How to Implement Interior Gateway Routing Protocol in OMNeT++

To implement the Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) in OMNeT++ involves numerous steps, with setting up the simulation environment, describing the EIGRP modules, employing the EIGRP algorithm, and testing the implementation. As EIGRP is a proprietary protocol established by Cisco, it’s not natively sustained in the INET Framework, meaning we will need to implement it from scratch or changing existing routing protocols to emulate EIGRP performance.

Step-by-Step Implementations:

Step 1: Set Up the OMNeT++ Environment

1. Install OMNeT++:
   • Make sure that OMNeT++ is installed on the system. OMNeT++ version 5.x or later is suggested.
   • Download and install it from the OMNeT++
2. Install the INET Framework:
   • Download and set up the INET Framework, which offers a basis of network protocols and models. This is essential for basic network simulation capabilities.
   • The INET Framework can be create on the INET Framework GitHub repository.

Step 2: Create a New OMNeT++ Project

1. Create the Project:
   • Open OMNeT++ and to make a new project by choosing File > New > OMNeT++ Project.
   • Name the project like EIGRP_Simulation, and set up the project directory.
2. Set Up Project Dependencies:
   • Right-click on the project in the Project Explorer, direct to Properties > Project References, and make a certain that the project references the INET Framework.

Step 3: Understand EIGRP Basics

Before implementing EIGRP, we should know its key features:

• DUAL Algorithm: EIGRP uses the Diffusing Update Algorithm (DUAL) for route computation, confirming loop-free and backup routes.
• Neighbor Discovery and Maintenance: EIGRP discovers and preserves relationships with neighbouring routers.
• Topology Table: EIGRP maintains a topology table that stores data about all routes gain knowledge from neighbours.
• Route Metrics: EIGRP uses multiple metrics, with bandwidth, delay, load, and reliability, to compute the best route.

Step 4: Define the Network Topology in OMNeT++

1. Create a NED File:
   • State the network topology using the NED language. The network should consist of routers that will run EIGRP and links connecting them.

Example:

network EIGRPNetwork

{

submodules:

router1: Router;

router2: Router;

router3: Router;

…

connections:

router1.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> router2.ethg++;

router2.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> router3.ethg++;

…

}

1. Configure Network Parameters:
   • Set up link parameters, like bandwidth, delay, and loss rate, to match the simulation requirements.

Step 5: Implement EIGRP Protocol

1. Create EIGRP Modules:
   • We need to make new modules in OMNeT++ that denote the EIGRP protocol. This includes:
     • Neighbor Discovery and Maintenance Module: To handle neighbour relationships.
     • DUAL Algorithm Module: To execute the DUAL algorithm for route computation.
     • Topology Table Module: To preserve the topology information.
     • EIGRP Packet Handling Module: To handle EIGRP-specific packets and messages.

Example (in NED):

simple EIGRP

{

parameters:

@display(“i=block/network2”);

gates:

inout inoutg[];

submodules:

neighborDiscovery: NeighborDiscovery;

dualAlgorithm: DUALAlgorithm;

topologyTable: TopologyTable;

packetHandler: PacketHandler;

connections:

inoutg++ <–> neighborDiscovery.inoutg++;

neighborDiscovery.out <–> dualAlgorithm.in;

dualAlgorithm.out <–> topologyTable.in;

topologyTable.out <–> packetHandler.in;

}

1. Implement the EIGRP Logic in C++:
   • Mark C++ code for the different modules. This will contain:
     • Executing the DUAL algorithm for route calculations.
     • Managing the formation and maintenance of neighbour relationships.
     • Handling the topology table and routing table updates.
     • Processing EIGRP packets and creating appropriate responses.
2. Create EIGRP Message Types:
   • Express custom message types for EIGRP packets like Hello packets, Update packets, Query packets, and Reply packets.

Example (in C++):

class EIGRPHelloPacket : public cMessage {

…

};

class EIGRPUpdatePacket : public cMessage {

…

};

1. Integrate EIGRP with the Router Module:
   • Modify the router modules to include EIGRP as one of the supported routing protocols.
   • Make sure the router can handle EIGRP packets and update its routing table based on EIGRP calculations.

Step 6: Configure the Simulation

1. Configure EIGRP Parameters in omnetpp.ini:
   • Set up the simulation parameters, with EIGRP-specific sets like Hello interval, Hold time, and route metrics.

Example:

[General]

network = EIGRPNetwork

*.router*.typename = “Router”

*.router*.eigrpEnabled = true

*.router*.eigrp.helloInterval = 5s

*.router*.eigrp.holdTime = 15s

1. Define the Initial Topology and Routes:
   • Pre-configure any essential initial topology or manually set up specific routes if needed.

Step 7: Simulate and Test EIGRP

1. Compile the Project:
   • Build the project to make sure there are no errors and that all modules are correctly implemented.
2. Run the Simulation:
   • Accomplish the simulation and note how EIGRP discovers neighbours, exchanges routes, and converges to a stable routing state.
3. Analyse Results:
   • Use OMNeT++’s analysis tools to inspect routing tables, packet flows, and network performance. Calculate how well EIGRP maintains loop-free and optimal routes.

Step 8: Refine and Extend

1. Optimize EIGRP Implementation:
   • Fine-tune the EIGRP implementation for well performance or to handle edge cases like link failures.
2. Test with Different Scenarios:
   • Run the simulation under different network scenarios to test the robustness of the EIGRP implementation, with scenarios with numerous areas or categorised routing.
3. Extend the Implementation:
   • Consider extending the implementation to contain features like route summarization, load balancing, or interaction with further routing protocols.

Finally, we are complete that, how to execute Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol (EIGRP) Protocol in OMNeT++. Here, we see the step-by-step procedure for implement the EIGRP protocol and some coding in OMNeT++. For further implementation and project execution references, we can help you shre with us all your project details.