How to Implement Network Device Management in NS2

To implement the Network Device Management in NS2, we have to simulate the management of network devices like routers, switches and end nodes including observing and maintaining the performance of the network. The significant element of network device management can contain observing the status of devices, setting up their properties, tracking performance metrics (like bandwidth and delay) and managing devices failures.

Here’s how you can implement a basic technique of Network Device Management in NS2.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

  1. Install NS2

If you don’t already have NS2 installed, follow the installation steps for your platform (Linux, Windows with Cygwin, or macOS).

  1. Set Up the Environment

Network Device Management often encompasses handling several devices (like routers or switches) and observing traffic. Start by designing a TCL script that states a network topology with several devices and links.

  1. Create a TCL Script for Device Management

Here’s a basic sample of how you can implement a simple topology with device management functionalities in NS2:

# Create a simulator object

set ns [new Simulator]

# Open trace and nam files for output

set tracefile [open devicemanagement.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

set namfile [open devicemanagement.nam w]

$ns namtrace-all $namfile

# Define the topology for device management

set num_devices 5

set bw 10Mb

set delay 10ms

# Create nodes (network devices such as routers, switches, and hosts)

set device(0) [$ns node]  ;# Host

set device(1) [$ns node]  ;# Router 1

set device(2) [$ns node]  ;# Router 2

set device(3) [$ns node]  ;# Router 3

set device(4) [$ns node]  ;# Host 2

# Create links between devices

$ns duplex-link $device(0) $device(1) $bw $delay DropTail

$ns duplex-link $device(1) $device(2) $bw $delay DropTail

$ns duplex-link $device(2) $device(3) $bw $delay DropTail

$ns duplex-link $device(3) $device(4) $bw $delay DropTail

# Enable monitoring on all links to track the status

for {set i 0} {$i < $num_devices-1} {incr i} {

$ns duplex-link-op $device($i) $device([expr $i+1]) queuePos 0.5

}

# Traffic configuration for device communication

set tcp [new Agent/TCP]

set sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $device(0) $tcp

$ns attach-agent $device(4) $sink

$ns connect $tcp $sink

# Attach FTP application to the TCP agent on the host

set ftp [new Application/FTP]

$ftp attach-agent $tcp

$ftp start

# Simulate device failures and recovery

proc manage_device_failure {} {

global ns device

# Disable link between Router 2 and Router 3 (simulate a failure)

$ns rtmodel-at 5.0 down $device(2) $device(3)

$ns rtmodel-at 10.0 up $device(2) $device(3)

}

# Schedule device failure and recovery

$ns at 4.0 “manage_device_failure”

# Finish the simulation

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile namfile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

close $namfile

exec nam devicemanagement.nam &

exit 0

}

# Set the simulation end time

$ns at 20.0 “finish”

# Start the simulation

$ns run

  1. Explanation of Key Components
  • Simulator Setup: A simulator object $ns is built to state the network simulation.
  • Network Devices:
    • The network devices (routers, hosts) are indicated by nodes (device(0) to device(4)).
    • Links are configured amongst these devices using duplex links with certain bandwidth ($bw) and delay ($delay).
  • Device Failure Management:
    • The manage_device_failure procedure is used to replicate a failure on the link amidst Router 2 and Router 3. The link is “brought down” at time 5.0 and restored at time 10.0.
  • Traffic Simulation:
    • TCP traffic is mimicked amongst Host 1 and Host 2. FTP is added to the TCP agent to produce file transfer traffic.
  • Queue Monitoring:
    • The queue positions are observed on each link using $ns duplex-link-op. This can be used to track queue status (for bandwidth usage, packet drops, etc.).
  • Output and Visualization:
    • The results are saved to a trace file (devicemanagement.tr) and visualized using NAM (devicemanagement.nam).
  1. Run the Simulation

Store the script as devicemanagement.tcl and execute it with the given command:

ns devicemanagement.tcl

To visualize the simulation and monitor the device failure and recovery, open the NAM file:

nam devicemanagement.nam

  1. Device Management Features

You can extend the above script with the following mechanisms to simulate a more complete network device management system:

  • Dynamic Configuration:
    • Simulate amends in device configuration (like fine-tuning routing tables or bandwidth allocation) during the simulation using rtmodel or manual set ups at certain times.
  • Device Monitoring:
    • Observe metrics like bandwidth consumption, packet loss, and latency for each link.
    • You can track and log these parameters in the trace file and later assess them using post-processing tools.
  • Fault Tolerance:
    • Accomplish fault tolerance by systematically rerouting traffic in case of device failure using dynamic routing protocols like DSDV, AODV, or OSPF.
  • Energy Management (Optional):
    • If you are dealing with wireless devices or mobile devices, you can incorporate energy models to observe and handle the energy utilization of each device.
  • Topology Changes:
    • Mimic the addition or removal of devices dynamically during the simulation to model real-world network conditions like new devices joining or leaving the network.
  1. Advanced Features
  • Quality of Service (QoS): You can execute QoS by setting up differentiated services depends on bandwidth allocation, link priorities, and service classes.
  • Device Recovery: Execute automated mechanisms for identifying failures and recovering from them (like restoring failed links or redirecting traffic dynamically).
  • SNMP Integration: Handle device performance and status using custom protocols by imitating an SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)-like system.
  • Dynamic Routing: Imitate self-healing and adaptive routing in the case of device failures or network changes by using dynamic routing protocols like AODV, DSR, or OLSR.
  1. Analyzing Results

After the simulation is done, you can assess the trace file (devicemanagement.tr) to extract useful data:

  • Link failures and recovery events
  • Bandwidth utilization
  • Packet drops and delays
  • Device performance metrics

You can use the outcomes to analyze how the network acts under various management scenarios and to detect potential problems with the configuration or the routing of data.

Utilize this demonstration process to understand how to implement the Network Device Management using ns2. You can be able to extend the simulation and modify it. We also offer the additional mechanisms and how to attach them into it. For further requirements, we will deliver any details of their management technique to you. To Set Up Network Device Management in NS2 Keep in touch with us for the best advice and for great thesis ideas and topics.