COMPUTER-AIDED-DESIGN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NETWORKS

A computer-aided-design method and apparatus for generating a design of desired products, and selecting products to implement the design of a network. The method, as performed by the computer, includes the step of (1) retrieving a number of network infrastructure specifications, (2) retrieving a number of networking rules, (3) generating a design that defines characteristics in the desired products of the network, and (4) selecting a number of networking products from a storage medium to implement the design of the network. The infrastructure includes a number of physical locations to house the network, with the design at least being based on the infrastructure specifications. The selection process is based on the rules and the infrastructure specifications. Note that in one embodiment, the implementation at least specifies one communication characteristic between two of the products to be housed in two physical locations. One apparatus for the invention includes an input device, a processing device, a storage medium, a report generation device and a graphics generation device.