Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit INCOT Robert Richards

Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT) Robert Richards, Ph. D. Coskun Tasoluk Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. San Mateo, CA 94404 www. Stottler. Henke. com/INCOT

Goals /Overview Provide an automatic layout tool – output to • OPNET products (e. g. , Modeler) • NETWARS Import TNAPS+ networks into • OPNET products (e. g. , Modeler) • NETWARS Other capabilities as needed • Geosynchronous satellite calculator • Merge of TNAPS equipment catalogs Customer: U. S. Air Force (directly) Do. D (indirectly) Product: • INCOT, Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit

Goal: Automating Network Layout Develop automation tools that help network engineers rapidly configure field deployed networks Crisis Action Planner • A crisis action planner has an extremely short timeframe in which to put together a communications system. The planner is typically limited to only components that are at hand or can be rapidly acquired. Output to OPNET Products & NETWARS/JNMS

Overview of Major Components and Data Flows of INCOT Automated Layout

Implementation OPNET dependent deployment • OPNET Development Kit (ODK) • OPNET Modeler, with the following add-on modules – Wireless – Terrain Modeling OPNET Independent Deployment • Network Layout Wizard (Standalone) – Output to OPNET/NETWARS XML file • TNAPS+ to OPET/NETWARS translator – Output to OPNET/NETWARS XML file

Wizard: Automated Network Layout Requirements driven hierarchal top-down network layout Steps to deploy a communication network • Mission Requirements – E. g. , Set the area of operation • Subnet Level (Organization) & Individual Subnet Requirements – E. g. , Data and Voice Network Requirements INCOT automatically generates internal components and interconnection infrastructure

INCOT synergies with NETWARS (Network Warfare Simulation) product of Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) • Build on OPNET products • Customized for military applications • “The main objective of the NETWARS program is to provide an integrated ability to analyze communication networks. ” Wizard built to look and feel like the NETWARS Task Assistant

NETWARS Task Assistant & INCOT Wizard NETWARS INCOT

Mission Requirements Select Equipment Define Area of Operations Lays down skeleton Organizations Defines infrastructure between organizations.

Organization / Subnet Configuration Configure individual subnets based on the requirements. • Input Requirements • Auto Build infrastructure Video – Mission & Organization Requirements

Wizard: Standalone Use Wizard without OPNET running • Interface not constructed with ODK Output to XML • Video: Wizard (standalone) • Video: Import into OPNET

Integration with TNAPS+ Tactical Network Analysis and Planning System Plus (TNAPS+) • PC-based tool utilized by the Air Force and other military branches for tactical communications • Requirement for many Air Force & Marine deployments

TNAPS+ Translation Benefits Additional functionality provided by OPNET/NETWARS • E. g. , Analysis No need to rebuild network, therefore quicker learning curve to use OPNET/NETWARS

Translation via ODK Translation of TNAPS+ Requires OPNET License Video

Translation without OPNET tools XML TNAPS+ file to import: Translating to XML & Reading XML Video

Convert TNAPS+ links to correct NETWARS links (current development) Analysis Required to Properly Connect Equipment in NETWARS Video

Visual Authoring Tool

Example

Reasoning Presently Present requirements too simple to benefit from Visual Authoring Tool • Convert TNAPS+ links to correct NETWARS links • Automatically build network backbone

INCOT WEB Site www. SHAI. com/INCOT

Conclusions / Future Direction INCOT can help with the transition to NETWARS/JNMS • TNAPS+ to NETWARS translator to be incorporated into NETWARS 2004 -2 • Automated network layout may be incorporated into future NETWARS Development driven by needs of Air Force and other Do. D users See: • www. SHAI. com/INCOT for updates