Real-time modelling of alarm generation and propagation in an SDH network

A novel approach to the testing of network management systems by using `real-time´ network models is presented. The `real-time´ models generate and propagate alarms within telecommunications networks conforming to the synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH). The models were developed and simulated using a commercial event-driven Monte-Carlo simulation package. Verification was performed by interfacing one of the models to a `live´ management system and comparing the performance with that obtained from a fully-configured `captive office´. Results from the simulations provide an insight into how the loading presented to the network management system can vary according to differing network sizes, configurations and alarm masking strategies employed