How to Implement Network Endpoint Security in NS2

To implement the Network Endpoint Security in Network Simulator 2 (NS2), we need to replicate security features that guard network endpoints like client devices (includes computers, smartphones or IoT devices) from illegal access, malware, data leakage and other security challenges. The aim is to secure all devices linked to a network by appointing methods like validation, encryption, access control and intrusion detection.

The given below is a approach to accomplish the Endpoint Security in NS2:

Key Aspects of Network Endpoint Security:

  1. Authentication: Making sure that only legitimate device can link to the network.
  2. Encryption: Securing data in transit amongst endpoints and network servers.
  3. Access Control: Limiting access to particular network resources in terms of endpoint identity and permissions.
  4. Intrusion Detection: Observing traffic for signs of malicious activity or abnormal activities.
  5. Endpoint Malware Protection: Spotting and preventing mischievous software from compromising endpoints.

Steps to Implement Network Endpoint Security in NS2:

  1. Define Network Topology:

Begin by stating a network topology that contains numerous endpoint devices (nodes) and servers. The endpoints are client devices that communicate with central network servers or cloud services.

Example Tcl script for network topology:

set ns [new Simulator]

# Define network nodes: endpoints and server

set endpoint1 [$ns node]

set endpoint2 [$ns node]

set server [$ns node]

# Define links between endpoints and the server

$ns duplex-link $endpoint1 $server 10Mb 10ms DropTail

$ns duplex-link $endpoint2 $server 10Mb 10ms DropTail

This generates a simple client-server architecture where endpoints interact with a server.

  1. Simulate Traffic Between Endpoints and Server:

Imitate communication amongst the endpoints and the server using TCP to indicate data interchange like file transmit, requests, or command-and-control interactions.

Sample of simulating traffic amidst endpoints and the server:

# Create TCP agent for endpoint1 to communicate with the server

set tcp1 [new Agent/TCP]

set sink1 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $endpoint1 $tcp1

$ns attach-agent $server $sink1

$ns connect $tcp1 $sink1

# Create TCP agent for endpoint2 to communicate with the server

set tcp2 [new Agent/TCP]

set sink2 [new Agent/TCPSink]

$ns attach-agent $endpoint2 $tcp2

$ns attach-agent $server $sink2

$ns connect $tcp2 $sink2

# Simulate application traffic from endpoints to server

set app1 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$app1 attach-agent $tcp1

$app1 set packetSize_ 512

$app1 set rate_ 1Mb

$ns at 1.0 “$app1 start”

set app2 [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$app2 attach-agent $tcp2

$app2 set packetSize_ 512

$app2 set rate_ 1Mb

$ns at 1.5 “$app2 start”

  1. Simulate Endpoint Security Threats:

Analyze the endpoint security by simulating numerous threats that could compromise endpoint devices:

  • Unauthorized Access: An attacker attempts to access the network or services from an unauthorized endpoint.
  • Data Interception: An attacker attempts to intercept data being transferred amongst endpoints and the server.
  • Malware Propagation: An infected endpoint may attempt to spread malware across the network.
  • Denial of Service (DoS) Attack: An attacker floods an endpoint or server with excessive traffic to interrupt services.

Example of simulating a DoS attack:

# Simulate a DoS attack from endpoint2 to the server

set udp [new Agent/UDP]

$ns attach-agent $endpoint2 $udp

set cbr [new Application/Traffic/CBR]

$cbr set packetSize_ 512

$cbr set rate_ 10Mb

$cbr attach-agent $udp

# Connect DoS traffic to the server

$ns connect $udp $sink1

$ns at 2.0 “$cbr start”

  1. Implement Endpoint Security Mechanisms:

(a) Authentication and Endpoint Verification:

Mimic an authentication feature where endpoints are certified before they can access network resources.

Example of simulating endpoint authentication:

# Simulate authentication for endpoint1 before it can access network services

if {$endpoint1_authenticated == true} {

puts “Endpoint authenticated, access to network services granted”

} else {

puts “Authentication failed, blocking access to network services”

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $server $filter

$ns connect $endpoint1 $filter

}

(b) Encryption (Simulated):

Encrypt data being transferred amongst endpoints and the server to make sure privacy and prevent interception by malicious actors. Since NS2 does not natively support encryption protocols, you can replicate encryption by marking traffic as “encrypted.”

Example of simulating encrypted communication:

# Simulate encrypted TCP communication between endpoints and the server

set secure_tcp [new Agent/TCP]

$secure_tcp set secure_ true  ;# Marking traffic as encrypted

(c) Access Control Lists (ACLs):

Use ACLs to limit access to certain network services or data in terms of endpoint identity and permissions.

Example of implementing ACLs:

# Allow only authorized endpoints to access the server

if {[node] != $endpoint1 && [node] != $endpoint2} {

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $server $filter

$ns connect $node $filter

}

(d) Intrusion Detection System (IDS):

Spot unusual or suspicious traffic from endpoints like unauthorized access attempts or malware activity by implementing an IDS.

Example of simulating an IDS for endpoint protection:

# Monitor traffic from endpoints to detect suspicious behavior

set tracefile [open ids_log.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

# Detect if an unauthorized endpoint is attempting to access the network

if {[node] == $unauthorized_endpoint} {

puts “Intrusion detected: unauthorized access attempt”

}

(e) Endpoint Malware Protection:

Replicate malware detection on endpoints by observing for abnormal network behavior or unexpected traffic patterns that could denote malware propagation.

Example of simulating malware protection:

# Simulate malware detection based on abnormal traffic patterns from an endpoint

if {$malware_detected == true} {

puts “Malware detected on endpoint, blocking traffic”

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $server $filter

$ns connect $infected_endpoint $filter

}

  1. Enable Traffic Monitoring and Logging:

Enable trace files to log network events like packet transmissions, receptions, and drops. These logs can assist detect security situations like illegal access or malware propagation.

Example of enabling trace logging:

set tracefile [open endpoint_security.tr w]

$ns trace-all $tracefile

  1. Analyze Security Metrics:

After executing the simulation, assess key security metrics like:

  • Unauthorized Access Attempts: Identify and log try to access network services without proper validation.
  • Packet Interception: See for intercepted packets that should have been encrypted.
  • Malware Detection: Identify abnormal traffic patterns from endpoints that may signify malware infection.
  • Endpoint Performance: Compute the influence of security features on endpoint performance like latency and throughput.

Example Python script to analyze unauthorized access in the trace file:

with open(“endpoint_security.tr”, “r”) as tracefile:

for line in tracefile:

if “unauthorized” in line:  # Log unauthorized access attempts

print(“Unauthorized access detected!”)

  1. Simulate Incident Response:

Examine how the network reacts to security incidents originating from endpoints like jamming traffic from impacted endpoints, rerouting traffic, or isolating compromised devices.

Example of blocking an endpoint after detecting malware:

# Block traffic from an infected endpoint after detecting malware activity

set filter [new Agent/Null]

$ns attach-agent $server $filter

$ns connect $infected_endpoint $filter

  1. Visualize Network Endpoint Security Using NAM:

NAM (Network Animator) is used to visualize the network and endpoint interactions. NAM can help you see packet flows and identify security events like unauthorized access or abnormal traffic from malware-infected endpoints.

Sample of enabling NAM visualization:

$ns namtrace-all [open endpoint_security.nam w]

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