On managing intelligent satellite networks - an evolutionary in policy based distributed management

Early satellite based communication systems for voice and data consisted of bent pipe communications and could be managed through a traditional TT&C system. Newer systems are emerging where satellite payloads are now doing more than just repeating a signal, they are interpreting the information received and making intelligent decisions on how to process the data. Satellite payloads exist and new ones are being designed to operate like network nodes in the Internet. Capacity is also allocated by these latest generation payloads dynamically, in response to changing user needs and environments. Managing these systems with a COTS network management system is not a viable solution. The advent of intelligent payloads requires network management systems that provide more than just hardware status. Instead, higher layer functions such as capacity management, dynamic bandwidth allocation, quality of service in a packet switched environment, and packet routing must be planned and managed. Policy based network management and supporting standards based management protocols serve as the building blocks for distributed, intelligent management. These satellite network management topics are surveyed in this paper