Dynamic simulation of a national resource sharing computer network
Abstract
A national computer network for research and educational institutions has frequently been proposed as a means for meeting selected computing needs in an effective manner. Although many technical problems remain, it is generally believed that the most difficult issues facing such a network revolve around economic, political, and organizational considerations. In order to investigate these issues, a model of a computer network was developed to test a variety of networking alternatives, and to evaluate the ways in which a network would impact its member institutions.
This paper describes the use of the simulation model in a three day gaming exercise by sixteen institutional teams who made decisions about their likely participation in a network that “progressed” through several years of simulated time. Participants were able to interact dynamically with the decisions and actions of other participants, to deal with a variety of network issues, and to explore the relative advantages and disadvantages of various modes and levels of network participation.
This project represented an unusual and different application of a simulation game in that it concentrated on the policy and behavioral aspects (i.e., people concerns) of what is usually considered to be a technical design problem. The players were real decision makers, playing themselves as they relate to their own institutions, rather than students. Consequently, it was possible to focus on learning about the implications of national networking, rather than merely demonstrate or teach known principles.
References
[1]
Emery, J.C., "Implementation of a Facilitating Network," Policies, Strategies and Plans for Computing in Higher Education, EDUCOM, Princeton, New Jersey, 1976.
[2]
EDUNET News. Vol's 1-3. (Inserts to EDUCOM Bulletin of the Interuniversity Communications Council, Volumes 11 to 13.) Spring 1976 thru Fall 1978.
[3]
Greenberger, M., J. Aronofsky, J. L. McKenney, and W. F. Massey, eds., Networks for Research and Education: Sharing of Computer and Information Resources Nationwide, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1974.
[4]
Nielsen, N., and R. Segal, "Implications of a National Computer Network for Higher Education and Science Research," Proceedings: National Computing Conference, Anaheim, California, June, 1978.
[5]
Nielsen, N., and R. Segal, "Simulation of Institutional Behavior in a National Networking Environment," Proceedings: Winter Simulation Conference Gaithersburg, Maryland, December 6-8, 1976.
[6]
Report to the National Science Foundation on the Study to Develop a Research Plan for a Simulation and Gaming Project for Inter-Institutional Networking, Grant GJ-41429, EDUCOM, Princeton, New Jersey, August, 1974.
[7]
Report to the National Science Foundation on the Simulation and Gaming Project for Inter-Institutional Computer Networking, Grant MCS75-03634, EDUCOM, Princeton, New Jersey, (in preparation).
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- Dynamic simulation of a national resource sharing computer network
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- AIIE: AIIE
- ORSA: Operations Research Society of America
- SCS: Society for Computer Simulation
- TIMS
- SIGSIM: ACM Special Interest Group on Simulation and Modeling
- IEEE-CS: Computer Society
- SHARE: SHARE
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IEEE Computer Society Press
Washington, DC, United States
Publication History
Published: 01 December 1978
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