How to Implement Network Management in OMNeT++
To implement the network management within OMNeT++ has comprises making a system that can monitor, control, and handle the network resources, performance, and configurations. This management normally contains functions like security management, performance management, fault management, and configuration management. Given below is a step-by-step process to implement a basic network management system in OMNeT++:
Step-by-Step Implementations:
- Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework
- Make certain that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and configured appropriately.
- Generate a new project in OMNeT++ and consist of the INET framework, which affords the required modules for mimicking several network elements.
- Design the Network Topology
- Describe the network topology using a .ned file. This would comprise the network devices we need to manage like routers, switches, hosts and the management node such as a Network Management System (NMS).
Example .ned file:
network ManagedNetwork {
submodules:
nms: StandardHost { // Network Management System
@display(“p=100,50”);
}
router1: Router {
@display(“p=200,100”);
}
router2: Router {
@display(“p=300,100”);
}
host1: StandardHost {
@display(“p=200,200”);
}
host2: StandardHost {
@display(“p=300,200”);
}
connections:
nms.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> router1.pppg++;
router1.pppg++ <–> Ethernet10G <–> router2.pppg++;
host1.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> router1.pppg++;
host2.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> router2.pppg++;
}
In this topology, the nms node performances as the Network Management System, which will handle and observe the other devices in the network.
- Implement Management Agents
- Execute management agents on the network devices like routers, switches that report their status and accept control commands from the NMS.
Example of a simple management agent:
class ManagementAgent : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void reportStatus();
};
void ManagementAgent::initialize()
{
scheduleAt(simTime() + 1, new cMessage(“statusReport”));
}
void ManagementAgent::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “statusReport”) == 0) {
reportStatus();
scheduleAt(simTime() + 10, msg); // Report status every 10 seconds
}
else if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “controlCommand”) == 0) {
// Handle control commands from NMS
EV << “Received control command” << endl;
// Implement specific control actions here
}
}
void ManagementAgent::reportStatus()
{
// Simulate status report
cMessage *statusMsg = new cMessage(“statusUpdate”);
statusMsg->addPar(“nodeName”) = getParentModule()->getFullName();
statusMsg->addPar(“status”) = “OK”; // Example status
send(statusMsg, “out”); // Send status to NMS
}
This agent states the status of its node every 10 seconds to the NMS and can react to control commands.
- Implement the Network Management System (NMS)
- Implement the NMS, which gets status reports from management agents and transmits control commands as required.
Example implementation of a basic NMS:
class NetworkManagementSystem : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void initialize() override;
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void processStatusUpdate(cMessage *msg);
};
void NetworkManagementSystem::initialize()
{
// Initialization code
}
void NetworkManagementSystem::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
if (strcmp(msg->getName(), “statusUpdate”) == 0) {
processStatusUpdate(msg);
}
delete msg;
}
void NetworkManagementSystem::processStatusUpdate(cMessage *msg)
{
std::string nodeName = msg->par(“nodeName”).stringValue();
std::string status = msg->par(“status”).stringValue();
EV << “Received status update from ” << nodeName << “: ” << status << endl;
// Example: If status is not OK, send a control command
if (status != “OK”) {
cMessage *controlMsg = new cMessage(“controlCommand”);
send(controlMsg, “out”, getIndexForNode(nodeName)); // Send command to the specific node
}
}
int NetworkManagementSystem::getIndexForNode(const std::string &nodeName)
{
// Map node names to connection indices (this depends on the network setup)
if (nodeName == “router1”) return 0;
else if (nodeName == “router2”) return 1;
// Add more mappings as necessary
return -1; // Default case
}
This NMS module gets status updates, logs them, and can send control commands if needed.
- Configure the Simulation
- Form the simulation in the .ini file, identifying which nodes run the management agents and the NMS.
Example .ini file:
[Config NetworkManagement]
network = ManagedNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
*.router1.numApps = 1
*.router1.app[0].typename = “ManagementAgent”
*.router2.numApps = 1
*.router2.app[0].typename = “ManagementAgent”
*.nms.numApps = 1
*.nms.app[0].typename = “NetworkManagementSystem”
This formation sets up the network with router1 and router2 running the ManagementAgent, and the nms running the NetworkManagementSystem.
- Run the Simulation
- Perform the simulation in OMNeT++ to monitor how the network management system operates. Observes the interactions among the NMS and the managed devices.
- To visualize the communication using OMNeT++’s tools and control flows among the NMS and the network devices.
- Analyse the Results
- After running the simulation, evaluate the performance of the network management system. Important metrics might comprise the duration to detect and respond to network issues, the efficiency of control commands, and the complete network performance.
- For further evaluation, using OMNeT++’s built-in analysis tools or transfer the data.
- Extend and Improve
- Expand the network management system by inserting more sophisticated management functions like real-time performance monitoring, dynamic configuration adjustments, and automated fault detection and recovery.
- Execute further management features, like security management for instance detecting and responding to security incidents, configuration backups, and performance optimization.
Throughout this setup, we are showed simple procedure to implement and analyse the Network Management using OMNeT++ and also we will give further details as per your needs. If you want to keep the simulation running smoothly in Network Management, you can count on our help. Just send us the details of your project, and we’ll assist you further.