Networks Laboratory

Networks Laboratory

Nguyen Engineering Building, Room 3219
Tel: (703) 993-1602

Dr. Brian L. Mark
Office : Nguyen Engineering Building, Room 3220
Office Phone : (703) 993-4069
Dept. Fax : (703) 993-1601
Email Address : bmark AT gmu DOT edu

Mailing address:
ECE Department
George Mason University
MSN 1G5
4400 University Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030

Overview

The Networks Laboratory is directed by Dr. Brian L. Mark of the Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Our research interests lie in the design, modeling, analysis, and performance evaluation of networks, primarily communication networks. The nature of the research may involve development of theoretical results, algorithm design, numerical computation, computer simulation, hardware and/or software development, or some combination of the above, depending on the particular research topic.

Our major focus is on the design, architecture, and performance of communication networks, encompassing wireline, wireless networks, and heterogeneous networks. We are interested in all aspects of network architecture from the physical layer to the application layer. The main purpose of a communication network is to allow multiple users to communicate reliably, efficiently, and securely with one another. Networks of the future will be expected to support a variety of applications and media with differing service requirements. As a subject of research, the complexity and breadth of communication networks offers many challenges. Research on communication networks draws on many other areas including communications theory, computer science, optimization theory, signal processing, and systems theory. Important research questions of general interest include:

• How should the network be architected and designed?
• What is the capacity of the network?
• How can we evaluate the performance of the network?
• How can the resources of the network be managed or controlled to improve performance?
• What methodologies or algorithms can be developed to improve network performance?
• How can the network be made more secure?
• What are the network design tradeoffs among performance, reliability, security,and efficiency?

Specific research areas that are currently being pursued within the lab include:

• Estimation and control of communication networks
• Performance modeling of communication networks
• Dynamic spectrum management in cognitive radio networks

Other research areas that have been investigated in recent years within the lab include:

• Handoff algorithms for cellular networks
• Fast simulation of large queueing networks
• Localization and mobility management in wireless networks
• Security and quality-of-service integration in ad hoc networks
• High-speed switch and router architectures
• Packet filters for DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) mitigation based on network processor technology