NetworkCraft

The NetworkCraft project is a mod for Minecraft built upon the OpenComputers mod. Our goal is to expand the networking capabilities of the existing mod to mirror real TCP/IP networks and to visualize these networks in a way that helps teach these concepts.

Problem Definition
Develop a Minecraft Mod that enables realistic modeling of TCP/IP networks and their control

Background
Minecraft is a 3D/VR game that enables the creation of complex virtual worlds. Mods enable modifying Minecraft. There are 1000s free of mods, i.e.: Animals, Armor, Sims-style, Mechanics, Flight Simulators. There are several mods for energy and mechanics, and a couple that simulate computing: Computer Craft and Open-Computers. However, these do not model computer networks and their control and security in a way that is realistic enough to enable quality research and education in TCP/IP based networks and cyber security using 3D worlds and VR

Value Proposition
Teaching and researching networking concepts can be a big investment. A person would need to buy the hardware required to create a test network and have the space to set it up. Our project will be able to make this process easier, by eliminating the need for hardware and simulating networks in the video game Minecraft. This is also an improvement, as it can be more approachable to students just starting to learn about computing, can also reduce the risk of security issues involving allowing students access to network security tools, and eliminates the need for a large physical space designated for the computer network.

Product Requirements
Functional Requirements Software Requirements Regulatory Requirements
 * The user shall not be required to install any mod other than NetworkCraft
 * The mod shall modify the OpenComputers mod to enable teaching/learning of TCP/IP Networking
 * The mod shall be capable of being hosted on a Minecraft server
 * The mod shall simulate TCP/IP Network Configuration
 * The mod shall simulate Network visualization, including improper network configuration visualization.
 * The mod shall allow the user to use VR gear or mouse and keyboard to interact with the game
 * The mod shall be distributable with an MIT license
 * The mod shall be distributable under an open source mentality

OpenComputers
OpenComputers is a Minecraft mod that simulates computers in a very realistic way. The user can build their own computer and create programs to help them in game. This serves as a great starting point for our project, as it is detailed and has networking capabilities that our customer is looking for in our project. A video showing a small example of a OpenComputers network can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCjmG1ZNWGo

Java, Scala, and Lua
The mod is currently written with 2 languages, Java and Scala, with Lua being the language that the user uses to program their computers. We will need to make sure we create our own code that inherits from the existing code, as to not create any new problems that could arise with other parts of the mod that we do not wish to change. The Java portions of code act as a way for Minecraft to interact with a mod, or an API. The Scala potion of code are what drives the actual content of the code. Lua scripts will also need to be created so that the user can program the computers with the new network capabilities.

Network Addressing
Currently, the mod uses a UUID network address for its computers.This format is alphanumeric, and is designed to always be unique, for example: 123e4567-e89b-12d3-a456-426655440000. This does not reflect what our client would like, as they want the mod to use the TCP/IP format, which looks like this: 192.168.0.1 This format is widely used in the real world, and if implemented will add greater realism to the current mod.

Minecraft Modding
Modding Minecraft is somewhat easy to do. A tool called Minecraft Forge allows anyone to add a compiled mod to Minecraft easily. Once we complete significant milestones in coding, we can test and make sure that our mod will continue to work with Forge.

Schedule
Team NetworkCraft is using the Agile development process for project scheduling. This means every week, the team meets and evaluates the current state of the project. The team will then set goals that should be completed by the next meeting. Our plan for next semester is to start development on our programs needed for the mod and to keep a high level of documentation of all our programs and progress.

Team Information
Customer: UI CoE: Daniel Conte de Leon (CS)

Document Archive
Many documents will be hosted on a private GitHub repository. This can be found at: https://github.com/IrishTunn/NetworkCraft