A prototype software system that implements a methodology for the strategic planning of survivable interoffice networks is presented. The software system determines strategic locations and ring types for synchronous optical network ring placement. Two types of survivable network architectures are considered/spl mdash/1:1 diverse protection and SONET self-healing rings. The software considers three types of SONET self-healing rings/spl mdash/unidirectional, 2-fiber bidirectional, and 4-fiber bidirectional. Hubbing is assumed in all architectures. Inputs include nodes, links, connectivity, facility hierarchy, and multiyear point-to-point demands, together with the costs of fiber material and splicing, route mileage (installation), and multiplexors and regenerators of different rates. The outputs are a set of near-optimal rings based on cost, specifying the ring types and rates, fiber span sizes and counts, regenerator locations and speeds, the topology (set of links to be used), and the network cost. In addition, the software outputs the time in the planning period that each ring and fiber span should be installed.>

The authors describe methods to design cost-effective survivable telecommunications networks that use fiber-optic transmission links. One of these methods utilizes optical switching devices to implement route diversity during cable cuts. These methods have been incorporated into a software tool consisting of three modules: a topology generator, a circuit to DS3 bundler, and a multiplex layout system. This tool is compact enough to run on a personal computer. Each of these three modules is described, and sample results are provided.>