Integrated Network Design Tools (INDT): a suite of network design tools for current and next generation networking technologies

Integrated Network Design Tools (INDT) is a suite of tools being developed at Bell Labs. This suite of tools is built on a flexible software architecture based on C++ and can provide optimal network design for a mix of private line, switched voice and switched multimedia services using a mix of circuit and ATM switches and cross connects and facilities with different bandwidth granularity. INDT also has the ability to design, in a standalone mode or in conjunction with logical designs, the core transport network using mesh and/or ring topologies and using PDH or SONET/SDH products. The transport network may be designed over existing fiber routes and capacities or the tool may be used to help decide the fiber layout. We focus on a new capability within INDT, viz., SONET ring design. We present a high level description of the various submodules in the ring network design and provide an overview of the main factors that influenced our algorithm development. We also present sample studies of our approach to intra-ring load balancing as well as our economic quantification of penalties due to dual ring interconnect (DRI) and other features of interest.