Modeling and Evaluation of Local Area Networks

A methodology to test and evaluate local area networks (LANs) prior to procurement and installation is discussed. Characteristics of the specific network architecture under study, HYPE Rbus, a Network Systems Corporation (NSC) product, are given. The methodology is based upon the use of the Network Architecture Simulated Test and Evaluation Environment (NASTEE), developed at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC). NASTEE comprises three program packages: a Configurer supports interactive specification of experiments to load and test the network; a Testbed executes user-specified experiments n batch mode; a Graphics Package (not yet complete) will display results. Protocols written by the user are linked to the Testbed and supply the intelligence to network nodes for all message processing.