An architecture for context aware management

Abstract

Military networks are subject to frequent changes due to hostile activities, movement of forces, weather conditions, terrain, etc. In order to function optimally, the network nodes must be able to rapidly adapt to the changes in the environment. Traditionally, this has been done by tailoring applications and protocols to exchange information. However, such solutions suffer from several disadvantages, e.g. due to their lack of generality. In this paper we present a context aware management architecture that adapts the behavior of the node to the current environment. The protocols and applications are responsible only for the tasks for which they have originally been designed, and need not be aware of the environment at all. The CAM architecture is especially suitable to mobile military ad hoc networks, which are seen as a possible future communication network solution on the battlefield.