Mapping, awareness, and virtualization network administrator training tool (MAVNATT) architecture and framework

Abstract

Tactical networks are becoming more critical in maintaining centers of gravity for military operations as cyberspace becomes contested at all levels of war. As a result, the growth of network centric operations and increased operational tempo in the cyber domain has created a significant training gap for tactical network administrators. This research suggests that a computer-based environment can integrate the operational network and a training network into the same system to allow tactical network administrators to concurrently administer the network and conduct realistic training on an identical virtual network. A review of commercial and open-source tools identifies the baseline for an architecture and framework for this system. The architecture consists of a modular design comprised of mapping, awareness, and virtualization modules. The framework integrates these modules by defining a network topology format, programming language, graphical user interface solution, and virtualization solution. This research concludes by providing an implementation that demonstrates desired capabilities. While we demonstrate that the project goals are attainable, there is a need for further research and development to deploy this capability to fleet units.