Multi-Scale Integrated Information and Telecommunications System (MIITS)

The MIITS Module is a scalable, end-to-end simulation environment for representing and analyzing extremely large, complex communication networks of any type, including cellular networks, public switched telephone networks (PSTNs), the Internet, and ad hoc mesh networks. MIITS offers network representation in several resolutions, ranging from packet-level simulation to flow-based approaches.

At one end of the spectrum, MIITS constructs detailed representations of network loads based on individual device usage and real survey data. At the other end of the spectrum, MIITS employs multiple abstraction levels for network protocol stack simulations paired with powerful distributed discrete-event simulation technology to achieve scalability. MIITS has been developed to fill the technology gap that exists in (1) methods for design, analysis, and development of current and future large-scale communication networks and (2) infrastructure-interdependency-aware simulation and analysis tools for wireless and wire-line networks.

Key Features

The MIITS sub-module Network Generation creates a realistic model of network infrastructures (such as PSTN switches or Internet routers). When configured as part of the UIS, MIITS receives demographic, mobility, and device ownership information from the Interacting Urban Infrastructure and Users (UPMoST) module for individuals in a synthetic population. The Device Generation sub-module creates end-devices (e.g., desktop computers, phones) for the population. The Session Generation sub-module creates sessions (e.g. calls, e-mails) between individuals of the population. Synthesizing the outputs from those sub-modules, the Network Simulation sub-module simulates the time-dependent load in the network with a user-defined abstraction level. The Core Simulation Framework provides the distributed discrete-event simulation engine that the other sub-modules rely upon and the System Integration & Applications sub-module prepares the output analyses with the help of the Analysis & Visualization sub-module.

MIITS’ modular design provides the following advantages:

• MIITS is interoperable with other infrastructure simulations that are integrated with the UIS system architecture, permitting interdependency-analysis studies, such as the effects of a power outage on communication networks.
• MIITS is specifically designed to scale to 10 million nodes in the short term and 1 billion nodes in the long term. It is also designed for technological scaling.
• MIITS can accommodate new types of networks, such as novel wireless ad hoc mesh networks, sensor networks, or Wi-Fi hotspots accurately and efficiently.
• MIITS can be used to evaluate federal policies on the use and operation of communication network infrastructures, especially regarding the potential effects of the policies on national security.
• MIITS is designed to discover and respond to communication network vulnerabilities through its contingency analysis and its cyber-attack analysis features.