Virtualization of System of Systems Test and Evaluation

Abstract

Virtualization is the use of a software application to emulate the physical performance of a computer, including the Central Processing Unit (CPU), storage, network device, Random Access Memory (RAM), and Operating System (OS) through executable data files. The virtualization software application allows for multiple virtual machines to exist on a single set of physical hardware. This technology can increase the flexibility of the hardware while reducing hardware configuration time. Virtualization technology will improve the Department of Defense (DoD) system of systems (SoS) Test and Evaluation (T and E) process. The implementation of virtualized systems within SoS will create three primary benefits. First, test personnel can improve configuration management for all component systems. Second, test personnel can reduce test environment setup time. Third, test personnel can improve the scalability of SoS architectures. The success of a DoD information system depends on its ability to meet the established criteria of cost, schedule, and performance. By appropriately integrating virtualization technology into the SoS T and E process, system program managers can improve the likelihood of meeting these criteria.