How to Implement Network Traffic Offloading in OMNeT++
To implement network traffic offloading in OMNeT++ has encompasses to generate a emulation where traffic from a primary network like a cellular network is offloaded to an alternative network such as Wi-Fi to balance the load, enhance user experience, and minimize congestion on the primary network. This is specifically relevant in scenarios such as 5G networks, where offloading traffic to Wi-Fi or other networks can support to handle network resources more efficiently. The given below are the steps to execute the network traffic offloading in OMNeT++ with examples:
Step-by-Step Implementation:
Step 1: Set Up the OMNeT++ Environment
Make sure that OMNeT++ and the essential libraries, like INET or Simu5G (if dealing with 5G), are installed and configured correctly.
Step 2: Define Network Components
State the essential network components, like cellular base stations, Wi-Fi access points, and user equipment (UE). Each component should be capable of managing the traffic offloading.
Example Network Components Definition
// Cellular Base Station (gNB for 5G or eNB for LTE)
module CellularBaseStation
{
gates:
inout wireless;
inout control;
}
// Wi-Fi Access Point (AP)
module WiFiAccessPoint
{
gates:
inout wireless;
inout control;
}
// User Equipment (UE)
module UserEquipment
{
gates:
inout wirelessCellular;
inout wirelessWiFi;
}
Step 3: Create the Network Scenario
Describe a network scenario where UEs starts connect to a cellular base station but can offload their traffic to a Wi-Fi access point when the particular conditions are met like congestion on the cellular network, availability of Wi-Fi.
Example Network Scenario Definition
network TrafficOffloadingNetwork
{
submodules:
gnb: CellularBaseStation;
wifiAP: WiFiAccessPoint;
ue1: UserEquipment;
ue2: UserEquipment;
connections allowunconnected:
// Cellular connections
ue1.wirelessCellular <–> IdealWirelessLink <–> gnb.wireless;
ue2.wirelessCellular <–> IdealWirelessLink <–> gnb.wireless;
// Wi-Fi connections
ue1.wirelessWiFi <–> IdealWirelessLink <–> wifiAP.wireless;
ue2.wirelessWiFi <–> IdealWirelessLink <–> wifiAP.wireless;
}
Step 4: Implement Traffic Offloading Logic
Traffic offloading logic has includes to monitoring the network conditions and deciding when to offload traffic from the cellular network to the Wi-Fi network. This logic can be executed in the UE or a centralized controller.
Example Traffic Offloading Logic (Simplified)
class UserEquipment : public cSimpleModule
{
protected:
virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override;
void checkNetworkConditions();
void offloadTrafficToWiFi();
void revertTrafficToCellular();
private:
bool isOffloaded = false;
double cellularLoadThreshold = 0.8; // Threshold to trigger offloading
double wifiLoadThreshold = 0.5; // Threshold to revert to cellular
};
void UserEquipment::handleMessage(cMessage *msg)
{
checkNetworkConditions();
send(msg, “out”);
}
void UserEquipment::checkNetworkConditions()
{
double cellularLoad = par(“cellularLoad”).doubleValue();
double wifiLoad = par(“wifiLoad”).doubleValue();
if (!isOffloaded && cellularLoad > cellularLoadThreshold)
{
offloadTrafficToWiFi();
}
else if (isOffloaded && wifiLoad > wifiLoadThreshold)
{
revertTrafficToCellular();
}
}
void UserEquipment::offloadTrafficToWiFi()
{
EV << “Offloading traffic to Wi-Fi” << endl;
isOffloaded = true;
// Logic to switch traffic from cellular to Wi-Fi
}
void UserEquipment::revertTrafficToCellular()
{
EV << “Reverting traffic to Cellular” << endl;
isOffloaded = false;
// Logic to switch traffic back to Cellular
}
Step 5: Configure the Simulation Parameters
Setup the simulation parameters in the .ini file, like the data rates, traffic generation rates, and thresholds for activating traffic offloading.
Example Configuration in the .ini File
network = TrafficOffloadingNetwork
sim-time-limit = 100s
# Define data rates
*.gnb.wireless.datarate = 100Mbps
*.wifiAP.wireless.datarate = 300Mbps
*.ue*.wirelessCellular.datarate = 100Mbps
*.ue*.wirelessWiFi.datarate = 300Mbps
# Traffic generation parameters
*.ue1.numApps = 1
*.ue1.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.ue1.app[0].destAddress = “10.0.0.2” # Assuming the core network is at this address
*.ue1.app[0].destPort = 5000
*.ue1.app[0].messageLength = 1024B
*.ue1.app[0].sendInterval = exponential(1s)
*.ue2.numApps = 1
*.ue2.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”
*.ue2.app[0].destAddress = “10.0.0.2”
*.ue2.app[0].destPort = 5000
*.ue2.app[0].messageLength = 1024B
*.ue2.app[0].sendInterval = exponential(1s)
# Load thresholds to trigger traffic offloading
*.ue1.cellularLoad = 0.9
*.ue1.wifiLoad = 0.3
*.ue2.cellularLoad = 0.85
*.ue2.wifiLoad = 0.4
Step 6: Run the Simulation
Compile and execute the simulation. Monitor how the UEs offload traffic from the cellular network to the Wi-Fi network based on the defined conditions, and how traffic flows are managed among the two networks.
Step 7: Analyse the Results
Use OMNeT++’s analysis tools to assess the performance of the traffic offloading mechanism. Evaluate the parameters like throughput, latency, and network load to measure the efficiency of the offloading strategy.
Step 8: Extend the Simulation (Optional)
We can expand the simulation by adding more complex offloading techniques that establish mobility like UEs moving among various cells or Wi-Fi coverage areas, or emulating different kinds of network scenarios like congested networks, variable traffic patterns.
In this page, we know how to execute and validate the outcomes for network traffic offloading by using the OMNeT++ tool that effectively manage the network resources. We will plan to extend the information how the network offloading performs in other simulation tool.
Our team will help you through every part of your project by providing a detailed analysis of network simulation performance. Our guidance will be extensive. The results of Network Traffic Offloading using the OMNeT++ tool are supported by the developers at omnet-manual.com, and we offer personalized services just for you. You can run simulations on Wi-Fi to manage the load better, improve user experience, and reduce congestion for your projects.