper list;

list.Add(aodv, 10);

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.SetRoutingHelper(list);

stack.Install(nodes);

  • UDP Testing:
    • Substitute TcpSocketFactory with UdpSocketFactory within the above example to experiment the performance of UDP.
  • Custom Protocols:
    • We can prolong the Application class, executing the own protocol logic.
  1. Test and Debug
  • Enable Logging:
    • Debug and observe the behaviour of simulation to utilize NS3 logging.

export NS_LOG=TcpSocketFactory=level_all

./waf –run scratch/tcp-testing

  • Inspect Packet Flows:
    • Examine network traffic to utilize PCAP tracing.

p2p.EnablePcapAll(“protocol-testing”);

  1. Evaluate Protocol Performance
  • Use FlowMonitor:
    • We can accumulate and examine the performance parameters such as throughput, delay, and packet loss.

FlowMonitorHelper flowMonitor;

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

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

  • Key Metrics to Measure:
    • Throughput: We measure the total data sent over time.
    • Latency: For packets, estimate the end-to-end delay.
    • Packet Loss: We need to calculate the rate of lost packets.
    • Jitter: Then, compute variability within delay.
  1. Advanced Protocol Testing
  • Dynamic Topologies:
    • Experiment the protocols within dynamic environments to utilize mobility models.

MobilityHelper mobility;

mobility.SetMobilityModel(“ns3::ConstantPositionMobilityModel”);

mobility.Install(nodes);

  • Fault Injection:
    • We can replicate the network failures or link degradation.

Ptr<NetDevice> device = devices.Get(1);

device->SetAttribute(“ReceiveErrorModel”, PointerValue(em));

  • QoS Testing:
    • Experiment how protocols manage the priority traffic with the help of TrafficControlHelper.
  • Scalability:
    • Maximize the volume of nodes and links, analysing the scalability of the protocol.
  1. Document and Visualize Results
  • Document Implementation:
    • It contains goals, techniques, and outcomes for protocol analysis.
  • Visualize Results:
    • Now, we envision packet flows to utilize NetAnim tool.
    • For graphing parameters, use tools such as Matplotlib or Gnuplot.

In the conclusion, Network Protocol Testing had successfully started and simulated through above offered methodology by using NS3 tool and also we are furnished to deliver additional data and extend it further if required.

To advance your Network Protocol Testing Projects utilizing the NS3 tool, depend on the proficiency of the team at phdprojects.org to support you throughout each stage. Take advantage of our tailored assistance, which guarantees the best possible project results and punctual completion. Our developers are available to enhance your project performance and networking protocols, so please contact us for further guidance.