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How to Implement multicast routing in OMNeT++

To implement the multicast routing in OMNeT++ requires to include generating a network using a multicast group address where data packets are sent to multiple recipients. This routing is basically used in applications like live broadcasting, online gaming and video streaming, where the same data desires to be sent to multiple destinations effectively.

Now, given below is a step-by-step process to implement multicast routing in OMNeT++ using the INET framework:

Step-by-Step Implementations:

Step 1: Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

  1. Install OMNeT++:
    • Make sure OMNeT++ is installed on the system. We download it from the OMNeT++
  2. Install the INET Framework:
    • Download and install the INET Framework, which offers numerous networking protocols and models, with the support for multicast routing. INET can be downloaded from the INET GitHub repository.

Step 2: Create a New OMNeT++ Project

  1. Create the Project:
    • Open OMNeT++ and make a new OMNeT++ project by File > New > OMNeT++ Project.
    • Name the project like MulticastRoutingSimulation and set up the project directory.
  2. Set Up Project Dependencies:
    • Make certain the project references the INET Framework by right-clicking on the project in the Project Explorer, navigating to Properties > Project References, and verifying the INET project.

Step 3: Define the Network Topology

  1. Create a NED File:
    • Define the network topology using the NED language. This topology will include nodes like routers, hosts that will contribute in multicast routing.

Example:

network MulticastNetwork

{

submodules:

router1: Router;

router2: Router;

router3: Router;

router4: Router;

host1: StandardHost;

host2: StandardHost;

host3: StandardHost;

connections:

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

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

router3.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> router4.ethg++;

router1.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> host1.ethg++;

router4.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> host2.ethg++;

router3.ethg++ <–> Eth10Mbps <–> host3.ethg++;

}

  1. Configure Network Parameters:
    • Set up required link parameters like delay, bandwidth, and packet loss to simulate a realistic network setting.

Step 4: Implement Multicast Routing

  1. Use or Extend Existing Multicast Protocols:
    • INET already helps numerous multicast routing protocols, like DVMRP that is Distance Vector Multicast Routing Protocol and PIM (Protocol Independent Multicast). We use these protocols directly or encompass them if you need custom behaviour.
  2. Enable Multicast Routing in the Network:
    • In the INET framework, multicast routing can be enabled by configuring the suitable parameters in the omnetpp.ini file.

Example using DVMRP:

[General]

network = MulticastNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

**.scalar-recording = true

**.vector-recording = true

# Enable multicast routing on routers

*.router*.hasMulticastRouting = true

*.router*.multicastProtocol = “DVMRP”

# Configure multicast routing tables if needed

  1. Configure Multicast Group Membership:
    • Define which hosts are members of a multicast group. It is often done in the omnetpp.ini file.

Example:

*.host1.interfaceTable.interface[0].ipv4.multicastGroups = “224.0.0.1”

*.host2.interfaceTable.interface[0].ipv4.multicastGroups = “224.0.0.1”

*.host3.interfaceTable.interface[0].ipv4.multicastGroups = “224.0.0.1”

Above example, all three hosts are members of the multicast group with the address 224.0.0.1.

  1. Configure Multicast Sources:
    • Specify which node will act as the source of multicast traffic.

Example:

*.host1.numApps = 1

*.host1.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.host1.app[0].destAddress = “224.0.0.1”  # Multicast group address

*.host1.app[0].destPort = 5000

*.host1.app[0].messageLength = 1024B

*.host1.app[0].sendInterval = uniform(1s, 2s)

In this example, host1 sends UDP packets to the multicast group 224.0.0.1.

Step 5: Set Up the Simulation

  1. Configure the Simulation in omnetpp.ini:
    • Set up the simulation parameters, like network settings, traffic patterns and simulation time.
  2. Traffic Configuration:
    • Set up application-level traffic, like to test the multicast routing and to sending data to the multicast group.

Step 6: Run the Simulation

  1. Compile the Project:
    • Make sure everything is correctly implemented and compiled.
  2. Run Simulations:
    • Perform the simulations using OMNeT++’s IDE or command line. Observe the behaviour of the multicast routing protocol, especially how multicast data is delivered to all group members.

Step 7: Analyze the Results

  1. Monitor Multicast Traffic:
    • Calculate how multicast traffic is distributed across the network, make sure that all group members receive the data.
  2. Evaluate Protocol Performance:
    • Analyse key performance metrics like network load, delay and packet delivery ratio.
    • Scalars and Vectors: To record and analyse scalar and vector data, like the number of multicast packets sent and received, and the delay experienced by the multicast traffic by using  OMNeT++ tools
  3. Check for Issues:
    • Check for issues like packet loss, excessive delay or incorrect routing that might show problems with the multicast configuration.

Step 8: Refine and Optimize the Protocol

  1. Address Any Issues:
    • If the simulation exposes issues with multicast traffic, let adjusting the multicast routing protocol parameters or optimizing the network topology.
  2. Optimize for Performance:
    • Modify parameters like routing table configurations or multicast group memberships to expand performance under altered network conditions.
  3. Re-Test:
    • To prove improvements when run the simulation again with the optimized protocol.

Therefore, we had clearly exposed how to make a network topology, to execute multicast routing using by multicast protocols in the tool OMNeT++. We will deliver the materials about Multicast routing in other tools.

Stay connected with us for the latest simulation results on multicast routing using the OMNeT++ tool for your projects. We’re excited to share fresh project ideas along with performance analysis support in this field.