  This research concentrates on the design and analysis of an algorithm
referred to as Virtual Network Configuration (VNC) which uses predicted future
states of a system for faster network configuration and management. VNC is
applied to the configuration of a wireless mobile ATM network. VNC is built on
techniques from parallel discrete event simulation merged with constraints from
real-time systems and applied to mobile ATM configuration and handoff.
  Configuration in a mobile network is a dynamic and continuous process.
Factors such as load, distance, capacity and topology are all constantly
changing in a mobile environment. The VNC algorithm anticipates configuration
changes and speeds the reconfiguration process by pre-computing and caching
results. VNC propagates local prediction results throughout the VNC enhanced
system. The Global Positioning System is an enabling technology for the use of
VNC in mobile networks because it provides location information and accurate
time for each node.
  This research has resulted in well defined structures for the encapsulation
of physical processes within Logical Processes and a generic library for
enhancing a system with VNC. Enhancing an existing system with VNC is straight
forward assuming the existing physical processes do not have side effects. The
benefit of prediction is gained at the cost of additional traffic and
processing. This research includes an analysis of VNC and suggestions for
optimization of the VNC algorithm and its parameters.
