ABSTRACT
Network planning, design and optimization should be an important component of a network management process despite its benign neglect by most network managers. Such a benign neglect resulted from the fact that network design was traditionally accomplished through the use of powerful mainframe computers. Since these computers required the use of large tariff-related databases, a great deal of time was spent in entering input data. A great deal of time was also spent on interpreting the output data that invariably came in the form of a thick stack of computer printouts. Lack of graphics provided no illustration of network topologies. Furthermore, the user was always kept out of the computer room. This made the network design process a mysterious effort scaring even the most experienced network manager. Most of the modern network design tools still employ the old philosophy, which prevents the network managers from deriving the full benefits of new innovations in computer hardware and software.
