Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT)

Robert Richards, Ph.D.Coskun Tasoluk

Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. San Mateo, CA 94404www.StottlerHenke.com/INCOT

Goals /OverviewProvide 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

ImplementationOPNET 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 LayoutRequirements 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 WizardNETWARS

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: StandaloneUse 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 ODKTranslation 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

Visual Authoring Tool

Example

Reasoning PresentlyPresent requirements too simple to benefit

from Visual Authoring Tool• Convert TNAPS+ links to correct NETWARS

links• Automatically build network backbone

INCOT WEB Sitewww.SHAI.com/INCOT

Conclusions / Future DirectionINCOT 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