Simulation and analysis of very large area networks (VLAN) using an information flow model

Two main advantages of incorporating satellites into future computer networks are considered to be the large communication bandwidth of a satellite channel and the capability of using broadcast communications to nodes distributed over a very large geographical area. The inherent problem with satellites is that a large propagational delay is required by packet transmissions. A hierarchical VLAN model called an information flow model is presented. The model attempts to take advantage of the pluses of using satellites while minimizing the negative aspects by incorporating innovative network organization and management schemes. A description is given of the model, the network organization and its functional network management scheme, the simulation setup, implementation issues, parameters of the simulation model, and validation and verification. The design of experiments using the simulation model and the simulation results are also presented and analyzed.<>