How to Start Spanning Tree Protocol Projects using NS3

To create the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is utilized in the switched Ethernet networks we prevent their loops through creating a loop-free logical topology. Although NS3 does not natively contains the STP we could replicate the behaviour with custom executions or through replicating situations in which STP-like logic is needed for network optimization.

Steps to Start Spanning Tree Protocol Projects using NS3

  1. Understand Spanning Tree Protocol
  • STP Overview:
    • STP contains there are no loops in a network through redundant paths.
    • It unable the redundant connection to form a spanning tree although retaining the active connections for communication.
  • Applications:
    • Replicate the loop prevention in Ethernet or Layer 2 networks.
    • Examine the convergence network after change the topology.
  1. Set Up NS3
  1. Install NS3:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install g++ python3 git cmake

git clone https://gitlab.com/nsnam/ns-3-dev.git

cd ns-3-dev

./waf configure

./waf build

  1. Verify Installation:

bash

Copy code

./waf –run scratch/my-first

  1. Plan Your STP Simulation
  1. Define Network Topology:
    • It contains the redundant connections to replicate the essential for a spanning tree.
    • For instance: A network contains a multiple switches and redundant paths.
  2. Custom STP Implementation:
    • Execute the STP methods utilized NS3’s packet and application frameworks.
    • Unable the redundant connections and retain the minimum path connections.
  1. Example Network Topology with STP

Code for Redundant Topology:

To Below is an example of generating a redundant topology and replicating the  STP-like logic through disabling redundant connections.

#include “ns3/core-module.h”

#include “ns3/network-module.h”

#include “ns3/point-to-point-module.h”

#include “ns3/internet-module.h”

#include “ns3/applications-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main() {

// Create nodes (Switches and Hosts)

NodeContainer switches, hosts;

switches.Create(3); // 3 switches

hosts.Create(2);    // 2 hosts

// Create point-to-point links

PointToPointHelper pointToPoint;

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

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

// Connect switches in a triangle (redundant links)

NetDeviceContainer link1 = pointToPoint.Install(switches.Get(0), switches.Get(1));

NetDeviceContainer link2 = pointToPoint.Install(switches.Get(1), switches.Get(2));

NetDeviceContainer link3 = pointToPoint.Install(switches.Get(2), switches.Get(0));

// Connect hosts to switches

NetDeviceContainer hostLink1 = pointToPoint.Install(hosts.Get(0), switches.Get(0));

NetDeviceContainer hostLink2 = pointToPoint.Install(hosts.Get(1), switches.Get(2));

// Install Internet stack

InternetStackHelper stack;

stack.Install(switches);

stack.Install(hosts);

 

// Assign IP addresses

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

ipv4.Assign(link1);

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

ipv4.Assign(link2);

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

ipv4.Assign(link3);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.4.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(hostLink1);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.1.5.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

ipv4.Assign(hostLink2);

// Example STP Logic: Disable one redundant link

Simulator::Schedule(Seconds(1.0), &NetDevice::SetDown, link3.Get(0));

// Create applications (e.g., Ping)

V4PingHelper pingHelper(“10.1.5.1”);

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

pingHelper.SetAttribute(“Size”, UintegerValue(56));

ApplicationContainer pingApps = pingHelper.Install(hosts.Get(0));

pingApps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

pingApps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Run simulation

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

  1. Custom Implementation of STP

To implement the STP logic:

  1. Broadcast Configuration BPDU Packets:
    • We utilized the NS3’s UDP Socket or Application to transmit the BPDU-like packets.
  2. Elect the Root Bridge:
    • Every switch to choose a root bridge according to its identifier (lowest wins).
  3. Disable Redundant Links:
    • According to the received BPDU information and disable connections that are not part of the spanning tree.

Example STP Logic for Root Bridge Selection:

void ElectRootBridge(std::vector<NodeContainer> switches) {

uint32_t rootBridge = switches[0]->GetId();

for (auto &node : switches) {

if (node->GetId() < rootBridge) {

rootBridge = node->GetId();

}

}

NS_LOG_UNCOND(“Root Bridge Selected: ” << rootBridge);

This demonstration completely offers the step-by-step approach to setup the basic network simulation and helps to implement the Spanning tree protocol projects in the NS3 simulation tool. We can also provide the additional details about its Spanning tree protocol projects, if needed.

We guarantee outstanding results tailored to your needs. Provide us with the details of your project, and we’ll steer you toward remarkable achievements. Our team of developers excels in loop-free logical topology and is ready to assist you in brainstorming unique project ideas and themes. To get started on your Spanning Tree Protocol Projects with NS3, be sure to send all your project information to phdprojects.org.