How to Implement Switched Mesh Topology in OMNeT++

To implement a switched mesh topology in OMNeT++ has encompasses to generate a network where multiple switches connect diverse nodes (hosts) that establishing a mesh of interconnected switches and this topology is commonly used in data centres or enterprise networks to make sure the redundancy and load balancing, as there are multiple paths among any two nodes.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

1. Set up OMNeT++ and INET Framework

• Make sure that OMNeT++ and the INET framework are installed and properly configured. The INET framework offers the required modules for mimicking several network topologies has contain switched networks.

2. Define the Switched Mesh Topology in a NED File

• Generate a .ned file to describe the network topology. In a switched mesh topology, each switch links to multiple other switches and hosts, forming a mesh.

Example: A Switched Mesh Topology with 3 Switches and 6 Hosts

package switchedMeshTopologyExample;

import inet.node.inet.StandardHost;

import inet.node.ethernet.EtherSwitch;

network SwitchedMeshTopology

{

parameters:

int numSwitches = default(3);  // Number of switches in the mesh

int numHostsPerSwitch = default(2);  // Number of hosts per switch

submodules:

switch[numSwitches]: EtherSwitch {

parameters:

@display(“p=200+300*i,200”);

}

host[numSwitches][numHostsPerSwitch]: StandardHost {

parameters:

@display(“p=200+100*j+300*i,400”);

}

connections allowunconnected:

// Connect each switch to every other switch (mesh connection)

for i=0..numSwitches-2 {

for j=i+1..numSwitches-1 {

switch[i].ethg++ <–> EtherChannel <–> switch[j].ethg++;

}

}

// Connect hosts to their respective switches

for i=0..numSwitches-1 {

for j=0..numHostsPerSwitch-1 {

host[i][j].ethg++ <–> EtherChannel <–> switch[i].ethg++;

}

}

}

• EtherSwitch: Represents the network switch in the mesh topology.
• StandardHost: Represents the end devices (hosts) connected to the switches.
• Connections: Switches are interconnected to form a mesh, and each switch connects to multiple hosts.

3. Configure the Nodes in OMNeT++ INI File

• In the omnetpp.ini file, configure the properties of the nodes like IP addresses, routing, and the applications they will run.

Example:

network = switchedMeshTopologyExample.SwitchedMeshTopology

# Configure IP addresses for the hosts

*.host[*][*].ipv4.arp.typename = “GlobalArp”

*.host[*][*].eth[0].ipv4.address = “10.0.x.y”

*.host[*][*].eth[0].ipv4.netmask = “255.255.255.0”

# Example application setup: host[0][0] communicates with host[2][1]

*.host[0][0].numApps = 1

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

*.host[0][0].app[0].destAddresses = “10.0.2.2”  # IP address of host[2][1]

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

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

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

*.host[2][1].numApps = 1

*.host[2][1].app[0].typename = “UdpSink”

*.host[2][1].app[0].localPort = 5000

• IP Addressing: Assign IP addresses to each host in the network.
• Applications: Configure applications on the hosts to emulate network traffic.

4. Implement Routing and Switching Logic

• Spanning Tree Protocol (STP): In a switched mesh topology, we need to execute or configure the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) to mitigate loops and make sure that there is only one active path among any two nodes.
• Load Balancing: To execute load balancing approches, so that traffic is distributed across multiple paths in the mesh.
• Custom STP Implementation: If needed, we need to develop a custom STP module or use an existing one that emulates the characteristics of STP.

Example: Enabling STP in a switch

*.switch[*].hasStp = true

• This configuration enables STP on all switches in the mesh.

5. Run the Simulation

• After setting up the network topology and configuration compile and run the simulation in OMNeT++. Monitor how traffic flows among hosts through the switches, and how the mesh topology manages network traffic.

6. Analyze the Results

• Use OMNeT++’s built-in tools to visualize and evaluate the network traffic. Investigate how data is transferred among hosts, how the switches handle traffic, and how network performance scales as more hosts and switches are added.

7. Enhancements and Variations

• Scalability Testing: Increase the number of switches and hosts to validate the scalability of the switched mesh topology. Evaluate how the network handles increased traffic and node density.
• Failure Scenarios: Introduce switch or link failures to see how the network performs in a mesh topology and how robust it is to disturbances.
• Advanced Routing: To execute advanced routing protocols or algorithms to enhance data flow in the mesh topology.

Example Files

1. SwitchedMeshTopology.ned: Describes the switched mesh topology.
2. omnetpp.ini: Contains configuration settings for the simulation.

As we discussed earlier about how the switched mesh topology will perform in OMNeT++ tool and we aid to deliver additional information about how the switched mesh topology will adapt in different settings.

Find top project ideas and topics on Switched Mesh Topology in OMNeT++. The implementation of Switched Mesh Topology in OMNeT++ is done by omnet-manual.com. We offer excellent simulation results and clear explanations for your projects. Our developers focus on a network of connected switches and the topology associated with Switched Mesh Topology in OMNeT++.