Embarkables Root Cause for Navy Networks

Abstract

Network-centric warfare (NCW) is the Navys central concept for organizing its efforts to transform itself for military operations in the 21st Century. This concept links together Navy ships and shore sites into highly integrated networks to provide geographically dispersed war fighters and decision makers real-time information exchange at every level. As the Navy continues its efforts to align network operations, the existing IT structure is falling short in meeting the war fighter requirements. Interoperability among DON networks is critical to improve combat capability and efficiency. Navy war fighters require seamless access to IT services while deployed anywhere in the world. The Embarkables process provides the ability for users to move their workstation between networks but consists of a complex and time consuming IT process when transitioning from shore facilities and to ship environments. This thesis identifies root causes for network interoperability problems faced by embarking units when connecting to alternate networks, in this case the information technology for the 21st Century environment. This thesis also recommends approaches to improve integration of ashore assets into the shipboard environment, and suggests further areas of research for a seamless user experience moving across networks