CPS 472/572

Project 5: Introduction to OPNET
Network Modeling and Performance Evaluation

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

Due: Tuesday, April 24, 2003

Dr. Jennifer Seitzer

Using OPNET Network Modeler, you will construct a small internetwork model, collect statistics, and show results. The exercise depicts the planning for the expansion of a small company's intranet. Assume that currently, the company has a star topology network on the first floor of their office building, and plans to add an additional star topology network on another floor in the building. You will build and test this "what-if" scenario to ensure that the added load caused by the addition of the second network will not cause the network to fail.

· Part I: Tutorial 1 -- Print and go through OPNET Tutorial 1 as was (partially) demonstrated in class

1. Work through (edit, save, execute) the tutorial demonstrated in class that describes the necessary steps to build the internetwork.

2. As indicated in the tutorial, add the second network and determine what changes in server load and overall delay occur (if any).

3. Break the network. Change the switch or server (or both) and increase the number of nodes in the star LAN. That is, determine how many nodes must be added in the additional star topology network for the performance to deteriorate (i.e., the delay to increase by 25% (give or take 1 %) ). To make this determination, you will need to perform different test runs.

· Part II: Model your own network

-- Do the same type of analysis using your own invented network scenario. This should be an internetwork with at least two routers. Choose the parameters to model. Some possible parameters are traffic density, number of workstations on either LAN, bandwidth of the connecting links, power of the router (here, you may use different routers).

-- Submit the baseline design and then the design with the added component that deteriorated performance.

• Part III: Report your results. This is the item to submit. Submit only the paper.
  Write a three to four page written description explaining your implementation, the model you created, the new aspect you added, unusual techniques or tricks you used in the implementation, and any problems you had in your pursuit. In your description, include some of the techniques we discussed in class on network performance evaluation.