Knowledge-Based System Analysis and Control Defense Switched Network Task Areas

An Interactive Defense Switched Network Simulator IDSIM has been implemented, consisting of an enhanced Call-by-Call Simulator CCSIM in one computer interfaced with a Network Management Expert System NMES in a second computer. The operation of IDSIM is similar to that of a real-world theater Defense Switched Network DSN and its community of users, at a future time when the DSN is fully installed and an Expert System at each theater operations center performs DSN network management NM functions. Within IDSIM, NMES collects periodic activity reports from each simulated DSN switch in CCSIM, analyzes them to identify network problems, and applies control commands to the simulated switcher to circumvent the problems as well as possible. By inducing network fault and overload conditions, applying controls, and studying the results, and experimenter can exploit IDSIM as a system engineering tool to develop NM strategies for the DSN. This report describes IDSIM as well as a set of NM study results obtained with this tool. The report also describes the applicability of CCSIM as a near-term training device for human DSN NM operators, and analyzes expert system applicability to Defense Data Network DDN management.