How to Implement Storage Area Networks in OMNeT++

To implement the Storage Area Network (SAN) in OMNeT++ has needs to emulate the network that offers access to associated, block-level data storage and this is completed by INET framework with custom modules to denote the storage devices and the essential protocols. The given below are the detailed procedures on how to implement the storage area network in OMNet++:

Step-by-Step Implementation:

1. Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

1. Install OMNeT++:
   • Download and install OMNeT++.
2. Install INET Framework:
   • Download and install the INET framework, which delivers models for network protocols and devices.
   • Unzip the INET framework into the OMNeT++ workspace.
   • Open OMNeT++ IDE, import the INET project, and build it.

2. Design the SAN Architecture

1. Define the Network Structure:
   • Classify the modules of SAN, like storage servers (targets), initiators (clients), and network devices such as switches, routers.
   • Regulate the communication protocols and data flow among these components.
2. Create the Network Nodes:
   • Extend existing INET nodes or generate new ones for vague components such as storage servers, initiators.
   • Describe the parameters and properties of these nodes like storage capacity, processing capabilities, network interfaces.

3. Develop the Simulation Modules

1. Storage Server Module:
   • Generate a new module or extend an existing one for storage servers.
   • Apply the functionalities like data storage, retrieval, and communication with initiators.
2. Initiator Module:
   • Describe a module to denote initiators that request data from storage servers.
   • To execute functionalities like data requests, processing, and communication with storage servers.
3. Network Device Module:
   • Generate or extend a module for network devices like switches, routers that achieve data flow inside the SAN.
   • To execute functionalities like packet switching, routing, and QoS management.

4. Implement Communication Protocols

1. Define Communication Interfaces:
   • Describe the interfaces for communication among initiators, storage servers, and network devices.
   • To execute data exchange mechanisms using INET’s message-passing system.
2. Simulate Network Traffic:
   • Generate traffic generators to emulate data requests and responses among initiators and storage servers.
   • Implement techniques for data routing, load balancing, and error handling.

5. Configure the Simulation

1. Network Configuration File (NED):
   • Compose NED files to describe the network topology and configuration.
   • Specify the types and connections of nodes in the network.
2. Simulation Configuration File (INI):
   • Create INI files to particularly emulate the performance metrics like simulation time, node properties, traffic generation rates, and logging options.
   • Configure numerous scenarios to measure the performance of SAN implementation.

6. Run and Analyse the Simulation

1. Run the Simulation:
   • Use the OMNeT++ IDE to compile and run the simulation.
   • Monitor the simulation for any errors or unexpected behavior.
2. Collect and Analyze Results:
   • Use OMNeT++’s built-in analysis tools to collect simulation data.
   • Analyse metrics like data rate, latency, packet loss, and storage performance to evaluate the performance of SAN implementation.

Example Code Snippets

The given below is the sample snippets of what the configuration files might look like:

NED File (SANetwork.ned)

package sanetwork;

import inet.node.inet.Router;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.ethernet.EtherSwitch;

network SANetwork {

parameters:

int numStorageServers = default(2);

int numInitiators = default(4);

int numSwitches = default(3);

submodules:

storageServer[numStorageServers]: StandardHost {

@display(“p=200,200;i=device/server”);

}

initiator[numInitiators]: StandardHost {

@display(“p=400,400;i=device/laptop”);

}

switch[numSwitches]: EtherSwitch {

@display(“p=300,300;i=device/switch”);

}

connections:

// Connect switches to form the backbone

for i=0..numSwitches-2 {

switch[i].ethg++ <–> switch[i+1].ethg++;

}

switch[numSwitches-1].ethg++ <–> switch[0].ethg++;

// Connect storage servers to switches

for i=0..numStorageServers-1 {

storageServer[i].ethg++ <–> switch[i % numSwitches].ethg++;

}

// Connect initiators to switches

for i=0..numInitiators-1 {

initiator[i].ethg++ <–> switch[i % numSwitches].ethg++;

}

}

INI File (omnetpp.ini)

network = sanetwork.SANetwork

sim-time-limit = 1000s

*.storageServer*.eth[0].bitrate = 10Gbps

*.initiator*.eth[0].bitrate = 1Gbps

*.switch*.eth[*].bitrate = 10Gbps

*.initiator*.numApps = 1

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

*.initiator*.app[0].destAddresses = “storageServer[*]”

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

*.initiator*.app[0].messageLength = 1000B

*.initiator*.app[0].sendInterval = exponential(1s)

*.storageServer*.numApps = 1

*.storageServer*.app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

*.storageServer*.app[0].localPort = 5000

From the above script, we clearly provided the procedures, snippets to execute the storage area network in the network that were analysed in OMNet++. If you need any other information regarding the storage area network we will provide it.

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