Dynamic router configuration management for wireless mobile environments

Abstract

Manual router configuration can be a tedious and time consuming task that requires significant networking expertise, and does not scale well within the emerging digitized battlefield. The dynamic nature of tactical networks, and the potential for rapid changes, requires that new router configuration files be generated and loaded into fielded routers, quickly and efficiently, to support task reorganizations. This paper describes a proof-of-concept, rule set based, prototype tool built to convert graphical network topology representations into Cisco(R) router configuration files. Software "agents" tailor the configuration files and coordinate their distribution to the target routers via wireless links. The resulting ease of generating and implementing configuration files reduces dependence on highly skilled network design personnel, increases mission planning flexibility, and offers significant operational and cost benefits.