VoIP Through OPNET's System-In-The-Loop
VoIP Through OPNET's System-In-The-Loop
Simulation using the OPNET SITL module to analyze QoS in a VoIP call -Akash Puthraya -Sreenivas Ravi
Abstract
System-in-the-loop module in OPNET allows real systems to connect to simulations. A VoIP call is made from one real computer to another through a simulated system. The call quality, before and after simulating various load effects on the simulation, is observed.
SITL Gateways
SITL gateways are virtual gateways to the real world. Real world devices (our laptops) are connected to these gateways on the simulation through the ethernet cards of the machine running OPNET.
SITL Gateways
Voice over IP
The delivery of a real time voice data stream over an IP network, is Voice over IP. Voice is captured on the ends of communication, converted to data packets and transmitted over the IP network, rather than PSTN as in the case of normal calls.
MicroSip
Most VoIP services require connection to a central server through which authentication info and call initiation must pass through, e.g. Skype uses Microsoft servers. This is not useful for our setup, as we need all transactions to pass through only the network in our control. MicroSip is used for this. It is an open-source VoIP application that allows for IP-IP calls in the same subnetwork.
Real-Sim
The first step in our project was to test a RealSim project. Here, we got one of our laptops to ping a simulated workstation in OPNET (SITL) using SITL virtual ethernet links.
Real-Sim
Real-Real
The next step in our project was to test a RealReal setup. Here, we got one of our laptops to ping another laptop. This project was especially invigorating because this was Proof of Concept that SITL could make two laptops talk to each other directly.
Real-real
Real-sim-Real
Now that a direct real-real setup was established, the next step was to establish communication through a switch. The switch does not need to be configured, as its interfaces do not have IP addresses.
A switch was inserted and a VoIP connection was established.
Real-switch-real
Real-router-Real
Replacing the switch with a router is the first step at increasing the complexity of the network. Adding a router involves configuring the router to allow packets to be routed from one subnet to another.
Real-router-Real
Router configuration
The router runs RIP, and hence accepts RIP config commands. It is given static routing entries to ensure transmission of packets. We had to add the various subnets involved to our laptops' routing tables through the route add command. Eg.: route add <destination network> mask 255.255.255.0 <default gateway>
Router configuration
Real-sim-real
The next step in our project was to test a Realsim-Real project. Here, we got one of our laptops to ping another laptop through two simulated routers. The routers needed to be configured just like real world devices and we needed to add the routes of the router interfaces to our laptops' routing tables.
Real-sim-real
Real-sim-real loaded
Real-sim-real setup with added load: ip_traffic_flow starts 1 minute after simulation begins
Results
No-Load conditions Delay conditions Load conditions
Terminal A to Terminal B
Terminal A to Terminal B
1 Gbps Traffic
Terminal B to Terminal A
Terminal B to Terminal A
1 kbps Traffic
Results
No-Load conditions Delay conditions Load conditions
Terminal A to Terminal B
Terminal A to Terminal B
1 Gbps Traffic
Terminal B to Terminal A
Terminal B to Terminal A
1 kbps Traffic
Results
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