AN EXPERT-SYSTEM FOR PLANNING PRIVATE NETWORKS

This paper describes an expert system for planning a cost-effective pr ivate network. The network design process is divided into five phases, each of which uses automatic network design module, display/modificat ion editor, and two types of entry points. This allows the operator to modify any phase result whenever it is necessary, and to continue the process. For the automatic network design module an algorithm is prop osed that allows us to use the existing network information, to suppor t multi-pattern network operation or to plan an intra-site with multip le Multiplexors (MUXs). To make the communications between the expert system and the network operator easier, some graphic functions are int roduced in the user interface. This allows for efficient monitoring of the automatic design results and updating them when they are unsatisf actory for the operator.