Netml: a language and website for collaborative work on networks and their algorithms

Abstract

[Abstract]: This paper describes a language, Netml, for describing networks, a web site which provides a collaborative working environment for use and development of network data files and software for networks. The language, Netml, is based on XML. An XML schema for this language has been developed. Algorithms for availability analysis, loss analysis, routing, traffic flow analysis, and link dimensioning have also been made available on the Netml web site and are described in outline in this paper. A repository of networks has also being set up and is described here. In addition to the algorithms for network analysis and design, scripts for converting dia files to Netml, and for generating postscript from Netml have also been developed. The software and the web site are particularly directed to educational purposes and enable students of network analysis and design to specify networks and apply an increasing range of algorithms to these networks in the course of their studies.