Performance management an analysis of an IPv6 sensor on the move using commercial network management software

Abstract

Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) has been the internet standard since specified nearly 27 years ago. Although IPv4 has served us well the ever-growing demand for additional IP addresses has lead to the introduction of a new IP version, IPv6. Supported by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for more than 10 years, IPv6 is recognized as a critical enabling technology throughout the federal government. IPv6 is also necessary in order to support the continuing growth of global communication requirements within Special Operations Forces (SOF), and ensure that the global Internet can continue to support a growing international user base and the increasing number of IP-enabled devices. Although numerous network management studies have been conducted few have concentrated on tactical or edge network management. Furthermore, few studies identify potential management tools supporting usability within the GIG. In coordinated effort with our primary sponsor, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) has developed the Tactical Network Topology (TNT) field experimentation program aimed at providing solutions for today's battle space. TNT facilitates the examination of network management through the functional area of performance management and will serve to identify the tool that best supports network management of IPv6 tactical networks with IPv4 components.