Work in progress- incorporation of OPNET simulation into a telecommunications systems laboratory course

An integral part of the curriculum for the newly developed telecommunications systems M.S. degree at The University of Oklahoma (OU) Tulsa is a course entitled telecommunications systems laboratory. The course is designed to enhance the understanding of computer networking theories and concepts through simulation and hands-on networking exercises. Students utilize the resources of the OU-Tulsa Telecommunications interoperability laboratory to build flexible and interconnected network model configurations using multi-vendor ATM, IP, TDM, and WDM equipment, including fixed and mobile wireless components. Various testing equipment are used to evaluate network performance. For simulation, we have chosen OPNET modeler, from OPNET Technologies, Inc., as the software of choice. The role of simulation in the course is two-fold: to improve student comprehension of computer networking concepts and theories and to complement the hands-on experiments. This work-in-progress paper discusses our preliminary experiences with integrating OPNET modeler into the telecommunications systems laboratory course.