How to Implement Decentralized Networks in OMNeT++

To implement the Decentralized Networks in OMNeT++ contains scheming and copying a network wherever nodes function autonomously and make results deprived of depend on a centralized consultant. This method is regularly used in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, blockchain networks, and decentralized IoT systems. Now, the following step-by-step guide to implementing Decentralized Networks in OMNeT++ by using the INET framework:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Install OMNeT++ and INET Framework

To make have OMNeT++ and the INET Framework is install

Create a New OMNeT++ Project

Open OMNeT++ IDE: Start the OMNeT++ IDE.
Create a New Project: Go to File -> New -> OMNeT++ Project. Name the project like DecentralizedNetworkSimulation.

Define the Network Topology

Generate a new NED file to describe the network topology, including decentralized nodes.

Example:

Decentralized Network Topology (DecentralizedNetwork.ned)

package decentralizednetwork;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.inet.Router;

import inet.node.inet.WirelessHost

network DecentralizedNetwork

{

parameters:

@display(“bgb=800,400”);

submodules:

node1: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=100,300”);

}

node2: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=300,300”);

}

node3: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=500,300”);

}

node4: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=200,200”);

}

node5: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=400,200”);

}

connections allowunconnected:

}

Configure the Simulation

To build an OMNeT++ initialization file to configure the limitations of the simulation.

Example:

Configuration File (omnetpp.ini)

[General]

network = decentralizednetwork.DecentralizedNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Visualization

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayBackground = true

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayGrid = true

# Node Configuration

*.node*.numApps = 1

*.node*.app[0].typename = “DecentralizedApp

# IP Address Configuration

*.node1.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node1.xml”)

*.node2.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node2.xml”)

*.node3.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node3.xml”)

*.node4.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node4.xml”)

*.node5.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node5.xml”)

Create IP Address Configuration Files

To make a XML files to describe the IP address configuration for to each node.

Example:

IP Configuration File for node1 (node1.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Example:

IP Configuration File for node2 (node2.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Example:

IP Configuration File for node3 (node3.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Example:

IP Configuration File for node4 (node4.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Example:

IP Configuration File for node5 (node5.xml)

</interface>

</config>

Implement Decentralized Application Logic

To execute the decentralized applications, necessity to implement the logic for peer-to-peer communication, consensus mechanisms, and data exchange.

Example:

Decentralized Application (Pseudo-Code)

#include <omnetpp.h>

using namespace omnetpp;

class DecentralizedApp : public cSimpleModule

{

private:

std::vector<int> neighbors;

void discoverNeighbors();

void communicateWithNeighbors();

void handleReceivedData(cMessage *msg);

protected:

virtual void initialize() override;

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;

public:

DecentralizedApp();

virtual ~DecentralizedApp();

};

Define_Module(DecentralizedApp);

DecentralizedApp::DecentralizedApp() {

// Constructor code

}

DecentralizedApp::~DecentralizedApp() {

// Destructor code

}

void DecentralizedApp::initialize() {

// Initialization code

discoverNeighbors();

scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, new cMessage(“communicate”));

}

void DecentralizedApp::handleMessage(cMessage *msg) {

if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “communicate”) == 0) {

communicateWithNeighbors();

scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, msg);

} else {

handleReceivedData(msg);

}

void DecentralizedApp::discoverNeighbors() {

// Logic to discover neighboring nodes

}

void DecentralizedApp::communicateWithNeighbors() {

// Logic to communicate with neighboring nodes

for (int neighbor : neighbors) {

cMessage *msg = new cMessage(“data”);

send(msg, “out”, neighbor);

}

void DecentralizedApp::handleReceivedData(cMessage *msg) {

// Logic to handle received data

delete msg; // Example: simply delete the message

}

Add Neighbor Discovery and Communication Logic

Outline parameters and logic for neighbor discovery and communication in the NED and initialization files.

Example:

Add Parameters to NED File (DecentralizedNetwork.ned)

package decentralizednetwork;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.inet.WirelessHost;

network DecentralizedNetwork

{

parameters:

@display(“bgb=800,400”);

submodules:

node1: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=100,300”);

}

node2: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=300,300”);

}

node3: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=500,300”);

}

node4: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=200,200”);

}

node5: WirelessHost {

@display(“p=400,200”);

}

connections allowunconnected:

}

Example:

Add Parameters to INI File (omnetpp.ini)

[General]

network = decentralizednetwork.DecentralizedNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Visualization

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayBackground = true

*.visualizer.canvasVisualizer.displayGrid = true

# Node Configuration

*.node*.numApps = 1

*.node*.app[0].typename = “DecentralizedApp”

# IP Address Configuration

*.node1.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node1.xml”)

*.node2.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node2.xml”)

*.node3.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node3.xml”)

*.node4.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node4.xml”)

*.node5.ipv4.config = xmldoc(“node5.xml”)

Run the Simulation

Build the Project: Right-click on the project and choose Build Project.
Run the Simulation: Snap on the green play button in the OMNeT++ IDE to start the simulation.

In the above details, we learn about the INET framework and decentralized network topology and more examples is help to understand easily. We are passionate to provide more facts about how to implement the Decentralized Network in OMNeT++.

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