The use of modelling in long-range computer communications network planning
R. K. Leighton · 1989
There has been an incredible expansion and proliferation of computer communications networks in the last 10 years, most of them proprietary. Furthermore, the use of these networks has changed from a business operations tool to a strategic weapon for corporations. In order to better coordinate and control the growth of these networks, as well as add functionality, communications architecture plans are being developed for the corporate networks of the nineties. Cost/benefits analyses of these architectures have to be played against the proposed strategic plans of the corporation. Also, it is desirable to test these architectures for a number of scenarios involving future variations of regulatory, technology and standards projections that vitally effect the networks. All of this analysis is aggravated considerably by a lack of operations data for the current networks along with incomplete data on future computer communications protocols, services and loads.The purpose of this paper is to present a methodology involving modelling on several levels that will not only quickly present very high-level, cost-benefit analyses for proposed architectures, but will continue to refine these analyses as all future data gathering and modelling work is prioritized and refined on an ongoing basis. The result will be an up-to-date repository for all communications planning tools and data.