How to Implement Network Slicing in OMNeT++

To implement the Network Slicing in OMNeT++, we have to simulate a situation in which the individual physical network is break down into several virtual networks, each tailored to meet particular service requirements. These slicing is a key concepts in 5G networks where various slices can be sets up to help different kinds of services like enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC). Here, we delivered the structured procedure to implement this in OMNeT++:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

Make certain that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and correctly configured.
Develop a new project in OMNeT++ and contain the INET framework that offers the essential network modules and tools.

Design the Network Topology

Start by building the network topology in .ned file. It contains nodes like User Equipment (UE), base stations, core network elements, and routers that will support multiple slices.

Example .ned file:

network SlicingNetwork {

submodules:

ue1: StandardHost {

@display(“p=100,200”);

}

ue2: StandardHost {

@display(“p=100,300”);

}

ue3: StandardHost {

@display(“p=100,400”);

}

baseStation: StandardHost {

@display(“p=300,300”);

}

coreNetwork: Router {

@display(“p=500,300”);

}

internet: StandardHost {

@display(“p=700,300”);

}

connections:

ue1.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> baseStation.ethg++;

ue2.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> baseStation.ethg++;

ue3.ethg++ <–> Ethernet100M <–> baseStation.ethg++;

baseStation.ethg++ <–> Ethernet1G <–> coreNetwork.pppg++;

coreNetwork.pppg++ <–> Ethernet1G <–> internet.ethg++;

}

This network has several User Equipment (UE) devices linked to a base station, which in turn connects to a core network router and the internet.

Define Network Slices

Configure the various virtual networks inside the same physical infrastructure to generate a numerous slices. Each slice can have its own configuration like bandwidth allotment, priority, and routing rules.

Example of defining network slices:

[Config SlicingNetwork]

network = SlicingNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

# Define Slice 1 (eMBB – High bandwidth, lower priority)

*.ue1.eth[0].queue.typename = “DropTailQueue”

*.ue1.eth[0].queue.packetCapacity = 100

*.ue1.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 100

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.typename = “PriorityQueue”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.numQueues = 3

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 100

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.packetClassifier.function = “classifyByApp”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.priority = 2

# Define Slice 2 (URLLC – Low latency, high priority)

*.ue2.eth[0].queue.typename = “DropTailQueue”

*.ue2.eth[0].queue.packetCapacity = 50

*.ue2.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 50

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.typename = “PriorityQueue”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.numQueues = 3

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 50

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.packetClassifier.function = “classifyByApp”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.priority = 1

# Define Slice 3 (mMTC – High capacity, moderate priority)

*.ue3.eth[0].queue.typename = “DropTailQueue”

*.ue3.eth[0].queue.packetCapacity = 200

*.ue3.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 200

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.typename = “PriorityQueue”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.numQueues = 3

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 200

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.packetClassifier.function = “classifyByApp”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.priority = 3

In this sample:

Slice 1 (eMBB) is configured for high bandwidth and lower priority.
Slice 2 (URLLC) is configured for low latency and high priority.
Slice 3 (mMTC) is configured for high capacity with moderate priority.

Implement Traffic Generation for Each Slice

Create traffic for each slice that corresponds to its intended use case. For example, eMBB traffic could be large data transfers, URLLC could be time-sensitive control messages, and mMTC could be small, periodic IoT messages.

Example of traffic generation:

*.ue1.numApps = 1

*.ue1.app[0].typename = “TcpBasicClientApp”

*.ue1.app[0].connectAddress = “internet”

*.ue1.app[0].connectPort = 80

*.ue1.app[0].sendInterval = 1s

*.ue1.app[0].messageLength = 5000B

*.ue2.numApps = 1

*.ue2.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.ue2.app[0].destAddress = “internet”

*.ue2.app[0].destPort = 1234

*.ue2.app[0].sendInterval = 100ms

*.ue2.app[0].messageLength = 500B

*.ue3.numApps = 1

*.ue3.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.ue3.app[0].destAddress = “internet”

*.ue3.app[0].destPort = 1234

*.ue3.app[0].sendInterval = 10s

*.ue3.app[0].messageLength = 200B

This set up creates various kinds of traffic for all slice:

UE1 (eMBB) causes large data transfers.
UE2 (URLLC) produces frequent small messages with low latency.
UE3 (mMTC) generates infrequent small messages.

Configure and Enforce Slicing Policies

Make certain that traffic is managed based on the requirement of each slice by executing slicing policies at the base station and core network.

Example of enforcing slicing policies:

# Enforce bandwidth limits and priority at the base station

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.typename = “WeightedFairQueue”

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.numQueues = 3

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.weights = “3 2 1” # Assign weights to the queues

*.baseStation.eth[0].queue.queueLength = 300

This configuration enforces weighted fair queuing (WFQ) at the base station, making certain that each slice gets its assigned share of the bandwidth depends on its priority.

Run the Simulation

Implement the simulation in OMNeT++ to monitor how the various network slices operate. Observe the performance of each slice as well as throughput, latency, and packet loss.
Visualize the traffic flow, investigate how resource are assigned to each slice by using OMNeT++’s built-in tools and assess whether the service requirement are being met.

Analyze the Results

Assess the efficiency of the network slicing configuration after running the simulation. Key metrics to monitor include the performance of each slice (throughput, latency, packet loss), resource utilization, and how well the slicing policies are enforced.
Analyze whether the network slices meet their envisioned service requirements (example: low latency for URLLC, high bandwidth for eMBB).

Optimize and Extend

Depends on the analysis, refine the slicing policies to better meet the service requirements. This might involve modifying the bandwidth allocations, varying the queueing strategies, or altering the traffic generation models.
Consider extending the simulation to contain more difficult scenarios like dynamic slicing (where resources are reallocated based on current network conditions), attaching more slices, or simulating mobility (e.g., users moving amongst various base stations).
Execute additional features like slice isolation, where each slice is insulated from others to prevent intervention.

In this demonstration, we presented the step-by-step guide on how to implement network slicing in OMNeT++ with the help of INET framework that provides necessary modules and tools and then enforcing slicing policies into the simulated network. If you need any extra details on network slicing, we will offer it. Connect with omnet-manual.com to receive optimal implementation assistance regarding Network Slicing and to explore additional project concepts.