Stryker Brigade Combat Team IPv6 transition modeling and simulation study

Abstract

In this paper, we describe our efforts to build a working IPv6 transition architecture for Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) tactical radio networks and test the efficiency of the architecture via an OPNET M&S study. Our engineers determined that the previous study Macintyre, L. of IPv6 over advanced tactical radio networks did not experiment with some key technologies that are now emerging such as robust IP header compression Bormann, et al., scalable link-state (proactive) MANET routing protocols with scoped routing areas [Baker, et al. (2003), Spagnolo, et al. (2004), Chandra, et al. (2004)], or "dual stacked" routing protocols where a single protocol instance is capable of advertising both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses on a single link Mirtarobi, et al. (2004). The models also were lacking an accurate low-level model of tactical radio link and physical layers, and did not use an accurate traffic model of military tactical data communications like the PCS traffic model that the CERDEC team has developed through our experience with PCS and DARPA M&S work. By injecting these key technologies into our SBCT radio model, we have created architecture, extensible to other net-centric forces like PCS, for transitioning tactical radios networks to IPv6. Our study found that with proper engineering, tactical networks could reap the benefits of IPv6 and operate with efficiency equal to or greater than current IPv4 networks