Network modeling system and method of simulating network operation with configurable node models

• US 20070076628A1
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Global Communications, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. (ITT, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yoon, Chang-June, Liu, Yu-Jih, Cruz, Christine, Lau, Connie, Li, Chris
• Granted Patent: US 7,765,093 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0843 based on generic templates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/145 involving simulating, designing, planning or modelling of a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

A node model of the present invention is employed by a network modeling and simulation system and includes a communication protocol stack with a plurality of protocol layers. Each protocol layer includes communication functions. The protocol layer functions are each represented by one or more distinct software implementations that are optimized for different simulation purposes. A configurable module switch is disposed between protocol layers within the stack to selectively control information flow between functions within adjacent protocol layers. The node model enables a user to perform network simulation or analysis of varying detail or granularity.

Claims

1. A system for modeling and simulating a network including a plurality of nodes comprising:

a processing system to model and simulate said network, said processing system including;

a node model generation unit to produce a node model to enable said processing system to simulate a corresponding network node, wherein said node model includes a plurality of protocol layers each for performing a communications protocol function and a plurality of selectively configurable switches each disposed between and coupling corresponding ones of said protocol layers, and wherein at least one protocol layer includes a plurality of individually selectable functions selectable by a corresponding configurable switch to provide a desired behavior for said node during said simulation.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said configurable switches are statically configured prior to simulation of said network.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said configurable switches are dynamically configured during simulation of said network.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing system further includes configuration information pertaining to configurations of said network nodes, and a node model template providing an initial configuration for said node model, and wherein said node model generation unit includes:

a template processing module to modify said node model template in accordance with said configuration information for said corresponding network node to form said node model.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said processing system further includes:

a network model generation unit to produce a network model to enable said processing system to simulate said network.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said processing system further includes network information pertaining to configurations of said network, and a network model template providing an initial configuration for said network model, and wherein said network model generation unit includes:

a template processing module to modify said network model template in accordance with said network information to form said network model.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein said processing system further includes:

a simulation module to process said network and node models to simulate operation of said network.

8. A method of modeling and simulating a network including a plurality of nodes on a processing system comprising:

(a) representing each network communication node in the form of a node model including a plurality of protocol layers each for performing a protocol function and a plurality of configurable switches each disposed between and coupling corresponding ones of said protocol layers;

(b) assigning a plurality of individually selectable functions to each protocol layer, wherein the functions perform a protocol function associated with that layer with varying characteristics;

(c) selectively configuring each switch to select and interface one of said assigned functions from each corresponding protocol layer in accordance with a desired behavior for said network; and

(d) simulating said network in accordance with said configured node models.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) statically configuring said configurable switches prior to simulation of said network.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) dynamically configuring said configurable switches during simulation of said network.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said processing system includes configuration information pertaining to configurations of said network nodes, and a node model template providing an initial configuration for said node model, and wherein step (c) further includes:

(c.1) modifying a node model template in accordance with said configuration information, said assignment and said selective configuration for a corresponding network node to form said node model for that node.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein step (a) further includes:

(a.1) producing a network model to enable simulation of said network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said processing system further includes network information pertaining to configurations of said network, and a network model template providing an initial configuration for said network model, and wherein step (a.1) further includes:

(a.1.1) modifying said network model template in accordance with said network information to form said network model.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein step (d) further includes:

(d.1) processing said network and node models to simulate operation of said network.

15. An apparatus including a computer readable medium with computer logic recorded thereon for modeling a network including a plurality of nodes comprising:

a node model to simulate a corresponding network node, wherein said node model includes a plurality of protocol layers each for performing a communications protocol function and a plurality of selectively configurable switches each disposed between and coupling corresponding ones of said protocol layers, and wherein at least one protocol layer includes a plurality of individually selectable functions selectable by a corresponding configurable switch to provide a desired behavior for said node during said simulation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said configurable switches are statically configured prior to simulation of said network.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said configurable switches are dynamically configured during simulation of said network.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 further including:

configuration information pertaining to configurations of said network nodes;

a node model template providing an initial configuration for said node model; and

a node model generation unit to produce said node model, wherein said node model generation unit includes;

a template processing module to modify said node model template in accordance with said configuration information for said corresponding network node to form said node model.

19. The apparatus of claim 15 further including:

a network model to enable simulation of said network.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 further including:

network information pertaining to configurations of said network;

a network model template providing an initial configuration for said network model; and

a network model generation unit to produce said network model, wherein said network model generation unit includes;

a network template processing module to modify said network model template in accordance with said network information to form said network model.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 further including:

a node model generation unit to generate said node model in accordance with node configuration information; and

a network generation unit to generate a network model in accordance with network configuration information.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 further including:

a simulation module to process said network and node models to simulate operation of said network.