Metropolitan area network planning and design

Abstract The subject of this paper is a planning methodology under development for application to broadband networks. The problem, faced and analysed in a general way, originates a sub‐problem of particular interest: the planning of MANs (Metropolitan Area Network). In particular the DQDB MAN, thanks to its architectural features constitutes the most promising solution in the short‐medium term in order to offer telecommunication broadband services, and represents a well‐located step in the evolution towards the B‐ISDN. The MAN planning methodology is presented, with particular focus on some software tools developed for the solution of the main tasks involved in the methodology, which applies to all environments and situations of interest. In particular the methodology has been applied in the project of the experimental metropolitan network, to be implemented in the Florence area in the frame of the C.N.R. Telecommunication Project.