A CAD System for Modeling and Simulation of Computer Networks Using Cellular Automata

Abstract

The increasing complexity of computer networks calls for the development of new models for their simulation. Cellular automata (CAs) are a well-known and successful model for complex systems. This paper presents a system for modeling and simulation of computer networks based on CAs. More specifically, a 2D NaSch CA computer network model has been developed, and several networks were simulated. Algorithms for connectivity evaluation, system reliability evaluation, and shortest path computation in a computer network have also been implemented. Our system, called Net_CA system, was designed and developed as an interactive tool that offers automated modeling with the assistance of a dynamic and user-friendly graphical environment. The proposed system also produces automatically synthesizable very high speed integrated circuits hardware description language code leading to the parallel hardware implementation of the aformentioned CA algorithms. In terms of circuit design and layout, ease of mask generation, silicon area utilization, and maximization of achievable clock speed, CAs are perhaps the computational structures best suited for a fully parallel very large scale integrated realization. The simulation algorithms developed in the present paper offer high flexibility. Furthermore, connection reliability and other important parameters are inputs to the algorithms, rendering Net_CA a very reliable and fast simulator for wireless networks, ad hoc networks, and generally, for low connection reliability networks.