Joseph Betser

Decentralizing control and intelligence in network management

Device failures, performance inefficiencies, and security compromises are some of the problems associated with the operations of networked systems. Effective management requires monitoring, interpreting, and controlling the behavior of the distributed resources. Current management systems pursue a platform-centered paradigm, where agents monitor the system and collect data, which can be accessed by applications via management protocols. We contrast this centralized paradigm with a decentralized paradigm, in which some or all intelligence and control is distributed among the network entities. Network management examples show that the centralized paradigm has some fundamental limitations. We explain that centralized and decentralized paradigms can and should coexist, and define characteristics that can be used to determine the degree of decentralization that is appropriate for a given network management application.

Implementing the intrusion detection exchange protocol

We describe the goals of the IETFs Intrusion Detection Working Group (IDWG) and the requirements for a transport protocol to communicate among intrusion detection systems. We then describe the design and implementation of IAP the first attempt at such a protocol. After a discussion of IAPs limitations, we discuss BEEP, a new IETF general framework for application protocols. We then describe the intrusion detection exchange protocol (IDXP), a transport protocol designed and implemented within the BEEP framework that fulfills the IDWG requirements for its transport protocol. We conclude by discussing probable future directions for this ongoing effort.

Transitioning DARPA Science and Technology Results into Space Capabilities

the context of benefits to NSS. In this paper, we further the analysis of the government and business case considerations for fractionated satellite programs based on knowledge gained over the previous year. We also believe that there is a true business case for some instantiations of the fractionated system which have become more appealing during the last year. This includes the game changer of having ESPA compatible space craft with modest delta V capability. Because of the authors affiliations, the government business strategy will be emphasized and the overall transition effort is designed to improve the government’s ability to encourage competition and innovation, become a knowledgeable buyer and more than ever, a true partner in assessing and mitigating technical risk. This last concept of technical risk will be an even stronger theme of this year’s paper. We also further develop the dialogue for transitioning programs at the portfolio level, with a focus on the Space Environmental Monitoring (SEM) missions and operational capabilities downstream. We believe it is possible to continue to synchronize the DARPA F6 to the DoD 5000.02 milestone processes. This synchronization is crucial for a successful transition and effectively acts to mitigate risks at all levels. We have a four part strategy for the technology transition of the key aspects of the F6 program and a process improvement strategy for technology transition which has broader applicability and is informed by our lessons learned with F6. We have also devised a set of metrics to begin the process of moving from the technology maturation to the technology transition phase to bridge into an executable program. By establishing a common vision for the future application of the DARPA technology and detailing a plan for both communities to share, it is possible to better set the stage for future successful transitions to NSS Systems.

Grid-enabling a vibroacoustic analysis application

This paper describes the process of grid-enabling a vibroacoustic analysis application using the Globus Toolkit 3.2.1. This is the first step in a project intended to grid-enable a suite of tools being developed as a service-oriented architecture for spacecraft telemetry analysis. Many of the applications in the suite are compute intensive and would benefit from significantly improved performance. In this paper we show the advantage of using Globus to grid-enable a single tool in a vibroacoustic analysis flow, with the result that using as few as eleven nodes, that tools runtime improved by a factor of eight. While communication overhead does affect performance, these results also indicate that coordinated communication and execution scheduling as part of workflow management would be able to significantly improve overall efficiency. In the larger context, our experience also shows that the service-oriented architecture approach, using grid computing tools, can provide a more flexible system design, in addition to improved performance and increased utilization of resources. We also provide some lessons learned in using the Globus Toolkit.

Extending Satellite Lifetimes in Geosynchronous Orbit with Servicing

This paper studies the potential demand for on-orbit satellite servicing in geosynchronous orbit (GEO). This paper assumes that the capability to perform on-orbit servicing in GEO exists and that operational vehicles could consider servicing alternatives as vehicles approach their end of operational life. Using a database of spacecraft anomalies maintained by The Aerospace Corporation, cases of GEO satellites launched since 1990 that are no longer operational are identified. The end of life may be due to unexpected failure or due to planned depletion of consumables. Each mission is evaluated to determine whether a servicing mission might have extended the useable lifetime of the spacecraft. Several degrees of servicing are determined to address different ways a satellite’s operational life ends. An evaluation summary is presented to show the need for different types of servicing, and specific cases of non-operational satellites demonstrate the different servicing needs. By studying launches over a period of 20 years, 86 spacecraft were identified which could benefit from servicing. Relocation and refueling missions are the simplest servicing missions to implement in the near-term, and also represent categories with the largest demand. Repair missions, particularly internal repair, likely present a much more difficult category.

Space Cyber Technology Horizons

Space systems have been engineered with the aid of decomposition processes and instantiated as a collection of subsystems supporting payloads. Most cyber systems today are engineered with a much different abstraction process, typically employing a network layer model. Due to the difference in the engineering methodologies, key science and technology investments will need to be made to reconcile the differences in both the acquisition as well as the engineering viewpoints, and allow us to build truly integrated space and cyber systems. Due to the high value of legacy space systems, the insertion of new cyber/space technology through the recapitalization process will need to be consistently guided by an overarching investment strategy that will enable a new acquisition approach not limited by traditional boundaries. This strategy will emphasize technical investments crossing conventional fiscal boundaries attached to programs of record, by making investments in capabilities defined with a more functional scope. This process is already beginning; for example, the funding documentation naming convention for Global Positioning System is now replaced by Position, Navigation and Timing. This paper takes as its jumping off point an architecting methodology devised to be adaptive and survivable and delves into Science and Technology (S and T) investment strategies supporting a capability based approach. The authors provide an in-depth analysis of the risk-opportunity environment. An integrated space cyber technical philosophy will be proposed. Relevant research and development programs at DARPA and other technology providers, which serve as a model for space cyber integration, will be described. In the end, the depiction of space systems as cyber-physical systems will be created with the emphasis on functional capability delivery.

The Evolution of the NOMS-IM Symposia Series: From a Gleam in the Eye to Multiple Technical Activities

This report documents the evolution of a number of symposia, along with the evolution of the associated communities. These communities launched the initial conferences, as well as benefited from the growth and evolution of these technical activities. Over the span of a couple decades, the communities grew in breadth and depth. The communities are truly global in both constituency and reach. Both symposia convene in multiple countries within multiple continents, and continue to attract new audiences. In addition, new multiple symposia series were spawned by the communities, and the richness of the technical activities and venues affords the communities enhanced value and interactions.

Knowledge Management for Architecting Space Systems

Knowledge Management (KM)Systems requirements, concepts and architectures have evolved from massive data store search engines to include rapid, focused, information based process management systems. Our current focus is on making our processes even more responsive and efficient. Most industrial and technical processes add process value relying on and/or producing new, improved information and product. The key steps of these processes are supported with focused, instantly available, relevant, pre-processed information. This assures that the accuracy and relevancy of the decision making processes are NOT risked by broad definitional searches which need to be re-analyzed and/or prioritized for useful and accurate decisions. These KM concepts are specifically tailored for max utility for Space System technology planning, development and architecting processes.

Recapitalization of a Robust Space Ground Architecture

Often, very large systems of systems (SoS) suffer from modernization shortfalls because no one knows where to start the process to recapitalize to improve the performance of the overall system while still keeping the system affordable. For National Security Space (NSS) space based systems, the SoS include spacecraft and ground systems. One approach that is worth considering is that of modernizing the space ground link system, which is often viewed as less costly than the spacecraft. In particular, if there are opportunities in the ground systems acquisition strategy, to insert modernized technology while maintaining the backwards compatibility for legacy space ground link communications, the investment and the associated risk can be much lower and yet still provide higher return on investment for the SoS. Rather than modernizing one spacecraft, modernizing a ground site and then offering greater service through that link then encourages other spacecraft customers to adopt the newer link approach all the while maintaining the old customer base. In addition, a modernized space ground link service can be made more robust to operational constraints and meet additional requirements that legacy systems cannot. This provides additional benefits that will attract even more customers, including mission data customers, with the ultimate goal of encouraging additional users to convert to the new system. This paper will outline a possible path to more robust space ground architecture.

Enabling NSS Engineering Development Planning via Novel Knowledge Management Strategies, Tools, and Technologies

This paper studies the specific challenges presented by National Security Space (NSS) Development planning (DP) and explores how Knowledge Management (KM) can address the organizational and engineering challenges associated with our mission. We focus on both early successes and longer term strategic planning. This paper reviews the enabling KM tools and technologies that interconnect the multiorganizational activities associated with the engineering and DP of large complex technical programs that deliver operational capabilities. This paper illustrates the challenges associated with this engineering process, and how KM technology deployment would facilitate higher productivity of multiple stakeholders collaborating in such multi-year effort. The DP process is presented, and the KM requirements and deployment options are discussed. An initial plan is formulated to address the multiple challenges associated with integrating KM strategies and artifacts to NSS DP.