Binh Nguyen

A scalable testbed for emulating wireless Mobile Ad-hoc Networks

To support research in wireless mobile networks and mobile ad-hoc network security, the U.S. army research laboratory (ARL) has developed a ldquoWireless emulation laboratoryrdquo (WEL). A key component of the WEL is a Mobile Ad-hoc network (MANET) emulation testbed on which algorithms and applications can be subjected to emulated wireless network conditions. The testbed is based on the MANE (mobile ad-hoc network emulator) software originally developed by the naval research laboratory (NRL). It has since been improved through the incorporation of advanced modeling methods and computing technologies. Important additional features include (1) the integration of the terrain integrated rough earth model (TIREM) propagation model, (2) the use of virtual machine technologies to scale the size of the network, and (3) the inclusion of custom-designed mobility patterns to create a specific dynamic topology of a MANET under test. Currently the WEL testbed can emulate a 101-node MANET and, through the use of virtualization technologies, will scale well beyond that number. This paper discusses the current capabilities of ARLpsilas WEL for conducting empirical evaluation and demonstration of MANET technologies and concludes with planned future enhancements.

The ARL Topodef Tool for Designing Mobile Ad-Hoc Network Topologies to Support Emulation

Emulating a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) often calls for a way to specify a dynamic topology as a function of time. The development and evaluation of MANET technologies require a method to generate controllable topologies to ease experimentation with various scenarios. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) developed the ARL Topodef¿ topology-definition tool to meet this requirement. The tool enables the user to visually design and verify an ad-hoc topology by placing the participating nodes at exact locations and creating specific data communication links. This paper provides an overview of two supported emulation environments, summarizes the design process, and documents some essential features and benefits of the tool and novel methods for creating desired dynamic topologies. The current use of the tool at various government and industrial laboratories attests to its relevancy, reliability, effectiveness, and usefulness.

An agent-based vulnerability assessment system intended for tactical digitized networks

(U) Preliminary results, progress to date, and plans to develop CyberSleuth for tactical digitized communications and information networks are reported in this paper. CyberSleuth is a conceptual prototype of an autonomously adaptive agent-based vulnerability assessment system, developed by the USA Army Research Laboratory and its partners, capable of providing continuous protection of resource-constrained tactical-network computing equipment using genetic algorithms, dynamic object mechanisms, and agent technologies. The system has been successfully demonstrated on nonmilitary networks consisting of heterogeneous hardware platforms running disparate operating systems. Technical features of CyberSleuth and procedural issues for its eventual deployment in a tactical network are described and discussed in this paper with special emphasis on its mobility, functionality and integrity.

Transformation and animation of mobility traces

A method for transforming mobility traces of a mobile ad-hoc network (MANET) into a virtual network topology and for graphically animating and editing them is described in this paper. Examples of heterogeneous mobility traces used in this study were generally time-stamped positions of each participating node in a MANET, but they were structured differently in diverse file formats and came from different sources. The files storing the traces presented in this paper consisted of ldquotickrdquo files created by Sparta, Inc.; Qualnet/Glomosim files generated from the Web-based generic mobility simulation framework (GMSF); ldquoAHASrdquo files taken from field exercises; and internally produced topology-definition files storing specifications for creating a virtual network topology. The presented method enables the use of externally generated mobility traces to serve three major research purposes: (1) providing a graphical aid in the study of movement patterns, (2) animating a dynamic network topology, and (3) creating derivatives to fit a particular need using a topology-definition tool that was developed by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) called the ARL Topodef Tool. Detailed data structures of the transformed mobility traces and screenshots of their network topologies are also included in this paper. The method was recently implemented and added to the ARL Topodef tool to provide its users a way to leverage existing resources and re-use mobility traces, and thus it reduced internal development effort and enabled the try-out of mobility scenarios developed by others more conveniently.

Collaboration technology for the warfighter

Research efforts to date and current plans for introducing innovative collaboration technology into the military decision-making process are described and discussed. Our efforts have been focusing on developing an integrated system using an existing combat information processor (CIP) and developing applications requiring CIP services provided by internal CIP servers. Communicating and sharing data with the CIP is a technical challenge for collaborating systems. Preliminary results from early experiments with the CIP indicate that we need more robust communication architecture for the collaboration tool and a way to better manage collaborating applications. We have acquired and successfully installed a CIP development kit and developed experimental applications interfacing with one of the CIP servers to acquire a better understanding of the functionality of the CIP.