Defence

Network Management & the Future

IDLS 2003

Steve Bridges

Operations support

Thales Air operations

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Scope

•Introduction

•Network Management Evolution

•Future Development

………………...& Beyond

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Tactical Data Links

20 years experience of developing Data Link solutions

Implementation of all NATO Tactical Data Links

Message Processing, Data & Track Management Software Development

Turnkey Stand-alone Situational Awareness products

Link-to-link Buffer Systems

Multi-link management systems and understanding

Remote Terminal Management

Tactical Mobility

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JAPNMS

Genesis of the TAO NMS - UK JAPNMS.

The JAPNMS facilitates the import of Network Design information and provides:

Daily network planning activities

Dynamic time slot management and violation monitoring

Relay Mode Management

Civil Aviation Frequency Clearance monitoring

Remote terminal initialisation and crypto keying.

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JAPNMS

JAPNMS is a fixed installation with 4 ground buffers providing network management coverage of the main eastern UK training areas.

The system has three control stations with one being active, one active stand-by and the other offline.

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JAPNMS Architecture

Core & HCI

Terminal Routing

Stand-by Synchronisation

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Transportable JAPNMS Facility

More recently the RAF identified the need for a rapid reaction facility to support out of area operations.

The Transportable JAPNMS Facility (TJF) provides an entire Link 16 suite capable of supporting the needs of:

Joint Force Air Component HQ

Joint Interface Control Officers

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TJF Architecture

NCM Workstation

NCM Workstation

NCM Workstation

Server

Client

Client

Terminal Interface

Unit

Terminal

1553b

Network Buffer Site(s)

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TJF Architecture

Orbix Talk

Core

Terminal Routing

Stand-by Synchronisation

Server

Client Display

Client Display

(Inactive)

Up to 16

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Transmit/Receive

Terminal Initialisation

Time slot usage

Duty Factors

Actual Connectivity

FCAViolation

Monitoring

Theoretical Connectivity

IDS/JIC Management

Relay Zone Management

Automatic Capacity Re-allocation

Design Import Export

Timeslot ViolationMonitoring

OPTASK Link GenerationPartitioned Pool

Management

FCA Violation Prediction

Over the Air Initialisation

Low Level Timeslot Management

Manage CVLLs

Capability Map

Optimise Timeslot Allocations

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NATO ACCS NCM

TAO selected to provide the Link 16 Network Control & Management capability as part of the NATO ACCS LOC1 programme.

Following our assimilation into the Thales organisation this is our first opportunity to marry together the: Thales Comms DLIP/Link T

ACSI (TRS) Command system

and TAO NCM.

These products are now being exploited for a number of prospects.

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NCM Concept

GOALS Create a solution that facilitates but does not enshrine

today’s practice.

Flexibility to enable the evolving policy to be layered on top of the solution.

Allow independent management and operation within a link 16 network.

Allow the devolution of the link 16 network management tasks across the NATO ACCS system.

Enable operation of a unified link 16 network with multiple ACCS and non-ACCS entities managing the same network.

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Introduction

Scope of Supply L16 Network Management Software for the NATO ACCS

LOC 1 programme.

7 Licences - 1 MTIF, 1 STVF and 5 V&V sites.

Schedule ITP received Nov 2001.

Contract signed June 2002.

Major ECP introduced May 2003.

Revised contract completion June 2005. Incremental delivery - 7 builds (Build 1/2 completed)

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NCM Concept

Centralised NCM Approach:

Central NCM, a Network Control & Management System The NCM provides centralised control over

many IDPF providing an extensive suite of functions in support of Operation Network (OPNET) Management.

Terminal Site NCM, an Initialisation & Data Preparation Facility (IDPF) The IDPF provides the capability to construct

Initialisation Data Files (IDF), to initialise terminals, monitor terminal health and supports network participation.

Central NCM

Terminal SiteNCMs (1..60)

Terminals(1..60)

TerminalControl &Status

NetworkManagementMessages

J.xMessages

Statistics &PPLI

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NCM Concept

Sample AET ConfigurationsAET

T

T

Terminal

T

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T

T

T

T

Library Mgmt & Planning IDF Construction Network Participation

Network Management Configurations Sub-Network Management Configurations

T

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T T

T

Central SW

Term Site SW

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NCM Concept

NCM CLUSTER:

Interconnection of Central NCM and Terminal Site NCMs

Fully capable and self-contained Network Management capability.

From a member nation's perspective this configuration would allow the control and management of a Link 16 Network on a day to day basis.

Central NCM

Terminal Site NCM

Terminal

Key

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NCM Concept

A Cluster has a single Active Central NCM and optionally a single Stand-by Central NCM at an alternate site.

Active and Stand-by maintain synchronisation.

Stand-by takes over in case of loss of Active Central NCM site.

Active Central NCM

Terminal Site NCM

Terminal

Key

Stand-by Central NCM

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NCM Concept

When operating a unified network the Central NCM of each participating nation's cluster may be connected together.

When connected, the various NCMs communicate with one another and facilitate sub network management.

Responsibilities are planned in advance but can be overridden at operator discretion at any cluster.

French Cluster

German Cluster

Italian Cluster

Belgian Cluster

Central NCM

AWCIES WAN

Key

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Major New Features For NCM

Major New Features

STANAG Edition 3

Sub Network Management

Multi Net Management

Multi Hop Management

Dual Redundancy

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FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

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Future Developments

TAO has committed private venture to study :

Multi Link Management (L11, Sat-J, JRE)

Multi MIDS Network Management

Multi-terminal type Management

HMI Enhancements Operator Journals Improved NMS features

Automatic, ‘Dynamic’ management

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Conclusion

TAO offers:

The most sophisticated, operational Link 16 Network Management software

in service today.

The level of support and training demanded by the users of operational

systems in the UK and NATO military.

Mature core software.

A low-risk, OTS, value for money solution.

Benefits of UK & NATO European interoperability

Long-term future proofing through continued product development.

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Any Questions?

TAO welcome visit to

Internal Stand 17

External Stand