The Shapeshifting Tactical Network

The Shapeshifting Tactical Network

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The use of Software-Defined Networking in Next Generation Tactical Networks

Tomer Nuri

10098243_m featureThe secret of war lies in the communications”, although I’m quite sure that when Napoleon Bonaparte forged this sentence he didn’t have the topic at hand in mind, still the basic principle applies.


Trusted and timely Communication has always being the backbone of any successful military campaign, acting as a distributed nerve system, receiving precious signaling and transmitting life changing orders throughout the battlefield.

Even though the technology used for strategic and tactical networks has changed dramatically over the last 10 years in every possible domain from Fixed to Wireless and from stationary to all out mobile displacement, all in conjunction to adopting Next generation networks elements such as MPLS, Carrier grade infrastructures and cutting edge converged applications, yet all are still bound to the classical approach of Predetermined and dedicated configurations.

Now on the brink of the next network evolution with the advancement in SDN technology, we are facing a rare opportunity to transform military tactical Networks from fixed and cumbersome to a dynamic “Shapeshifting” automated network.

While SDN was not designed or developed initially for military Applications, (SDN was initially invented in Stanford University for Campus automation, than evolved to the Next Generation Datacenter). The Technology now holds the potential to radically change tactical network operations.

SDN – Software Defined Networking, enables the physical separation of control plane from data plane that natively co-reside in every network, security or any other Major ICT element.

By removing the control plane (e.g. the decision layer) from the distributed architecture and centrally position it in a secured centralized Controller, we are able to minimize distributed threats and assure network durability, but above all we are able to increase simplicity and transform the network from a predetermined configurable infrastructure to a dynamic, automated programmable infrastructure.

SDN contribution to the vast increase in network dynamics and automation also translates to increased network agility, which is the cornerstone of every effective military technology infrastructure.

iHLS – Israel Homeland Security

Military campaigns are all but predetermined and the ability to adapt to evolving scenarios in real time can have meaningful effects on the outcome. Having a network or even a complete ICT infrastructure that can adapt at the same rate as real life situation develop can become a powerful balance shifter.

SDN utilizes an intelligent centralized controller and a distributed plentiful signaling layer to receive real-time signaling and to dynamically re-program the ICT infrastructure at will. The potential for the tactical network is huge; every ICT infrastructure from the backbone to the last deployed field installation can be dynamically molded and programed based on the campaign requirement and advancement. Whether the campaign starts with lightweight mobile units and evolve to massive ground assault or a joint forces operation, SDN approach can support the changing requirements by dynamically programing the Network to meet new criteria and necessities.

In addition, critical changes to the network can be handled in a robust and agile manner with minimum errors or risks. Just think on any of the following scenarios: An Unmanned Vehicle identified a real time event and need increase network bandwidth, a situation requires changing the distribution of video feeds routes.

A covert field unit requires an emergency download of a GIS data or a support unit need immediate access to converged mobile application. All of those can be real-life events happening at the battlefield in real time. Making all of those changes and modification on a standard distributed network will require multiple man-hours and since network modifications done in a haste, are an error prone procedures, some of those modification can result in network downtime or in creation of risky vulnerabilities.

In a SDN network, the centralized controller constantly keeps an updated inventory database of every ICT element and the connection matrix and can trigger dynamic changes to the network and to complementary elements.

SDN enabled application can take the automation process up a notch by communicating with the controller directly whenever changes are required.

My recommendation for whenever considering a migration to a Software-Defined Network is to start by exploring what the industry has to offer in the context of strategic-critical infrastructures.

Although most vendors from the entire ICT spectrum will promptly declare that they are SDN-Ready or have a SDN strategy or a roadmap at the very least, yet a military grade application of SDN will require extensive readiness from both Network and Security elements as well as a proven SDN controller or an environment that can integrate with an Open Platform.