SBIR-STTR Award

Distributed live, virtual, and constructive simulations are used extensively in both military and commercial applications. These distributed simulation systems inherently rely on the proper performance of the underlying network infrastructure. In performing this research, we plan to extend standard network monitoring techniques to predict and measure the performance of real-time, distributed simulation network infrastructure. The ultimate goal of this research is to convert network performance observations into user and application relevant performance metrics that can be used to collaboratively predict, monitor, and diagnose network performance in geographically distributed, non-homogeneous networks.

Benefit:
Research will develop new technologies for performing network system performance prediction and monitoring via collaborative, multi-layered visualization techniques. First we investigate how to measure large-scale distributed networks using minimally intrusive methods and network resources. Second, we look at presenting the information about the network health in a usable, actionable manner to help manage the network infrastructure.

Keywords:
Modeling And Simulation, Real-Time Distributed Simulation, Network Monitoring, Network Behavior, Collaboration, Dis, Hla, Tena

The development of a distributed simulation network monitoring and management system is critical to achieving the capability to detect and isolate small abnormalities in network applications or portions of the distributed simulation network before they reach a catastrophic stage. The objective of this R&D project is to continue development of such a network management system consisting of innovative network management and monitoring infrastructure, deep packet inspection, network performance inferencing, and abnormality detection and diagnosis technologies that will enhance the network administrator’s and distributed simulation event director’s ability to successfully conduct complex, many-player, long-duration events. In Phase I, feasibility of these technologies was conclusively demonstrated in an integrated fashion in a laboratory network environment. Phase II will mature the technologies and the integrated network management system through Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 and 6 with TRL 6 acceptance testing conducted in the Aeronautical Systems Center Simulation and Analysis Facility (SIMAF). BENEFIT

Keywords:
Network Management, Network Monitoring, Network Performance Inferencing, Deep Packet Inspection, Network Abnormality Detection, Network Abnormality Diagnosis