Evolving Approaches for Modeling Today’s Distributed Worldwide Multimedia Networks

The development of telecommunications network modeling and simulation tools has been a long and painful process that appeared to mature and become focused during the 80’s only to require major rethinking as the totally distributed and autonomously managed network environment of the 90’s appeared. The evolution of networks from their original message store and forward and multi-drop to today’s wholly distributed and autonomously managed high speed/broadband fiber-based networks is driving major changes in the modeling and simulation environment. This paper looks at the differences in network designs that are evolving. It reviews structural differences in networks and synopsizes options in today’s modeling tools. Finally recommendations for improving the effectiveness of our modeling tools for the future will be offered for discussion.