How to Begin Implement Network Virtualization Projects in NS3

To stimulate a Network Virtualization (NV) projects in NS-3 tool has includes the build a virtualized network environment in which the several virtual networks distribute the similar physical structure. Below is a structured guide to help you begin implementing a network virtualization project in NS-3

Steps to Begin Implementing a Network Virtualization Projects Using NS3

1. Understand Network Virtualization

Network Virtualization (NV) ensures:

• Virtual Networks (VN): Multiple isolated networks (tenants) are distributing the physical structure.
• Resource Sharing: The resource distribute for envision the nodes, connection, and bandwidth.
• Dynamic Reconfiguration: Assign or alter the resources according to their request.

Components of NV:

• Physical Network (PN): For distribute the physical structure such as nodes and links.
• Virtual Network (VN): Logical partitions for the PN.
• Virtual Network Manager (VNM): VNs are handling the plots for PN resources.

2. Define Project Objectives

• It replicates the several virtual networks for distribute the physical topology.
• Examine the metrics such as resource allocation effectiveness, throughput, and latency.
• Apply the features such as dynamic resource allocation, slicing, or tenant isolation.

3. Install and Set Up NS-3

• Install NS-3 from the official website.
• Explore modules that facilitate virtualization-like functionality:
  • Point-to-Point: Aimed at replicate the link-level.
  • Internet Stack: Intended for functional the network-layer.
  • Custom Modules: Designed for envision logic.

4. Design the Virtualized Network Architecture

Key Components:

1. Physical Network (PN):
   • The replicate the real hardware structure.
2. Virtual Networks (VN):
   • It builds an isolated logical networks plot physical network.
3. Resource Allocation:
   • Describe on how the resources such as bandwidth, nodes are assigned the VNs.

5. Implement the Simulation

Step A: Create the Physical Network

Describe the physical topology using nodes and connections.

NodeContainer physicalNodes;

physicalNodes.Create(6); // Physical nodes

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

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

NetDeviceContainer physicalDevices = p2p.Install(physicalNodes.Get(0), physicalNodes.Get(1));

Step B: Create Virtual Networks

It replicates the virtual networks through logically segregating congestion for the physical structure.

1. Create Virtual Nodes:
   • Plot the virtual nodes for physical nodes.

NodeContainer virtualNetwork1, virtualNetwork2;

virtualNetwork1.Add(physicalNodes.Get(0));

virtualNetwork1.Add(physicalNodes.Get(1));

virtualNetwork2.Add(physicalNodes.Get(2));

virtualNetwork2.Add(physicalNodes.Get(3));

1. Assign Separate IP Ranges for VNs:
   • Use the various IP address subnets for segregation.

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer vn1Interfaces = ipv4.Assign(physicalDevices);

ipv4.SetBase(“10.2.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer vn2Interfaces = ipv4.Assign(physicalDevices);

Step C: Add Traffic Applications

1. Virtual Network 1:
   • It replicates the congestion using applications such as OnOffApplication.

OnOffHelper onOff(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(vn1Interfaces.GetAddress(1), 9));

onOff.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“500Mbps”));

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

ApplicationContainer vn1Apps = onOff.Install(virtualNetwork1.Get(0));

vn1Apps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

vn1Apps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

1. Virtual Network 2:
   • Setting the same congestion for the second VN.

OnOffHelper onOff2(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(vn2Interfaces.GetAddress(1), 9));

onOff2.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“300Mbps”));

onOff2.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer vn2Apps = onOff2.Install(virtualNetwork2.Get(0));

vn2Apps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

vn2Apps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

6. Add Virtualization Features

1. Bandwidth Slicing:
   • Use traffic shaping or QoS components for assign the bandwidth in VNs.
   • Example: TrafficControlHelper.

TrafficControlHelper trafficControl;

trafficControl.SetRootQueueDisc(“ns3::FifoQueueDisc”);

trafficControl.Install(physicalDevices);

1. Dynamic Resource Allocation:
   • Apply the logic for alter the resources for sample bandwidth according to the load.
   • Example: Write a custom tool NS-3 application for handle the alter connection capacities.
2. Tenant Isolation:
   • Assure which congestion from various VNs is isolated.
   • Use the routing tables or VLAN mentions for separation.

7. Configure Simulation Parameters

Set duration for replication and process for the replication.

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(15.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

8. Evaluate Performance

• Metrics:
  • It estimates the metrices such as throughput, delay, packet loss, and resource utilization.
• Visualization:
  • Use tools like NetAnim for demonstrate the graphical.
  • Distribute the outcomes for MATLAB or Python for study the specific.

9. Advanced Features

1. Orchestration:
   • It replicates the virtual network orchestrator for handle the VN lifecycle for sample creates, update, delete.
2. Fault Tolerance:
   • Apply the resilience mechanisms for connection or node failures.
3. Multi-Tenancy:
   • It replicates the several tenants for distribute the similar PN.

Sample Complete Code Framework

#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”

#include “ns3/traffic-control-module.h”

using namespace ns3;

int main() {

// Create Physical Network

NodeContainer physicalNodes;

physicalNodes.Create(6); // 6 Physical Nodes

PointToPointHelper p2p;

p2p.SetDeviceAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“1Gbps”));

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

NetDeviceContainer devices1 = p2p.Install(physicalNodes.Get(0), physicalNodes.Get(1));

NetDeviceContainer devices2 = p2p.Install(physicalNodes.Get(2), physicalNodes.Get(3));

// Install Internet Stack

InternetStackHelper internet;

internet.Install(physicalNodes);

// Assign IP Addresses for VN1

Ipv4AddressHelper ipv4;

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

Ipv4InterfaceContainer vn1Interfaces = ipv4.Assign(devices1);

// Assign IP Addresses for VN2

ipv4.SetBase(“10.2.1.0”, “255.255.255.0”);

Ipv4InterfaceContainer vn2Interfaces = ipv4.Assign(devices2);

// Configure Applications for VN1

OnOffHelper onOff1(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(vn1Interfaces.GetAddress(1), 9));

onOff1.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“500Mbps”));

onOff1.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(1024));

ApplicationContainer vn1Apps = onOff1.Install(physicalNodes.Get(0));

vn1Apps.Start(Seconds(1.0));

vn1Apps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Configure Applications for VN2

OnOffHelper onOff2(“ns3::UdpSocketFactory”, InetSocketAddress(vn2Interfaces.GetAddress(1), 9));

onOff2.SetAttribute(“DataRate”, StringValue(“300Mbps”));

onOff2.SetAttribute(“PacketSize”, UintegerValue(512));

ApplicationContainer vn2Apps = onOff2.Install(physicalNodes.Get(2));

vn2Apps.Start(Seconds(2.0));

vn2Apps.Stop(Seconds(10.0));

// Traffic Control for Bandwidth Slicing

TrafficControlHelper trafficControl;

trafficControl.SetRootQueueDisc(“ns3::FifoQueueDisc”);

trafficControl.Install(devices1);

trafficControl.Install(devices2);

// Run Simulation

Simulator::Stop(Seconds(15.0));

Simulator::Run();

Simulator::Destroy();

return 0;

}

We clearly explain the concepts and techniques on how to simulate the network function virtualization project using the tool of ns3 and it contains the step-by-step procedures, sample snippets and the project key points. Any queries related to this project will be clarified in a different manual.