Enterprise implementations of wireless network technologies at the Naval Postgraduate School and other military educational institutions

Abstract

The purpose of all information systems is to assist people in transitioning data into information, and then information into knowledge. In order to reach IT modernity, three things need to occur: a convergence of single open platform data exchange (e.g., Extensible Markup Language (XML)), the development of new doctrine to manage this information (e.g., Net Centric Warfare), and the creation of a robust mobile secure network (e.g., 802.11). The heart of this research will focus on the last element. Future wars will be fought using wireless mobile networks. Wireless research is being realized at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) Wireless Warrior Group. The Wireless Warrior Group is designing and implementing the new unclassified wireless network at the NPS using the IEEE 802.11 standard. The Wireless Group was founded by the author of this thesis and is currently made of 150 members consisting of staff, faculty, and students from a variety of different curriculums. The purpose of Wireless Warrior is to develop the doctrine of wireless networking by making it a part of every student, staff, and faculty daily communication and production. Only through constant scrutiny and use can real solutions emerge. The entire campus becomes a computer lab. Wireless Warrior provides a fertile ground for students to write new applications, to communicate and collaborate in ways unthinkable just a few years ago. Wireless computing does to computers what the cell phone did to the wired telephone. It is an educational and operational force multiplier. Wireless mobility is the future of warfare, and usable, supportable, secure mobile communication is what wins wars. This thesis documents the NPS journey into the wireless domain.