An intelligent tool for network configuration and optimization

1 0-7803-7651-X/03/$17.00 © 2003 IEEE 2 IEEEAC paper #1210, Updated December 10, 2002 Abstract—SHAI, in conjunction with OPNET, is developing an Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit (INCOT) for the US Air Force. INCOT’s goal is to provide an intelligent interface to OPNET products, allowing rapid design and optimization of communications networks without requiring the user to have programming skills or knowledge of the underlying OPNET simulation products. There is currently a great need for any solution that will dramatically reduce the complexity of network configuration due to the great quantity and diversity of information that must be analyzed, as well as the short decision cycles. By incorporating expert knowledge of network engineering, policies, available components and their characteristics, INCOT is providing an interactive goal driven rapid development tool to the network engineer that can quickly generate a network configuration. INCOT is extending the power of OPNET’s network simulation tools, while simplifying its operation for Air Force network engineers.