Interconnection of heterogeneous defense data networks

The authors discuss fundamental issues of interconnection of heterogeneous data networks where users access to long-haul networks, as well as to local-premises networks. Methods of interconnecting data networks are introduced, and their performance results are studied in detail. For each of the interconnection methods, various aspects of network performance and their implications for network planning are studied. The three major interconnection methods are the use of gateways, the use of statistical multiplexers, and the interconnection via PBXs (private branch exchanges). Next, some conditions under which the gateway interconnection gives better/worse performance, in terms of minimizing the mean end-to-end packet delays, than the multiplexer interconnection are derived. The authors also describe the PBX interconnection as another promising alternative and discuss related performance factors