Architecture for Survivable System Processing (ASSP)

The Architecture for Survivable System Processing (ASSP) Program is a multi-phase effort to implement Department of Defense (DOD) and commercially developed high-tech hardware, software, and architectures for reliable space avionics and ground based systems. System configuration options provide processing capabilities to address Time Dependent Processing (TDP), Object Dependent Processing (ODP), and Mission Dependent Processing (MDP) requirements through Open System Architecture (OSA) alternatives that allow for the enhancement, incorporation, and capitalization of a broad range of development assets. High technology developments in hardware, software, and networking models, address technology challenges of long processor life times, fault tolerance, reliability, throughput, memories, radiation hardening, size, weight, power (SWAP) and security. Hardware and software design, development, and implementation focus on the interconnectivity/interoperability of an open system architecture and is being developed to apply new technology into practical OSA components. To insure for widely acceptable architecture capable of interfacing with various commercial and military components, this program provides for regular interactions with standardization working groups (e.g.) the International Standards Organization (ISO), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), and Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE). Selection of a viable open architecture is based on the widely accepted standards that implement the ISO/OSI Reference Model

Innovating additional Layer 2 security requirements for a protected stack

Security is only as good as the weakest link and if the weakness is at a low level in the communication stack then every other Layer has potential to inherit the problem. The OSI Layer model has defined the theoretical architecture for network communications (ISO/IEC 7498-1). Standardisation assures that each element of an internetwork uses the same model and hence a message can be moved intelligibly and correctly between participants. The OSI model divides communications into seven hierarchical Layers that provide the necessary services from the application Layer through to the physical Layer of electricity (ISO/IEC 7498-2). Each Layer is dependent on the one below to provide the more primitive functions and is hence interconnected from top to bottom in a communication chain. The four Layer TCP/IP pragmatic model conveys a similar relationship of dependant services for communication that have inter-dependence (Comer, 1995). The consequence is that no matter how a communication stack is looked at – theoretically or in practice – problems low down impact higher Layers. In this research we looked specifically at the OSI Data Link Layer (2) not only because so much has been written on security issues at this Layer, but also because it is the first Layer where serious abstraction in terms of logics and protocols is made from the primitive physical impulses (Altunbasak et al., 2005; NIST, 2013). These theoretical abstractions offer opportunity for proper and improper manipulation that may either better facilitate communication or impede effective communication. The data link Layer also gives opportunity for a range of logical attacks that may exploit the effective communication but not always for the intended purposes. Such vulnerabilities occur elsewhere in the communication stack but Layer 2 is the first real opportunity for logical attacks (Shanmug et al, 2010; Altunbasak, et al., 2005). This paper is structured to briefly review current literature and define the implications of OSI Layer 2 security vulnerabilities. The OSI model is selected in preference over the TCP/IP model as it has greater clarity around specific layers and reference detail. Two gaps in the literature are identified and theoretical solutions proposed for Layer 2 security

Deep Space Network information system architecture study

The purpose of this article is to describe an architecture for the Deep Space Network (DSN) information system in the years 2000-2010 and to provide guidelines for its evolution during the 1990s. The study scope is defined to be from the front-end areas at the antennas to the end users (spacecraft teams, principal investigators, archival storage systems, and non-NASA partners). The architectural vision provides guidance for major DSN implementation efforts during the next decade. A strong motivation for the study is an expected dramatic improvement in information-systems technologies, such as the following: computer processing, automation technology (including knowledge-based systems), networking and data transport, software and hardware engineering, and human-interface technology. The proposed Ground Information System has the following major features: unified architecture from the front-end area to the end user; open-systems standards to achieve interoperability; DSN production of level 0 data; delivery of level 0 data from the Deep Space Communications Complex, if desired; dedicated telemetry processors for each receiver; security against unauthorized access and errors; and highly automated monitor and control

Power Systems Monitoring and Control using Telecom Network Management Standards

Historically, different solutions have been developed for power systems control and telecommunications network management environments. The former was characterized by proprietary solutions, while the latter has been involved for years in a strong standardization process guided by criteria of openness. Today, power systems control standardization is in progress, but it is at an early stage compared to the telecommunications management area, especially in terms of information modeling. Today, control equipment tends to exhibit more computational power, and communication lines have increased their performance. These trends hint at some conceptual convergence between power systems and telecommunications networks from a management perspective. This convergence leads us to suggest the application of well-established telecommunications management standards for power systems control. This paper shows that this is a real medium-to-long term possibility

The battle between standards: TCP/IP vs OSI victory through path dependency or by quality?

Between the end of the 1970s and 1994 a fierce competition existed between two possible standards, TCP/IP and OSI, to solve the problem of interoperability of computer networks. Around 1994 it became evident that TCP/IP and not OSI had become the dominant standard. We specifically deal with the question whether the current dominance of the TCP/IP standard is the result of third degree path dependency or of choices based on assessments of it being technical-economically superior to the OSI standard and protocols

Intelligent Integrated Management for Telecommunication Networks

As the size of communication networks keeps on growing, faster connections, cooperating technologies and the divergence of equipment and data communications, the management of the resulting networks gets additional important and time-critical. More advanced tools are needed to support this activity. In this article we describe the design and implementation of a management platform using Artificial Intelligent reasoning technique. For this goal we make use of an expert system. This study focuses on an intelligent framework and a language for formalizing knowledge management descriptions and combining them with existing OSI management model. We propose a new paradigm where the intelligent network management is integrated into the conceptual repository of management information called Managed Information Base (MIB). This paper outlines the development of an expert system prototype based in our propose GDMO+ standard and describes the most important facets, advantages and drawbacks that were found after prototyping our proposal