An algorithmic approach to generating network traffic requirements

This paper presents a formal technique for generating traffic matrices for distributed data networks. Traffic matrices are used by engineers to design new networks or, more typically, plan for changes in existing networks. The present technique combines measured data from existing parts of the network with estimated data from proposed design changes to calculate a set of traffic matrices. Network hardware and applications are defined by a weighted connection matrix. Traffic is estimated using a set of statistics for different types of applications. Matrices specifying traffic between network Devices, LANs, MANs, and WANs can be obtained.