Assured QoS and Collaboration in Tactical Networks

We propose to develop a prototype QoS (Quality of Service) system optimized for the specific requirements of real-time collaboration applications (Chat, VoIP, Video) in tactical networks. This addresses the acute need to manage the battlespace bandwidth deficit problem and to assure prioritized and preemptive information delivery in low-bandwidth, high-latency networks. Our approach is based on industry standard protocols and DoD Standards, (DiffServ, RSVP, SCPS, RBSCP, SIP, H.323, OSPF, ABR, IPv6, JTIC), for monitoring, controlling, and securing real-time collaboration applications with QoS assured delivery. Innovations include performance optimization over various networks (satellite, airborne, mobile) and a comprehensive policy management-based approach, that controls for: QoS Operations and Management including layer 2/layer 3 QoS marking, QoS based routing, bandwidth policing & rate limits, call admission control, policy based session routing, shortest path media routing, SLA monitoring and verification, and Application Level Security. In Phase I we demonstrated the efficacy of our approach by demonstrating a QoS approach for assuring audio traffic in a lab configuration. In Phase 2 we provide a system test in a relevant operational environment for VoIP and Chat. The test uses the operational schema, and QoS markings and treatments to demonstrate the interoperability and scalability needed in such environments.