How to Start RPL Protocol Projects Using NS2

To start a Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) project in NS2 (Network Simulator 2) has contains numerous steps to replicate the low-power, constrained networks are frequently utilised for IoT or wireless sensor networks. RPL isn’t directly executed within NS2, but we can be prolonged their functionality or applied pre-built extensions. Below is a stepwise procedure to get started:

Steps to Start RRL Protocol Projects in NS2

  1. Understand RPL and Its Applicability
  • RPL Protocol: These protocols intended for IPv6-based networks since RPL is a distance-vector routing protocol, which classifies nodes to a Destination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph (DODAG).
  • NS2 Features: NS2 environment need to replicate the routing protocols within wireless sensor networks. To prolong the NS2 for RPL that can describe the RPL-specific approaches such as DODAG creation, Objective Functions, and control message handling.
  1. Set Up Your Environment
  • Install NS2:

sudo apt-get install ns2

  • Make sure that required tools are set up such as NAM (Network Animator) and XGraph for simulation visualization and analysis.
  • We can download and install an RPL extension for NS2 as available or we need to execute the RPL as of scratch.
  1. Define the Project Scope
  • Set Goals:
    • Replicate the behaviour of RPL within low-power networks.
    • Measure the performance parameters of RPL such as energy consumption, latency, and packet delivery ratio.
    • Experiment the RPL in diverse network scenarios like node failures, mobility.
  • Examples:
    • Make and sustain a DODAG.
    • Mimic Objective Functions such as OF0, MRHOF.
    • Measure the effect of control messages like DIO, DAO, and DIS.
  1. Design the Network Topology
  • Plan Topology:
    • Signify the low-power devices or sensors to utilise nodes.
    • Wirelessly link nodes including described bandwidth and delay metrics.
    • Identify a root node (sink) which is a DODAG root.
  • Example Topology:
    • We can deliberate a tree topology that has a sink node at the root and sensor nodes to build child-parent relationships.
  1. Implement or Configure RPL
  • Option 1: Use Existing RPL Modules
    • If an RPL extension is available for NS2 then we combine it to NS2.
    • Set the RPL metrics with Objective Functions, control message intervals, and DODAG root.
  • Option 2: Implement RPL Logic
    • We can prolong NS2 by way of inscribing custom C++ modules for RPL behavior.
    • Execute the DODAG formation, Objective Functions, and control messages for RRL logic.

Example TCL Script for Basic RPL Simulation:

# Initialize the simulator

set ns [new Simulator]

# Open trace and NAM files

set tracefile [open rpl_trace.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

set namfile [open rpl_simulation.nam w]

$ns namtrace-all $namfile

# Define the nodes

set sink [$ns node]

set node1 [$ns node]

set node2 [$ns node]

set node3 [$ns node]

set node4 [$ns node]

# Connect nodes wirelessly

$ns duplex-link $sink $node1 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $node1 $node2 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $node1 $node3 1Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $node2 $node4 1Mb 10ms DropTail

# Configure RPL

$sink set-routing-protocol “RPL”

$node1 set-routing-protocol “RPL”

$node2 set-routing-protocol “RPL”

$node3 set-routing-protocol “RPL”

$node4 set-routing-protocol “RPL”

# Simulate application traffic

set udp [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $node4 $udp

set sink_agent [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $sink $sink_agent

$ns connect $udp $sink_agent

# Traffic generation

set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr set packetSize_ 512

$cbr set interval_ 0.1

$cbr attach-agent $udp

$ns at 1.0 “$cbr start”

$ns at 5.0 “$cbr stop”

# Terminate simulation

$ns at 10.0 “finish”

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile namfile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

close $namfile

exec nam rpl_simulation.nam &

exit 0

}

$ns run

  1. Simulate Network Dynamics
  • Node Failures: Replicate the node failures for examining the resilience of RPL.

$ns rtmodel-at 3.0 down $node2 $node4

  • Mobility: Integrate mobility patterns for nodes and also monitor the flexibility of RPL.
  1. Run the Simulation
  • We will need to execute the TCL simulation script applying NS2:

ns rpl_simulation.tcl

  • Make use of NAM to envision the network:

nam rpl_simulation.nam

  1. Analyze the Results
  • Extort performance parameters from the trace file as rpl_trace.tr:
    • Energy Consumption: Compute how much energy RPL utilises.
    • Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR): Measure the rate of packets that are effectively distributed to the sink node.
    • Routing Overhead: Estimate the volume of control messages which are swapped.
  • Make use of tools like AWK or Python for automated analysis.

Example AWK Script for Packet Delivery Ratio:

BEGIN {sent=0; received=0;}

{

if ($1 == “s” && $4 == “UDP”) {

sent++;

} else if ($1 == “r” && $4 == “UDP”) {

received++;

}

}

END {

print “Packet Delivery Ratio:”, received/sent;

}

  1. Enhance RPL Functionality
  • Security Enhancements:
    • Execute the encryption to prevent the spoofing for control messages in security.
  • Optimization:
    • Fine-tune Objective Functions for reducing power utilization or enhance the throughput.
  • Scalability:
    • In larger networks, experiment the RPL including hundreds of nodes for scalability.
  1. Document Your Work
  • It offers in-depth details of this project that contains:
    • Project goals and scope.
    • Network topology and sets up.
    • Simulation outcomes using graphs and tables.
    • Explanations and references.

Suggested Enhancements

  • Compare RPL with Other Protocols: We need to estimate the RPL protocol versus other routing protocols such as AODV, DSR, or OLSR.
  • Introduce Realistic Conditions: Mimic realistic environmental factors such as link quality changes or interference.
  • Add QoS Features: Prolong the RPL with Quality of Service (QoS) parameters.

We have given detailed and structured procedure with NS2-specific content for replicating and examining the RPL Protocol Projects using NS2 simulation environment. For any additional insights, feel free to reach out.