Planning Tools for Special Networks

Hubbing has been shown to be an economical solution to the problems of providing both analog and digital special services. Digital cross-connect systems (DCS´s) are an ideal vehicle for providing the hubbing function in a flexible and economic manner. However, planning hubbed networks with DCS´s requires considerable analysis on a networkwide basis, a requirement difficult to carry out in a manual environment. This paper describes two strategic network planning tools that can aid network planners in determining the optimal hubbing configuration for their networks. HUBCAP (Hubbing Configuration Analysis Program) is a program that analyzes analog special services networks. SUBCAP (Subrate Configuration Analysis Program) examines networks designed for digital data services. The capabilities and application of each of the tools are discussed. Because the transmission equipment has the capabilities to support both types of services, and since shared applications are becoming increasingly popular, it is important to optimize the total network.