SBIR-STTR Award

SFA, Inc. proposes to perform innovative research into developing a software-based Bandwidth Management System (BMS) that will provide Naval communicators with an integrated capability to manage, monitor, and control multiple network devices across both red (secure) and black (unsecure) enclaves. The application will be hosted on a Multi Level Security (MLS) workstation. This capability is necessary to abstract the complexity associated with managing new state-of-the-art network-centric devices that will be deployed by the Navy to improve bandwidth utilization and data throughput in support of the FORCEnet strategy. Benefits The anticipated benefits of SFA's proposed research into developing a software-based Bandwidth Management System (BMS) are as follows. It will allow the Navy to realize the benefits of new network-centric equipment while mitigating the complexity risk associated with managing these devices. It will do so by abstracting much of the complexity associated with the equipment, thereby reducing the incremental training costs associated with deploying this new equipment. More importantly, this application will allow the Navy to define and implement network-centric equipment interoperability rules and standards to realize an effective QoS implementation. This standardization will translate directly into improved bandwidth utilization, reduced time to implement operational communications plans, and decreased support costs. All of these will offer significant benefits to SPAWAR as well as the operational Navy. Keywords Internet Protocol Connectivity Bandwidth Management Data Throughput FORCEnet Quality of Service (QoS) Communication Automation Multi Level Security (MLS)

SFA will continue to research and develop a Bandwidth Management System (BMS) to enable Naval communicators to monitor and control network devices across both secure and unsecure enclaves. This effort will be part of an overall software architecture, called "the Radio Room Middle Manager (RRMM)," to dynamically monitor and reconfigure all Naval communications resources. The RRMM will be incorporated into the CVN-77 Radio Room Automation (RRA) program, which will integrate all radio room capabilities and equipment into one centrally managed communications capability. During Phase II, SFA will develop prototype software for four "plug-in" components of the RRMM: the Digital Dashboard, a centralized status display for all radio room equipment and systems; the Circuit Manager, which will provide easy-to-understand views of voice, video, and data circuits across network, baseband, and RF assets; a Security solution to allow the RRMM to manage systems and devices on multiple network enclaves; and a set of standard Management and Control interfaces to various systems and equipment. SFA's prototype will serve as the foundation for Phase III production. The resultant product will give the Navy dynamic bandwidth management capabilities, which are essential to achieving the transformation goals outlined in "Sea Power 21" and the FORCEnet architecture.

Keywords:
DYNAMIC BANDWIDTH MANAGEMENT, NETWORK CENTRIC, NETWORK MANAGEMENT, FORCENET, RADIO ROOM AUTOMATION, TRUSTED OPERATING SYSTEMS, MLS, CVN-77