Abstract: A method of simulating a scenario in a telecommunications network is provided. The method comprises: generating a network definition expressed in a common data model readable by first and second routing engines; generating a set of demand matrices describing demands on the network; incorporating a scenario definition into one or more of the network definition and the demand matrices; automatically determining a first aspect of a new network state associated with the scenario definition by determining a first optimised set of routes using the first routing engine based on the network definition and at least one of the demand matrices; and automatically determining a second aspect of the new network state by determining a second optimised set of routes using the second routing engine based on the first optimised set of routes and at least one other of the demand matrices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a network topology that satisfies one or more service requirements under one or more constraints. The method comprises generating a set of candidate network topologies from a set of network resources, evaluating each of the candidate network topologies based on one or more constraints and one or more service requirements, and determining if a stop condition is satisfied. If the stop condition is not satisfied then the set of candidate network topologies is updated. If, however, the stop condition is satisfied then the best candidate network topology based on the evaluation is selected as the network topology.

Abstract: A method of simulating a scenario in a telecommunications network is provided. The method comprises: generating a network definition expressed in a common data model readable by first and second routing engines; generating a set of demand matrices describing demands on the network; incorporating a scenario definition into one or more of the network definition and the demand matrices; automatically determining a first aspect of a new network state associated with the scenario definition by determining a first optimised set of routes using the first routing engine based on the network definition and at least one of the demand matrices; and automatically determining a second aspect of the new network state by determining a second optimised set of routes using the second routing engine based on the first optimised set of routes and at least one other of the demand matrices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying the amount of a network's traffic that is attributable to each service running over the network. The method comprises generating a set of candidate demand vectors (each candidate demand vector comprising a predicted bandwidth value for each service) from the topology of the network, bandwidth utilization information for the network and routing information for the network; evaluating each of the candidate demand vectors against the bandwidth utilization information; and, determining if a stop condition is satisfied. If the stop condition is not satisfied then the set of candidate demand vectors is evolved. If, however, the stop condition is satisfied then the best candidate demand vector based on the evaluation is selected and output as the demand vector for the services.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a network topology for each of a plurality of demand scenarios. The method includes identifying, using an iterative process that involves generating and evolving a set of candidate network topologies, a network topology for the highest demand scenario. A network topology is then identified for the next highest demand scenario using the same iterative process, but this time the set of candidate network topologies is seeded to include the identified network topology for the highest demand scenario. This process repeats for each other demand scenario so that the set of candidate network topologies for a particular demand scenario is seeded with the identified network topology for the next highest demand scenario.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the topology of a network having variable traffic demands over a plurality of time periods. The method comprises generating a set of candidate network topologies from a set of network resources including a candidate network topology that satisfies each requirement for each service over the time periods. Each candidate network topology is then evaluated against one or more constraints for the set of service requirements for each time period. It is then determined if a stop condition is satisfied. If the stop condition is not satisfied then the set of candidate network topologies is evolved. If, however, the stop condition is satisfied then the best candidate network topology based on the evaluation is selected as the network topology.