Automated generation of integrated architectures and end-to-end network models

As systems and systems of systems become more prevalent and complex the need to tightly couple architectures and end-to-end network models and generate them automatically becomes imperative in order to maintain efficiencies, accuracy and detail. Network models that reflect true end-to-end architectures need to encompass terrestrial, wireless and satellite components and be highly detailed to truly represent all of the complexities in a worldwide communications network. Based on our experience as a systems integrator where we focus on end-to-end communications, systems architectures and integrated network models that reflect those architectures we have gained efficiencies and accuracy through our tools and processes. Our use of best-in-class tools including OPNET, satellite tool kit, Popkin System Architect/spl trade/ and their well known XML-friendly definitions, such as OPNET Modeler's/spl trade/ data type description, or socket-based data transfer modules, such as STK/spl trade//Connect, enable the sharing of data between applications for more rapid development of end-to-end system architectures and a more complete system design. By sharing the results of and integrating best-in-class tools we are able to: (1) promote sharing of data; (2) enhance the fidelity of our results; and (3) allow network and application performance to be viewed in the context of the entire enterprise and its processes.