A comprehensive framework to simulate network attacks and challenges

Abstract

Communication networks have evolved tremendously over the past several decades, offering a multitude of services while becoming an essential critical infrastructure in our daily lives. Networks in general, and the Internet in particular face a number of challenges to normal operation, including attacks and large-scale disasters, as well as due to the characteristics of the mobile wireless communication environment. It is therefore vital to have a framework and methodology for understanding the impact of challenges to harden current networks and improve the design of future networks. In this paper, we present a framework to evaluate network dependability and performability in the face of challenges. This framework uses ns-3 simulation as the methodology for analysis of the effects of perturbations to normal operation of the networks, with a challenge specification applied to the network topology. This framework can simulate both static and dynamic challenges based on the failure or wireless-impairment of individual components, as well as modelling geographically-correlated failures. We demonstrate this framework with the Sprint Rocketfuel and synthetically generated topologies as well as a wireless example, to show that this framework can provide valuable insight for the analysis and design of resilient networks.

Robustness envelopes of networks

“…A method based on the cumulative change of the giant component under targeted attacks has been proposed by Schneider et al [23]. Çetinkaya et al [24] developed a framework for analyzing packet loss relative to node and link failure. They consider packet loss under global targeted and random failure, as well as attacks contained within geographic regions.…”

Multilevel resilience analysis of transportation and communication networks

“…This is necessary to model area-based challenges on the network, such as power failures and severe weather [20,21]. However, these intermediate nodes artificially change the graph theoretic properties of the networks, in particular artificially skewing the degree distribution toward degree-2 nodes.…”

Livermore Computer Network Simulation Program

“…Most existing efforts are limited to modest scale (few hundred nodes), unrealistic network models, [7] and unrealistically simple on|off traffic models. [8] For our intended applications existing network simulators are limited in three regards:…”

“…[8] To reproduce behaviors seen in real networks we will need more sophisticated user models representing more complex activities like Web surfing, e-mail interchanges, and peer-topeer file interchange.…”