How to Implement Next Generation Firewalls in OMNeT++
To implement Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) in OMNeT++ has needs to emulate the advanced security like deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, application awareness, and more and the simulation can design how NGFWs can secure a network by filtering traffic, identifying the threats, and implementing security policies. The given below will walk you on how to execute the NGFWs in OMNeT++.
Step-by-Step Implementation:
- Set Up OMNeT++ Environment:
- Install OMNeT++: make sure OMNeT++ is installed and properly configured on system.
- Install INET Framework: Download and install the INET framework that is used to design the network components and the firewall.
- Define the Network Topology:
Generate a network that contains numerous nodes like clients, servers and a Next-Generation Firewall in between.
Example NED File (NGFWNetwork.ned):
network NGFWNetwork
{
submodules:
client: StandardHost {
@display(“p=100,200”);
}
server: StandardHost {
@display(“p=400,200”);
}
firewall: NextGenFirewall {
@display(“p=250,200”);
}
connections:
client.pppg++ –> firewall.pppg++;
firewall.pppg++ –> server.pppg++;
}
Here, StandardHost signifies the client and server nodes, and NextGenFirewall is the custom module we will mimic a Next-Generation Firewall.
- Create a Next-Generation Firewall Module:
Execute a module that replicates NGFW features such as packet filtering, deep packet inspection, and intrusion prevention.
Example C++ File (NextGenFirewall.cc):
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/chunk/ByteCountChunk.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class NextGenFirewall : public cSimpleModule
{
private:
std::set<std::string> blockedIPs;
std::vector<std::string> suspiciousPatterns;
bool inspectPacket(Packet *pkt) {
// Simulate Deep Packet Inspection
auto chunk = pkt->peekData<ByteCountChunk>();
std::string payload = chunk->str();
// Check for suspicious patterns
for (const auto& pattern : suspiciousPatterns) {
if (payload.find(pattern) != std::string::npos) {
EV << “Suspicious pattern detected: ” << pattern << “\n”;
return false;
}
}
return true;
}
bool filterPacket(Packet *pkt) {
// Simulate IP filtering
const char *srcIP = pkt->getTag<L3AddressInd>()->getSrcAddress().str().c_str();
if (blockedIPs.find(srcIP) != blockedIPs.end()) {
EV << “Packet from blocked IP: ” << srcIP << “\n”;
return false;
}
return true;
}
protected:
virtual void initialize() override {
// Initialize blocked IPs and suspicious patterns
blockedIPs.insert(“192.168.1.100”);
suspiciousPatterns.push_back(“malware_signature”);
}
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override {
Packet *pkt = check_and_cast<Packet*>(msg);
if (filterPacket(pkt) && inspectPacket(pkt)) {
// Forward the packet if it passes both filters
send(pkt, “out”);
} else {
EV << “Packet dropped by NGFW.\n”;
delete pkt;
}
}
};
Define_Module(NextGenFirewall);
- Integrate the Firewall Module into the Network:
Adjust the NED files to make sure that the firewall is appropriately positioned among the client and the server, inspecting all traffic.
Example NED File (NextGenFirewall.ned):
simple NextGenFirewall
{
gates:
input in[];
output out[];
}
- Simulate Network Traffic:
To emulate the numerous kinds of traffic that encompasses normal, malicious, and suspicious packets, to verify the efficiency of the NGFW.
Example Traffic Generator (TrafficGenerator.cc):
#include <omnetpp.h>
#include “inet/common/INETDefs.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/Packet.h”
#include “inet/common/packet/chunk/ByteCountChunk.h”
using namespace omnetpp;
using namespace inet;
class TrafficGenerator : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override {
// Generate traffic after a short delay
cMessage *msg = new cMessage(“generateTraffic”);
scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, msg);
}
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override {
// Create different types of packets
Packet *normalPacket = new Packet(“normal_packet”);
normalPacket->insertAtBack(makeShared<ByteCountChunk>(“Hello Server”));
Packet *maliciousPacket = new Packet(“malicious_packet”);
maliciousPacket->insertAtBack(makeShared<ByteCountChunk>(“malware_signature”));
// Send packets
send(normalPacket, “out”);
send(maliciousPacket, “out”);
delete msg;
}
};
Define_Module(TrafficGenerator);
Attach this TrafficGenerator module to the client node in your network.
- Run the Simulation:
- Compile and run the simulation using OMNeT++.
- Monitor how the NGFW manages the numerous packets. The normal packet should pass through, while the malicious packet should be dropped.
- Analyse the Results:
- Traffic Filtering: Make certain that the NGFW appropriately filters packets based on IP and content inspection.
- Intrusion Detection: Prove that suspicious patterns are discovered and the corresponding packets are blocked.
- Performance Metrics: Evaluate the effect of NGFW features on network performance like latency and throughput.
- Extend the Simulation:
- Advanced Threat Detection: Execute more sophisticated techniques for threat detection like anomaly detection or machine learning-based inspection.
- Application Awareness: To mimic application-layer filtering by inspecting application-level data and enforcing security policies.
- Dynamic Policy Updates: To execute dynamic updating of firewall rules based on developing threat landscapes.
- Scalability Testing: validate the NGFW’s performance in a larger network with multiple clients and servers.
We will learn and understood how the next-generation firewalls will simulated in the network using the OMNeT++ tool for security. We will also intend to elaborate how the next generation firewalls will perform in other simulation tool. For optimal research concepts and timely execution, we will serve as your most reliable collaborator. Our expertise encompasses all aspects of Next Generation Firewalls within the OMNeT++ framework, allowing you to receive customized services from us.