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Robert Richards, Ph.D. Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. www.stottlerhenke.com/incot. Goal. Provide an intelligent interface to network simulation products allowing rapid design & optimization of communications networks
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Robert Richards, Ph.D. Stottler Henke Associates, Inc. www.stottlerhenke.com/incot
Goal • Provide an intelligent interface to network simulation products • allowing rapid design & optimization of communications networks • without requiring the user to have programming skills or knowledge of the underlying simulation products • Customer: U.S. Air Force
Background: Stottler Henke • Intelligent Sysems/AI R&D consulting firm, founded in 1988 • Artificial Intelligence Professionals • AI Projects – over 100 • Variety of AI Techniques
Background: INCOT • INCOT, Intelligent Network Configuration Optimization Toolkit • Air Force SBIR Phase II project under AFRL, Rome • OPNET: Partner for simulation products • Phase I • Simplified Iconized workflow • RULES: Automated rules & algorithms to determine • satellite uplink location • line-of-sight antennae locations
Why Partnering with OPNET • Leader in predictive network management software for network design, deployment, & operations. • Proven technology: Since 1987 thousands of organizations have used OPNET tools. • OPNET products designed to be enhanced by third parties.
Objectives • Develop AI interface to OPNET tools to configure & optimize networks in the field • Via • Expert knowledge of devices • Adherence to policies • Goal directed optimization • Interactive with user
Phase I Prototype Architecture Relative to Overall Architecture
OPNET Development Kit (ODK) OPNET Modeler, with the following add-on modules Wireless Terrain Modeling OPNET in Implementation
Scenariofor Network Engineer • Rapidly deploy a camp in Afghanistan • 2 geographically separated sub-networks connected via line-of-site microwave connection • 1 sub-network has satellite link (Video 1 & 2)
Background: INCOT Phase II • Goal : Mimic the decision making process ofnetwork engineers in planning and deployingmilitary communication networks. • INCOT achieves this goal by • Requirements driven hierarchal top-down network building
Background: INCOT Phase II (cont.) • Steps to deploy a communication network • Mission Requirements • E.g., Set the area of operation • Subnet Level (Organization) & Individual Subnet Requirements • E.g., Data and Voice Network Requirements • INCOT automatically generates interconnection infrastructure
INCOT capabilities being added to NETWARS • NETWARS (Network Warfare Simulation) product of Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) • Build on OPNET products • Customized for military applications • “The main objective of the NETWARS program is to provide an integrated ability to analyze communication networks.”
Mission Requirements • Define Area of Operation Area • Lays down skeleton Organizations • Defines infrastructure between organizations.
Organization / Subnet Configuration • Configure individual subnets based on the requirements. • Input Requirements • Auto Build infrastructure (Video 3 & 4)
Integration with TNAPS+ • Tactical Network Analysis and Planning System Plus (TNAPS+) • PC-based tool utilized by the Air Force and other military branches for tactical communications • Requirement for many Air Force deployments
Benefits to TNAPS+ Users • Additional functionality provided by INCOT & OPNET tools • E.g., Analysis • No need to rebuild network, therefore quicker learning curve to use INCOT/OPNET/NETWARS(Video 5)
Conclusions / Future Direction • INCOT capabilities advancing rapidly • Integration with NETWARS will get INCOT to users faster • Development driven by needs of Air Force/NETWARS users • Transition TNAPS+ users to INCOT/OPNET/NETWARS • Looking for other potential users • See: • www.SHAI.com/INCOT for updates