Speaker: Anne Roberts
Candidate for Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Time: 5:05 PM
Place: Trustee Hall 215
Supervisor: Dr. Richard Kopec
Title: Network Simulation

Abstract: Reverse path forwarding (RPF) is a multicast routing algorithm which is a method used for sending a packet from one sender to multiple receivers with a single send operation over a computer network. This type of protocol is important for network applications that require the delivery of packets from one or more senders to a group of receivers. An example of multicast routing is the transfer of a software upgrade from the developer to the users needing the upgrade. A Java simulation was created to illustrate the RPF algorithm from the viewpoint of a router. Users enter the emission rate of packets sent per second to the router. By displaying packets entering an input link to a router and exiting an output link to a receiver, it illustrates how the RPF algorithm operates in a computer network. Before the creation of this simulation, there was no known interactive model that illustrated the RPF multicast routing algorithm. Extensive testing was done throughout the development process and this application meets all requirements. Currently, there are plans to use this network simulation as a teaching tool for St. Edward’s students.