The development of a method for comparing the operation and performance of metropolitan area networks

A unique method for selection of a protocol for implementing Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs) is discussed in this dissertation report. Given a number of different protocols, this method enables the selecting of the protocol which is most suited to the requirements of a given MAN topology and load. The method allows performance of a protocol to be compared from three different perspectives; (1) functional, (2) analytical and (3) load and configuration simulation. The application of the different methods of comparison gives insight into which “MAN protocol meets the requirements of a network best. Since established and developing protocols can be compared against each other, the method allows short term arid long term networking designs to be effectively planned