Student (m/f/d): Simulation and evaluation of attack in a TSN network

Student (m/f/d): Simulation and evaluation of attack in a TSN network

During your studies, you can contribute to our ongoing research projects. Join us in pushing the limits of what is technically feasible and be part of breaking new ground together. We offer a variety of challenging and practice-oriented topics for mandatory internships, Bachelor’s or Master’s theses or for student research assistants. You will analyse important scientific preliminary questions and support the project teams with development activities.

Place of work

Ilmenau

Team

System Design

Career level

Mandatory Internship, Thesis or Student Research Assistant

Research field

Smart distributed measurement and test systems

Time scope

4-6 months

Start

As soon as possible

Application deadline

Reference number

IMMS_STUD_SD_0125

IMMS has a lab dedicated to Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) system architecture. Among other topics, time synchronization is a key focus area. The IEEE 1588 standard for the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) as well as its TSN specific variant IEEE802.1AS, called generalized PTP (gPTP), play a central role. These protocols are critical for maintaining the deterministic real-time behaviour of TSN networks.

Building on previous work done at IMMS, a test environment based on network simulations has been developed. This enables the simulation and evaluation of Time-Delay-Attacks (TDAs) on the synchronization messages in PTP as well as their impact on the network stability.

The objective of this project is to implement a simple network, simulate attack scenarios and export generated network traffic flow data. In addition, the candidate will analyze the generated traffic with respect to parameters and metrics such as round trip time (RTT), jitter, clock‑drift. The goal is to evaluate whether these parameters are suitable to detect attacks in the network. The implementation and evaluation will be carried out using Omnet++ software.

WHAT TO DO:

• Introduction to Omnet++
• Traffic flood attack simulation on TSN network
• Visualization and Recording of Packet Drop count, round trip time (RTT), jitter, clock‑drift
• Check and measure flow rate, elapsed time for different traffic
• Collect, export and evaluate data

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

• Networking knowledge
• Understanding time synchronization like PTP/gPTP concept
• TSN network principles and objectives

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU:

• An attractive workplace in a modern, very well‑equipped and industry‑oriented research institute
• Work directly at the interface between university and industry
• Work in a flexible and creative team and on innovative and challenging topics

For the tasks described in the job offer and with the existing working conditions, an application is possible irrespective of gender and/or any physical disabilities. We foster professional equality of women and men. We invite women in particular to apply. As women are underrepresented at IMMS, they will be given priority in the case of equal suitability, ability and professional performance.