Publications

This report documents the work of IST-124/RTG-061. The group has contributed to a better understanding (through analysis, simulation, network emulation and expert opinions) on how to build interoperable heterogeneous mobile networks at the tactical edge. Challenges imposed by different security architectures are identified. Several design choices are discussed and compared to help the network planner to orchestrate the best network design for a given operation. Both mechanisms to provide end-to-end connectivity in the networks (routing) as well as solution for efficient utilization (resource management and quality of service) of the scarce network resources, has been studied. Necessary information exchange interfaces to enable heterogeneous coalition network connectivity at the tactical edge, have been identified. Monitoring of three states of network health (normal, reduced, last effort) is proposed to improve resource management and service quality in the network. The group has implemented a cloud-like shared emulated network platform for doing joint experiments. A shared network emulation environment can improve international research collaboration and speed up the time from early research results until solutions are ready to be tested for standardization. A well connected, resource efficient network can improve Training, Materiel and Interoperability.