MAPCon: an expert system to configure communications networks

MAPCon is an expert system that performs offline parameter configuration for local area networks that use MAP the (Manufacturing Automation Protocol). A description is given of the configuration task in general and MAPCon in particular, and its performance is described as a function of network size. MAPCon is distinct from most other applications of expert systems technology to communications in four ways. First, it deals with MAP networks, which (unlike many commonly used networking schemes) are compatible with the OSI seven-layer model of communications. Secondly, it does parameter configuration, rather than routing, diagnosis, or identifying which components need to be included in a given station. Thirdly, it relies heavily on a frame representation of deep knowledge about the system, and uses rules mainly to propagate deep-level constraints among related parameters rather than to capture shallow heuristics. Finally, it combines both synthetic and analytic reasoning