Design validation of service delivery platform using modeling and simulation - [Modeling and simulation: a practical guide for network designers and developers]

The value of models as tools to design and plan networks, aid the decision-making process, and as methods to conceptualize abstract ideas is well known. Models play a key role in evaluating varied design options and assist in discovering design issues that likely will impact performance. In the service delivery platform, spreadsheet models can be applied to learn about strategic traffic volume, estimate end-to-end latencies and box capacities, whereas more complex simulation models can help to clarify an understanding of the dynamic aspects and trade-offs that influence the end-user experience. This article discusses how modeling and simulation effectively help validate the design of various components constituting the service delivery platform.