A methodology for designing local area networks for the Air Force

Abstract

This thesis effort examines applying local area network (LAN) technology to the Air Force. Long haul nets such as the Automatic Digital Network (AUTODIN) and Defense Data Network (DDN) are vital elements of command and control (C2) for the Air Force, but this functionality has not yet been extended to cover base-level C2 requirements. The principle elements of this study concern the need for LANs on Air Force bases, the best local area network design for Air Force bases, and a local area network implementation strategy. LANs have the additional advantage of being able to provide information sharing between microcomputers that use different operating systems. Three interconnection scenarios are described and potential solutions for each one are presented, with the author's recommendation for the best solution in each use. These solutions build the case for Air Force local area network standards: a broadband backbone connecting a variety of networks designed to support a variety of users.