Mission Aware Configuration Management for Agile Ad-Hoc Wireless Networking

Tactical ad-hoc networks of the future must provide a high degree of re-configurability to increase the resilience, agility and robustness needed to support fast-paced networked operations. This paper describes a dynamic mission-aware network management solution for reconfiguring adaptable airborne networks. The solution builds on a policy-based network-management architecture, called NetTempo, which was developed by Scientific Research Corporation (SRC) for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) sponsored Mission-Based Quality of Service (MBQoS) program. The paper provides an overview of basic concepts in policy-based network management and mission-based management. It describes how the MBQoS / NetTempo design allows for dynamic reconfiguration of layer 3 parameters when triggered by transitions in mission phase. Enhancements are discussed to extend mission-based control and management to include Commander´s Intent and multi-layer policy management (from the physical waveform layer through the application layer).