How to Implement Virtualized Security in OMNeT++

To implement virtualized security in OMNeT++ has needs to emulate the security mechanisms within a virtualized network setting. The term “Virtualized security” is usually defined to implement the security policies, controls, and mechanisms within a virtualized infrastructure like virtual machines (VMs), containers, or software-defined networks (SDN).. We at omnet-manual.com provide top-notch guidance and help with setting up Virtualized Security in the OMNeT++ application. You can also get a performance comparison for your project from us. In OMNeT++, we need to design these components and emulate how security mechanisms operate within them.

Steps to Implement Virtualized Security in OMNeT++

1. Define the Virtualized Environment:
   • We need to design the virtualized setting that will host the security mechanisms and this includes to generating modules to denotes virtual machines (VMs), containers, or SDN components such as virtual switches and controllers.

simple VMModule

{

parameters:

@display(“i=block/cloud”);

gates:

inout ethg;

}

simple SDNControllerModule

{

parameters:

@display(“i=block/control”);

gates:

inout controlGate;

}

1. Model Virtualized Network Infrastructure:
   • Generate the virtual network infrastructure where VMs or containers are connected via virtual switches or SDN components.

network VirtualizedNetwork

{

submodules:

vm1: VMModule;

vm2: VMModule;

sdnController: SDNControllerModule;

virtualSwitch: EthernetSwitch;  // Assuming you’re using a predefined Ethernet switch module

connections:

vm1.ethg <–> virtualSwitch.ethg[0];

vm2.ethg <–> virtualSwitch.ethg[1];

sdnController.controlGate <–> virtualSwitch.controlGate;

}

1. Implement Security Mechanisms:
   • Firewall: we need to execute a virtual firewall within a VM or as part of the SDN controller. The firewall will examines the packets and apply security policies based on predefined rules.

simple FirewallModule

{

parameters:

string ruleSet = default(“”);  // Firewall rules as a parameter

gates:

inout ethg;

}

network SecureVMNetwork

{

submodules:

firewall: FirewallModule;

vm: VMModule;

virtualSwitch: EthernetSwitch;

connections:

vm.ethg <–> firewall.ethg;

firewall.ethg <–> virtualSwitch.ethg[0];

}

1. • Intrusion Detection System (IDS): we need to mimic IDS that track network traffic and identifies suspicious activities within the virtualized setting. The IDS could be a module that receives a copy of the traffic and evaluates it.

simple IDSModule

{

parameters:

@display(“i=block/shield”);

gates:

inout monitorGate;

}

network IDSNetwork

{

submodules:

ids: IDSModule;

vm: VMModule;

virtualSwitch: EthernetSwitch;

connections:

vm.ethg <–> virtualSwitch.ethg[0];

virtualSwitch.ethg[1] –> ids.monitorGate;  // Mirror traffic to IDS

}

1. • Encryption: we need to design encryption mechanisms within the VMs or SDN controllers and involves implementing encryption techniques to the information being transmitted.

simple EncryptionModule

{

parameters:

string algorithm = default(“AES”);  // Specify encryption algorithm

gates:

inout ethg;

}

network EncryptedNetwork

{

submodules:

encryption: EncryptionModule;

vm: VMModule;

virtualSwitch: EthernetSwitch;

connections:

vm.ethg <–> encryption.ethg;

encryption.ethg <–> virtualSwitch.ethg[0];

}

1. Simulate and Analyse Security Events:
   • During the simulation, we need to mimic several network events like attacks, unauthorized access attempts, or traffic monitoring. The security modules should identify, blocks, or prevents these events as per their design.
   • We can log the actions taken by the security modules, like dropping packets in the firewall, raising alerts in the IDS, or encrypting/decrypting data.

class FirewallModule : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override {

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket*>(msg);

// Example firewall logic

if (isAuthorized(pkt)) {

send(pkt, “ethg$o”);

} else {

EV << “Packet dropped by firewall: ” << pkt->getName() << endl;

delete pkt;

}

}

bool isAuthorized(cPacket *pkt) {

// Implement rule-based authorization logic

return true;  // Example: Allow all for simplicity

}

};

class IDSModule : public cSimpleModule {

protected:

virtual void handleMessage(cMessage *msg) override {

cPacket *pkt = check_and_cast<cPacket*>(msg);

if (detectIntrusion(pkt)) {

EV << “Intrusion detected: ” << pkt->getName() << endl;

raiseAlert(pkt);

}

delete pkt;

}

bool detectIntrusion(cPacket *pkt) {

// Implement IDS logic

return false;  // Example: No intrusion detected

}

void raiseAlert(cPacket *pkt) {

// Implement alert mechanism

}

};

1. Record and Analyse Security Metrics:
   • During the simulation, record key metrics like the number of blocked packets, detected intrusions, and encrypted/decrypted data. Use OMNeT++’s recordScalar or recordStatistic functions to log these metrics.

int blockedPackets = 0;

void onPacketBlocked() {

blockedPackets++;

recordScalar(“Blocked Packets”, blockedPackets);

}

Example Scenario: Virtualized Security in a Cloud Environment

In a cloud computing scenario, we might want to mimic a virtualized environment where multiple VMs execute on a single physical host. We execute the firewalls within each VM, IDS at the network level, and encryption among the VMs. During the simulation, we emulate attacks like port scanning, unauthorized access and monitor how the virtualized security mechanisms respond.

We demonstrate the complete procedures to execute the virtualized security using the OMNET++ that provides to secure the network environment. If you need more information regarding the virtualized security we will provide that too.