How to Start Software Defined Wide Area Network Using OMNeT

To start a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) project in OMNeT++, it requires replicating a WAN environment in which the control plane is centralized and from the data planes, it needs to detach. SD-WAN projects concentrate on efficient routing, dynamic path selection, and traffic optimization over a broad range. We will walk you through the stepwise method to get started:

Steps to Start SD-WAN Projects in OMNeT++

  1. Understand SD-WAN Concepts
  • SD-WAN Overview:
    • In a WAN environment, it utilises the software-defined networking (SDN) principles.
    • According to its policies, centralized control plane dynamically handles the data flow.
  • Key Features:
    • Dynamic path selection such as MPLS, broadband, LTE.
    • Centralized management and monitoring.
    • Improved Quality of Service (QoS) and security.
    • Application-aware routing.
  • Applications:
    • These use cases are enterprise connectivity, cloud access, and IoT networks.
  1. Set Up OMNeT++ Environment
  • Install OMNeT++:
    • We should download the new version of OMNeT++ environment on the system.
  • Install INET Framework:
    • INET framework offers supports for routing, traffic generation, and network protocols.
  • Optional Extensions:
    • Integrate the custom SDN modules or prolong INET framework for SD-WAN-specific functionalities as required.
  1. Define Project Objectives
  • Example project goals like:
    • Examine the metrics such as latency and throughput enhancements to utilize centralized control.
    • Measure dynamic path selection within SD-WAN for application-specific traffic.
    • Focus on QoS and fault tolerance within hybrid SD-WAN environments.
  1. Design the SD-WAN Topology
  • SDN Controller:
    • A SDN central node to handle the routing decisions and path selection.
  • Branch Nodes:
    • It denotes the edge devices or customer premises equipment (CPE) that are associated to the WAN.
  • Data Links:
    • Mimic the data links such as MPLS, broadband, LTE, or hybrid links.
  • Cloud/Data Center:
    • With the support of branch nodes, centralized resources or services that are accessed.
  1. Configure SD-WAN Features
  • Dynamic Path Selection:
    • Depends on the performance parameters such as latency, bandwidth, execute the application-aware routing.
  • Centralized Routing:
    • Control the routing tables and handle the routing policies to utilize the controller.
  • Traffic Optimization:
    • Replicate the compression, deduplication, or prioritization mechanisms for optimization.
  • Failover Mechanisms:
    • Mimic automatic rerouting in the course of link failures to insert redundancy.
  1. Set Up Simulation Parameters
  • Utilize .ini configuration files to setting the simulation parameters:
    • Topology:
      • Create a topology including volume of branch nodes, controllers, and cloud resources.
    • Traffic Patterns:
      • Mimic application traffic such as HTTP, VoIP, video streaming.
    • Link Properties:
      • For WAN links, we describe the link properties such as bandwidth, latency, and error rates.
    • Routing Policies:
      • According to the QoS needs, we set the path selection rules.
  1. Simulate Scenarios
  • Example simulation scenarios:
    • Path Selection:
      • To utilise dynamic path selection, estimate the performance enhancements.
    • QoS Management:
      • We need to replicate the application-aware routing and also estimate delay and jitter.
    • Hybrid Links:
      • Experiment the failover mechanisms among the MPLS and hybrid links.
    • Scalability:
      • Focus on the effect of maximising branch nodes on controller performance.
  • In the OMNeT++ IDE, we execute the simulations and envision the outcomes.
  1. Analyze Results
  • Transfer the outcomes into external OMNeT++ tools such as Python, MATLAB, or Excel for analysis.
  • Key metrics:
    • Latency: Estimate the delay for application traffic over the WAN.
    • Throughput: We can measure the data rates that are attained across various paths.
    • Packet Loss: Examine the reliability of data transmission.
    • Failover Efficiency: In the course of link failures, to compute the recovery time.

A step-by-step guide on Software Defined WAN Projects is effectively demonstrated for simulation and analysis using OMNeT++ environment. Further elaboration will be available in upcoming manual.

We are here to assist you in enhancing your Software Defined Wide Area Network projects with the OMNeT++ tool. You can get advice on your project requires from us.