Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Contact Information
Wao Wamola
Email:ericwao@gmail.com
Abstract
Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) is an emerging technology. It is highly supported by the fourth
and fifth generation networks. Its vital element is in its assurance to offer high internet connection speeds
with minimal delays. This paper analyses the link utilization between two networks of Wireless Sensor
Node (WSN), having 6LoWPAN as the end-to-end connection nodes. The networks are designed with
one using the MPLS technology, while the other using the traditional IP Network. The two networks are
modeled using OPNET IT Guru Edition 9.1. The three parameters as Traffic Received in bytes per
second, Packets end-to-end delay and Packets Delay Variation are generated and compared for the two
WSN network models. From the analysis of the results, one is able to draw conclusion that investing in
MPLS technology will ensure a stable network with high network throughput, high link utilization and
low latencies.
Acknowledgement
I am grateful to my parents whose blessings have been abundantly and their unrelenting support
with encouragement that enabled me accomplishes this task.
I do also dedicate this thesis to my dear family members.
It is with great honor and privilege to thank my thesis supervisor. Who guided me with his
scholarly skills. Without his encouragement and guidance, this work would not been achievable.
I sincerely express my heartfelt gratitude to him.
I also thank my fellow collogues and friends for the team work and support, they extended to me
during this project.
Thank you all, I am forever indebted to you.
Table of Contents
Abstract........................................................................................................................ 4
Acknowledgement........................................................................................................... 5
List of Figure.................................................................................................................. 7
Acronyms...................................................................................................................... 8
1.0 Chapter One............................................................................................................ 10
1.1 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Research Background.............................................................................................. 10
1.3 The objectives of the project..................................................................................... 10
1.2 Rationale for the project........................................................................................... 10
Chapter Two................................................................................................................. 11
Literature Review....................................................................................................... 11
2.1 Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN).............................................................................. 11
2.2 The 6LoWPAN Node.............................................................................................. 12
2.3 MPLS Routing Technology....................................................................................... 15
3.0 Chapter Three.......................................................................................................... 17
3.1 Research Methodology............................................................................................ 17
3.2 The ethical consideration.......................................................................................... 17
3.3 Proposed Design Protocol and Components..................................................................18
3.3 Design Assumptions............................................................................................... 18
3.4 Simulation........................................................................................................... 19
3.5 OPNET Simulation................................................................................................. 19
3.6 Simulation Assumptions.......................................................................................... 20
4.0 Chapter Four............................................................................................................ 20
4.1 OPNET Simulation Implementation............................................................................20
4.1.1 MPLS Simulation Model............................................................................. 21
4.1.2 Conventional IP Simulation Model........................................................................22
4.2 Modeling of VoIP packets in MPLS and IP network........................................................23
List of Figure
Figure 1- Interconnection between WSN and other external network
Figure 2- Comparison between IEEE 802.15.4 to other wireless technologies
Acronyms
MPLS
TCP/IP
IPv6
LER
LSR
LSP
LDP
FEC
VoIP
QoS
Quality of Service
RTTP
CR-LDP
CR-LSP
RSVP
OSPF
LIB
VPN
OSPF
BGP
WSN
the Time Division Multiplexing routing technology which are not supported by the Long Term
Evolution generation network architecture currently being used by the Mobile telephony
providers. This makes the research viable as the new design of the WSN devices in the LTE
design supports the packet switched technology used in the MPLS routing technology.
Chapter Two
Literature Review
2.1 Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN)
WSN is a network of wireless nodes having capability of measuring physical variables. The
devices are embedded in nature, consisting of memory, sensors, microcontrollers, wireless
interface, batteries and a programmable interface (Becker 2014 11). The field of Micro ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) has enabled the miniaturization of these nodes a capacity of less
than one centimeter cubic. The WSN ability to measure physical variables enables the
measurement of physical world variables in a virtual environment.
In order to maintain technical and economical feasibility, the WSN nodes manufacture takes
considerations of the critical resources like processing power, energy, and bandwidth available
for communication.
The integration of WSNs in IP network has made it possible to integrate data into a business
processes. This in itself forms the precursor to the universal acceptance of the WSNs. The
6LoWPAN internet gateway lying at the network layer in the IP layer, it has made it mode
feasible to feed IP packets into WSNs (Becker 2014 13).
The implementation of Internet Protocol Version 6(IPv6) in WSNs is made possible because of
other factors like interoperability of other IP standards, abundance tools like ping, tracer route,
and telnet for network management, and the security solutions like access controls and firewalls
that have been developed (Becker 14 2014).The diagram below shows the interconnection
between WSN and other external networks.
The FEC has the following parts as illustrated in the above diagram:
Exp: Experimental Using 3 bits forming the Class of Service (CoS) field
The MPLS transports traffic using VLL, Pseudo wire, VPLS and IP VPNs. It uses Open Shortest
Path First (OSPF) as he Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) in supporting the setting up of its paths.
The MPLS high availability is ensured using faster path restoration and network re-convergence
in a time of 50ms. This end-to-end restoration of MPLS FRR ensures network resilience. This
high availability is important for mission-critical video, voice and data information. The MPLS
FRR ensures interruptions of these critical services are minimized during network failure. The
MPLS hence provide cold and hot-standby used for protecting active path. This is implemented
using Label Distribution Protocol and Nonstop services in VPLS and IP VPM (Cisco System
2009 2).
MPLS traffic engineering allows the best path to be selected in a network, to ensure optimization
of the bandwidth, while the Quality of Service by providing weighted queuing or strict priority
implanted in Cisco switched as VLANs.
MPLS also offers effective network management using simplified tools allowing for easier
configuration, problem isolation and resolution, network control, and support on new application
management.
The two standards for MPLS are the MPLS-TP and the IP/MPLS, the hybrid of the two called
the Pseudowire-based MPLS is adopted in transporting the network packets. The MPLS_TP
supports native transport models, supports QoS, whilst supporting the Operation, Administration
and Maintenance (OAM) mechanism of protection that is available in traditional technologies
(Cisco System 2009 2)
The MPLS-TP is a transport network with functions like Penultimate Hop Popping (PHP),
Label-Switched Paths (LSPs) merged, and the Equal Cost Multi Path (ECMP).
Figure 5- MPLS-VPN network linking several client sites via a single Service Provider
technology that does not gives fixed bandwidth, but a variable hence eliminating the wastage
associated with circuit switched technologies. The values of money, network resilience,
availability, quality of service and the ease operational maintenance derived from employing
MPLS technology makes this project beneficial.
C-Customers router
The client site supports Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) or Routing Information Protocol
(RIP)
The end-to-end node for the WSN devices in the cloud are utilizing the 6LoWPAN IP
routing and addressing
3.4 Simulation
This is the process for creating abstract representation of an existing or a proposed system, so as
to predict the behavior or understand the controlling factors. Among the several simulation tools
like QualNET , Network Simulator, and OPNET, the proposed system design was subjected to
simulation using OPNET to help realize it strength and weakness of the system as pertain the
network parameters below:
Network latency
Ability for Service providers to make optimal use of network resources whilst complying
to the Quality of Service (QoS) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the clients
To accomplish this task, data traffic is used across the two WSN networks; one designed using
MPLS while the other designed using traditional IP routing technology. The results obtain from
simulation are analyzed to determine the performance levels of the two network design.
Both the networks are simulated assuming that both are implemented using a common
topology.
4.1.1 MPLS Simulation Model
2 Client Switches
3 Client workstations
1 File server
The LSR and LER routers are connected using PPP DS3 connectors, while the workstation and
switches connected by Ethernet 100BaseT.
In this scenario Voice over IP(VoIP) packet is transmitted across the network from the
workstation from the remote site to the other, and the parameters as Traffic Received in bytes
per second, Packets end-to-end delay and Packets Delay Variation are computed graphically from
the simulation results.
The VoIP packets are established in the simulation above by modeling the application and profile
definition utilities. The application definition is set to a definition is set to a default application
profile, while the profile definition is set to have telecom profile that has one voice over IP call
application. This is discussed more in the next sections.
demand. Some of the application definitions attributes are email, file transfer, https, Voice over
IP just to mention a few.
The figure 8 above shows application definition attributes. In this model we have used voice over
IP call (PCM quality). The application definition is set to default to automatically load the
default service attribute defined in the profile definition.
The profile definition is then used to describe the behavior of the workstations. It describes the
start of the simulation, operation mode and the duration. In this case the simulation was set to
have exponential operation, serial operation mode and duration of 900 seconds as indicated in
the profile definition attribute below.
determine network throughput in terms of traffic received in bps, end-to-end packet delay and
variation in packet delay for the two modeled networks.
Figure 10 Comparison for Traffic received in bps in MPLS and IP WSN model
Figure 11- Packets end-to-end delay comparison for MPLS and IP Model WSN model
Figure 12: Packet Delay variation comparison for MPLS and IP WSN network
Chapter Six
6.1 Conclusion and Recommendation
The main objective of this project was to determine the advantage of employing MPLS define in
a WSN networks by considering key network parameters as packet quantity transmitted, packet
end-to-end delay and the variation in the packet delay.
The project started with a literature review, then the design and implementation of design using
OPNET simulator.
The finding from the comparison metrics and the resultants diagrams help in answering the
research question earlier stated advantages of MPLS over other networks technologies for a
WSN network. From the results analysis, it can be seen that the benefit an organization will gain
by deploying MPLS network, is far much compared to other technologies. They stand to gain on
stable and faster network access, low latency and lower delay variation that often leads to packet
distortion
6.2 Future Study
This project work laid more emphasis on the performance of VoIP traffic between MPLS and
Conventional IP. The future work can be carried out to investigate the performance of MPLS
VoIP using signaling protocols CR-LDP and RSVP. This will rather be interesting as one will be
required to consider the codecs of the VoIP application. This will give rise to interesting
comparative metrics.
Reference
Alcatel Lucent(2009). IP/MPLS Networks for Highways. Infrastructures for highly available missioncritical communications
Cisco Systems(2008). MPLS FAQ For Beginners. Cisco Systems Inc.
Cisco Systems(2009). Understanding MPLS-TP and Its Benefits. Cisco System Inc. Publication
Becker M (2014) Services in Wireless Sensor Networks, Advanced Studies Mobile Research
Center
Oleveira et al.(2013).End-to-End Connectivity IPv6 over Wireless Sensor Networks accessed at
http://www.iariajournals.org/systems_and_measurements/
Sinniah G. et al. (2013). 6LoWPAN Gateway System for Wireless Sensor Networks and
Performance Analysis