Applicability of Open-Source Software Routers on the Design of a Flexible Network-Centric MILSATCOM Terminal
David Scher, Andrew Gorski, Ting-Shuo Che · 26th International Communications Satellite Systems Conference (ICSSC) · 2008
The recent advancements of general purpose processor t echnology and open -source software for networking equipment allow open -source software routers to be considered for a next -generation network -centric MILSATCOM terminal. Next generation military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) terminals will be design ed to include IP network functionality as a means for interoperability with other Department of Defense (DoD) communications systems and to take full advantage of the statistical multiplexing benefits of packet -switched sate llite communications (SATCOM). A low complexity and cost MILSATCOM terminal architecture may include general purpose processing hardware for the implementation of a terminal IP router executing an open -source IP network stack. In this paper we evaluate the current state of the art open -source software router systems for functional and performance applicability to the MILSATCOM terminal and propose an alternate architecture better suited to performing in the MILSATCOM environment.