Voice over IP in a Deployable Headquarters

SSgt W Quinn & Sgt D Gunn

ICT Faculty, Royal School of Signals, Defence College of CIS, Blandford Camp, BLANDFORD FORUM, Dorset DT11 8RH

Introduction

In support of ARRC (Allied Rapid Reaction Corps), 1 (UK) Signal Brigade has developed Project Richelieu, a plan to replace ATICS (ARRC Tactical Integrated Communications System), with a commercial solution based on an IP infrastructure, for Voice and Video Teleconferencing over IP (VTCoIP), as well as data, across ten deployed locations.

Modelling

OPNET Modeller is based on a series of hierarchical editors thatdirectly parallel the structure of real networks, equipment and protocols. Modelling the network consists of:

• Project Editor - represents the topology of a communications network

• Process Editor – detailed specification of protocols, resources and applications.

• Node Editor – the architecture of a network device or system. Depicts the flow of data between functional elements. Shown below is the development from a plan to a node model.

Conclusions

The planned network is able to support all the required services. Once setup using the syndicate’s results the network will be resilient and continually available with the option of further improving the network by utilising alternate VoIP codec rates.

As the interaction between the VoIP and VTCoIP conferences have been investigated thoroughly, using different testing scenarios, information can be provided on many eventualities.

Recommendations

Modelling has proven the concept of the 5.3 kbit/s codec, however a VoIP quality assessment should be made on a live network prior to implementation.

Aim

To investigate and develop a configuration plan for the optimisation of VoIP and VTCoIP focusing on 1 (UK) Signal Brigade’s deployed Richelieu network.

Objectives

• To ensure that the VoIP network is resilient and continually available. This has been looked into in detail with a document containing information for optimum configuration.

• These tasks are to be carried out whilst giving due consideration to the bandwidth requirements of the VoIP proprietary management system.

Mission Secret

NATO Secret

Z

Promina

DCSA Trunk

Key

VX900 – VoIP SwitchAvaya – VoIP Conference UnitZ – IP Cryptographic Equipment

VTC

Avaya

VX900

Z

Data

VTC

Avaya

VX900

Data

VX900

E1Main R4( )E1 SCP R

A

VX900SWITCHSWITCH

SWITCHSWITCH

B

SWITCHSWITCHVX900

R5

IP

Results

Experimentation has proven that conferences can be hosted in the alternative locations.

Simulation

A series of stresses and strains were applied to test the network under realistic operational conditions. Examples of these were:

• The effects of routing caused by a series of failures.

A simulated network has been developed, as can be seen to the left, utilising OPNET to mirror the Richelieu network so that traffic models of the voice, data and VTC services can be applied to assess the effect of failures and changes in network configuration.

• The effect of two minor and one major node failure, as requested by the sponsor.

• The effect of hosting the VoIP conference at alternate locations.

• The effects of increasing the conference load.

• The effects of hosting Ptarmigan.

Key

Optimisation of the voice codecs improved the throughputfor the most saturated links.

• 24 kbit/s - 100 %• 16 kbit/s - 87 %• 5.3 kbit/s - 80 %

Germany

Plan

Unclassified Domain

NATO Secret

Mission Secret

Model

Investigating the ‘Hairpinning’ functionality of the VX900 and it’s subsequent integration into military trunk communication systems. It is felt this could enhance the network significantly.

Hairpinning