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

• US 7,765,093 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• 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: Li, Chris Cho-Pin, Lau, Connie Chui-Jun, Cruz, Christine Marie, Yoon, Chang-June, Liu, Yu-Jih
• Primary Examiner(s): Craig; Dwin M
• Application Number:
  US11/228,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20070076628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,772 Days
• Field of Search: 703/13, 709/223
• US Class Current: 703/13
• 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 defining a reconfigurable network node to enable said processing system to simulate different configurations of said network node, wherein said node model includes a communications protocol stack with a plurality of protocol layers each including one or more individually selectable function modules for performing communications protocol layer functions, and at least one selectively configurable module switch each disposed between adjacent ones of said protocol layers to selectively couple said function modules of said adjacent protocol layers, wherein each of said function modules of said protocol layers are selectable by a corresponding configurable module switch and at least one protocol layer includes a plurality of said individually selectable function modules, wherein said at least one configurable module switch is dynamically configured during said simulation based on one or more simulation settings and controls said coupling of said function modules to configure said node for a desired behavior during said simulation, and wherein said one or more simulation settings are modifiable by a user and said modifiable simulation settings override a previous node configuration.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. The system of claim 3, 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.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein said processing system further includes:

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

6. A computer-implemented method of modeling and simulating a network including a plurality of nodes on a processing system comprising:

(a) representing each network communication node, via said processing system, in the form of a node model defining a reconfigurable network communication node to enable said processing system to simulate different configurations of said communication node, wherein said node model includes a communications protocol stack with a plurality of protocol layers each including one or more individually selectable function modules for performing communications protocol layer functions, and at least one selectively configurable module switch each disposed between adjacent ones of said protocol layers to selectively couple said function modules of said adjacent protocol layers;

(b) assigning, via said processing system, one or more individually selectable function modules to each protocol layer, wherein at least one protocol layer includes a plurality of said individually selectable function modules, and wherein each of said function modules of said protocol layers are selectable by a corresponding configurable module switch;

(c) selectively configuring said at least one configurable module switch, via said processing system, wherein said at least one configurable module switch is dynamically configured during said simulation based on one or more simulation settings, wherein said at least one configurable module switch controls said coupling of said function modules to configure said communication node for a desired behavior during said simulation, and wherein said one or more simulation settings are modifiable by a user and said modifiable simulation settings override a previous communication node configuration; and

(d) simulating said network, via said processing system, in accordance with said configured node models.

7. The method of claim 6, 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.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein step (a) further includes:

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

9. The method of claim 8, 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.

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

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

11. An apparatus including a computer readable memory device with computer logic recorded thereon, wherein said computer logic is executed by a processor for modeling a network including a plurality of nodes and comprises:

a node model defining a reconfigurable network node to simulate different configurations of said network node, wherein said node model includes a communications protocol stack with a plurality of protocol layers each including one or more individually selectable function modules for performing communications protocol layer functions, and at least one selectively configurable module switch each disposed between adjacent ones of said protocol layers to selectively couple said function modules of said adjacent protocol layers, wherein each of said function modules of said protocol layers are selectable by a corresponding configurable module switch and at least one protocol layer includes a plurality of said individually selectable function modules, wherein said at least one configurable module switch is dynamically configured during said simulation based on one or more simulation settings, wherein said at least one configurable module switch controls said coupling of said function modules to configure said node for a desired behavior during said simulation, and wherein said one or more simulation settings are modifiable by a user and override a previous node configuration.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said memory device 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

said computer logic further includes;

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 network node to form said node model.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said computer logic further includes:

a network model to enable simulation of said network.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said memory device further includes:

network information pertaining to configurations of said network; and

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

said computer logic further includes;

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.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said computer logic further includes:

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.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said computer logic further includes:

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