How to implement static routing in OMNeT++

To implement static routing in OMNeT++ has needs to generate the network where the routing paths are physically simulated and it doesn’t change unless explicitly modified. The term Static routing is straightforward to execute and is usually used in simple or small networks where routes can’t change regularly. The steps were help to execute the static routing in OMNeT++ using the INET framework:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1: Set Up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

Install OMNeT++:
- Make sure OMNeT++ is installed on system. We need to download it from the OMNeT++
Install the INET Framework:
- Download and install the INET Framework, which offers several networking protocols and models. INET can be downloaded from the INET GitHub repository.

Step 2: Create a New OMNeT++ Project

Create the Project:
- Open OMNeT++ and generate a new OMNeT++ project through File > New > OMNeT++ Project.
- Name project like StaticRoutingSimulation and set up the project directory.
Set Up Project Dependencies:
- Make sure project references the INET Framework by right-clicking on project in the Project Explorer, navigating to Properties > Project References, and checking the INET project.

Step 3: Define the Network Topology

Create a NED File:
- Describe network topology using the NED language. This topology will contain nodes or routers that will use static routing.

Example:

network StaticRoutingNetwork

{

submodules:

router1: Router;

router2: Router;

router3: Router;

router4: Router;

connections:

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

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

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

}

Configure Network Parameters:
- Set up necessary link metrics that includes bandwidth, delay, and packet loss to mimic the realistic network environment.

Step 4: Configure Static Routing

Set Up Static Routes:
- Simulate the static routes in each router by particularly the routing table entries manually in the omnetpp.ini file. We must use the INET Framework’s IPv4RoutingTable module.

Example:

network = StaticRoutingNetwork

sim-time-limit = 100s

**.scalar-recording = true

**.vector-recording = true

# Static routes for router1

*.router1.routingTable.routes = [

{destination=”192.168.2.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.1.2″, interface=”eth0″},

{destination=”192.168.3.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.1.2″, interface=”eth0″}

]

# Static routes for router2

*.router2.routingTable.routes = [

{destination=”192.168.1.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.2.1″, interface=”eth0″},

{destination=”192.168.3.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.2.3″, interface=”eth0″}

]

# Static routes for router3

*.router3.routingTable.routes = [

{destination=”192.168.1.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.2.2″, interface=”eth0″},

{destination=”192.168.4.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.3.4″, interface=”eth0″}

]

# Static routes for router4

*.router4.routingTable.routes = [

{destination=”192.168.1.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.3.3″, interface=”eth0″},

{destination=”192.168.2.0″, netmask=”255.255.255.0″, gateway=”192.168.3.3″, interface=”eth0″}

]

- Destination: The destination network address.
- Netmask: The subnet mask that applies to the destination network.
- Gateway: The next-hop IP address to which packets should be forwarded.
- Interface: The network interface through which packets should be sent.
Assign IP Addresses:
- Assign IP addresses to each router’s interfaces and it completed in the omnetpp.ini file.

Example:

# IP address configuration for router1

*.router1.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.address = “192.168.1.1”

*.router1.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”

# IP address configuration for router2

*.router2.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.address = “192.168.2.1”

*.router2.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”

# IP address configuration for router3

*.router3.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.address = “192.168.2.2”

*.router3.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”

# IP address configuration for router4

*.router4.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.address = “192.168.3.1”

*.router4.interfaceTable.interfaces[0].ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”

Step 5: Set Up the Simulation

Configure Traffic Patterns:
- Set up application-level traffic among nodes to make network activity and test static routing.

Example:

*.router1.numApps = 1

*.router1.app[0].typename = “UdpBasicApp”

*.router1.app[0].destAddress = “192.168.4.1”

*.router1.app[0].destPort = 5000

*.router1.app[0].messageLength = 1024B

*.router1.app[0].sendInterval = uniform(1s, 2s)

Run the Simulation:
- Compile the project and executethe simulation in OMNeT++. monitor how packets are routed via the network based on the static routing tables.

Step 6: Analyse the Results

Monitor Traffic Flow:
- Check if the traffic is properly routed according to the static routes we defined. Use OMNeT++’s built-in tools to observe the flow of packets among routers.
Evaluate Performance:
- Measure key performance metrics like latency, throughput, and packet loss. Static routing should provide stable routing paths, with performance metrics being consistent across runs.
Scalars and Vectors:
- Use OMNeT++ tools to record and measure scalar and vector data, like the number of packets sent/received and the end-to-end delay.

Step 7: Refine and Optimize (Optional)

Optimize Routing Tables:
- If necessary, adjust the static routes to optimize traffic flow. This could contain tweaking the gateway or interface selections.
Troubleshoot Issues:
- If you encounter any routing challenges then, double-check the IP addressing and routing table configurations.

From the above setup, we can clearly see the implementation process and how it emulates the network simulation in the simple or small network using the static routing in OMNeT++ tool. If you need more information about this protocol we will support and provide it. Our developers can provide you with guidance on implementing static routing in the OMNeT++ tool, including project topics and execution steps. Please share your project details with us, and we will assist you further. We specialize in static routing to develop simple or small networks, ensuring you achieve excellent results for your projects.