How to Implement Network Threat Detection in ns2

To implement the network threat detection within NS2 that has needs to encompass simulating a network environment in which the potential security threats, like intrusions, attacks, or anomalies, can be detected. This detection can be attained by observing network traffic and applying detection mechanisms to find the suspicious activities. Given below is a simple procedure will help to simulate basic network threat detection in NS2.

Step-by-Step Guide to Implementing Network Threat Detection in NS2

  1. Understand Network Threat Detection Components:
  • Monitoring: Endlessly monitor the network traffic to find suspicious or abnormal behaviour.
  • Detection Mechanism: We can use the predefined rules, patterns, or anomaly-based detection methods to detect the potential threats.
  • Response: Take action when a threat is detected, like logging the event, alerting administrators, or blocking the source.
  1. Set Up the NS2 Environment:
  • Make sure NS2 is installed on the computer.
  • Get to know the writing TCL scripts, as NS2 simulations are controlled through the TCL.
  1. Define the Network Topology:
  • Make a nodes signifying the devices in the network, containing normal users, potential attackers, and a threat detection node.

# Define the simulator

set ns [new Simulator]

# Create a trace file for capturing network traffic

set tracefile [open threat_detection_trace.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

# Create a NAM file for visualization

set namfile [open threat_detection_analysis.nam w]

$ns namtrace-all-wireless $namfile 10

# Set up the network parameters

set opt(chan)   Channel/WiredChannel         ;# Wired channel for LAN

set opt(prop)   Propagation/ConstantSpeed    ;# Propagation model for wired

set opt(netif)  Phy/WiredPhy                 ;# Network interface type for wired

set opt(mac)    Mac/802_3                    ;# Ethernet MAC type

set opt(ifq)    Queue/DropTail/PriQueue      ;# Interface queue type

set opt(ll)     LL                           ;# Link layer type

set opt(ifqlen) 50                           ;# Queue size

set opt(delay)  10ms                         ;# Link delay for wired network

# Create a topography object

create-god 10

# Configure the nodes (e.g., network devices and threat detection node)

$ns node-config -llType $opt(ll) \

-macType $opt(mac) \

-ifqType $opt(ifq) \

-ifqLen $opt(ifqlen) \

-propType $opt(prop) \

-phyType $opt(netif) \

-channelType $opt(chan) \

-topoInstance $topo \

-agentTrace ON \

-routerTrace ON \

-macTrace OFF \

-movementTrace OFF

# Create network nodes

set node1 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 1 (e.g., server)

set node2 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 2 (e.g., client)

set node3 [$ns node]  ;# Network Node 3 (e.g., router)

# Create an attacker node

set attacker [$ns node] ;# Attacker Node

# Create a threat detection node

set detection_node [$ns node] ;# Threat Detection Node

# Set initial positions for the nodes (optional for wired networks)

$node1 set X_ 100.0

$node1 set Y_ 100.0

$node1 set Z_ 0.0

$node2 set X_ 200.0

$node2 set Y_ 100.0

$node2 set Z_ 0.0

$node3 set X_ 300.0

$node3 set Y_ 100.0

$node3 set Z_ 0.0

$attacker set X_ 400.0

$attacker set Y_ 100.0

$attacker set Z_ 0.0

$detection_node set X_ 500.0

$detection_node set Y_ 100.0

$detection_node set Z_ 0.0

  1. Simulate Normal and Malicious Traffic:
  • Execute both normal communication among the network nodes and malicious activities from the attacker node.

# Create duplex links between nodes with defined bandwidth and delay

$ns duplex-link $node1 $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $node2 $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $attacker $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $detection_node $node3 100Mb 10ms DropTail

# Normal traffic: Node 1 to Node 2 via Node 3

set tcp_node1 [new Agent/TCP]

$ns attach-agent $node1 $tcp_node1

set tcp_node2_sink [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $node2 $tcp_node2_sink

$ns connect $tcp_node1 $tcp_node2_sink

# Start normal communication

set app_node1 [new Application/FTP]

$app_node1 attach-agent $tcp_node1

$ns at 2.0 “$app_node1 start”

# Malicious traffic: DoS attack from Attacker to Node 1

set udp_attacker [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $attacker $udp_attacker

set null_sink [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $node1 $null_sink

$ns connect $udp_attacker $null_sink

# Start the DoS attack at time 3.0 seconds

set dos_attack [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$dos_attack set packetSize_ 1024

$dos_attack set interval_ 0.001  ;# High-frequency packets to simulate DoS

$dos_attack attach-agent $udp_attacker

$ns at 3.0 “$dos_attack start”

  1. Implement the Threat Detection Mechanism:
  • The threat detection node observes traffic and detects potential threats, like the DoS attack.

# Threat detection logic: Monitor traffic and detect potential threats

proc detect_threat {src dst packet_size threshold} {

global ns

if {$packet_size > $threshold} {

puts “Threat Detected: Possible DoS attack from $src to $dst at time [$ns now]”

# Implement further actions, such as logging the event or blocking the source

$ns at [expr $ns now + 0.5] “$src reset”

puts “Action Taken: Traffic from $src blocked”

}

}

# Schedule the threat detection to monitor traffic at Node 1

$ns at 3.1 “detect_threat $attacker $node1 1024 800”

  1. Simulate Threat Response:
  • The detection node takes action, like blocking the attacker, once a threat is detected.

# Threat response: Block the attacker’s traffic if a threat is detected

proc block_attacker {attacker_node} {

puts “Blocking attacker node: $attacker_node”

$attacker_node reset

}

# Schedule blocking the attacker after detection

$ns at 3.2 “block_attacker $attacker”

  1. Run the Simulation:
  • Describe when the simulation should terminate and execute it. The finish process will close the trace files and introduce NAM for visualization.

# Define the finish procedure

proc finish {} {

global ns tracefile namfile

$ns flush-trace

close $tracefile

close $namfile

exec nam threat_detection_analysis.nam &

exit 0

}

# Schedule the finish procedure at 10 seconds

$ns at 10.0 “finish”

# Run the simulation

$ns run

  1. Analyse the Results:
  • Reread the threat_detection_trace.tr file to evaluate how the detection node identified and responded to the attack. Observe for alerts generated by the detection node and monitor the actions taken versus the attacker.
  • We can use the NAM file (threat_detection_analysis.nam) to visualize the network operations and know how the threat detection system interacted with the network in the attack.
  1. Customize and Extend:
  • Tailor the simulation by:
    • Executing more advanced detection algorithms, like anomaly-based detection, pattern recognition, or machine learning-based methods.
    • Appending more security mechanisms such as encryption, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), or firewall rules to complement the threat detection.
    • Mimicking a broader range of attacks, like ARP spoofing, SQL injection, or man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, to evaluate the robustness of the detection system.

The basic approach for the Network Threat Detection was executed methodically, then executed and evaluated using the simulation tool ns2. If you want additional guidance about this topic we will provide. Check out the provided manual to configure Network Threat Detection using ns2. If you need personalized services, don’t hesitate to contact us. We focus on identifying potential security threats such as intrusions, attacks, or anomalies, specifically designed to meet your research requirements.