Integrating Challenged Networks

For a comprehensive information coverage across theatre, it is necessary to integrate many different sources of data which are likely to use protocols specific to a specialised purpose. For example, resource-constrained or challenged networks such as sensor systems and MANET systems, using their own protocols, may be used in conjunction with other Internet Protocol (IP) based communication and need to be integrated into the GIG. While such integration may be possible today, the engineering is complex and the resultant system may be difficult to configure and maintain, as well as being brittle when systems changes or reconfiguration is required. Furthermore, when security and identity issues are considered, the additional overhead for enabling integration within the context of sensor systems and MANETs raises challenging technology issues. Based on our ongoing work, we present a potential solution which organises such systems based on identity and location, but allows integration with Internet-wide communication.