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Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT). Robert Richards, Ph.D. Coskun Tasoluk Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. San Mateo, CA 94404 www.StottlerHenke.com/INCOT. Goals /Overview. Provide an automatic layout tool – output to OPNET products (e.g., Modeler) NETWARS
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Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT) Robert Richards, Ph.D. Coskun Tasoluk Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. San Mateo, CA 94404 www.StottlerHenke.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) DoD (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
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 Implementation
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 • 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 infrastructureVideo – 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: Video • Translating to XML &Reading XML Video
Convert TNAPS+ links to correct NETWARS links (current development) • Analysis Required to Properly Connect Equipment in NETWARS Video
Reasoning Presently • Present requirements too simple to benefit from Visual Authoring Tool • Convert TNAPS+ links to correct NETWARS links • Automatically build network backbone
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 DoD users • See: • www.SHAI.com/INCOT for updates