Simulation and evaluation of multi-layer broadband networks

Modern broadband telecommunication networks are based on multiple transport technologies such as Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) and Wavelength Division Multiplex (WDM). The multilayer interworking aspects of these technologies is gaining an increased interest from industry and science. Since the development of a field trial is often economically not feasible, a multilayer network simulator is required to assess the functionality and performance of the investigated interworking protocols. In this paper the simulation environment developed in the ACTS project PANEL for the simulation and evaluation of multilayer survivability strategies is described. After the definition of the simulation concepts and models, a case study comparing two multilayer interworking strategies is presented, and the results obtained with the simulation tool are discussed.