TADILdecoder

Affordable Network Management for JTIDS (Link-16) Networks

TADILdecoder is a low cost software application that allows network administrators to configure, monitor, manage and debug one or more Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) networks (also known as Link-16 networks). It is a platform-independent Java application that communicates with remote monitoring (TADILMON) agents via the industry-standard Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). TADILMON agents are lightweight software hosted on low-cost Windows XP platforms that connect to JTIDS terminals with off-the-shelf synchronous serial adapters.

A TADILdecoder can connect to multiple TADILMON agents to provide a unified picture of disparate tactical networks that includes:

• Agent/terminal status
• Decoded Tactical Digital Information Links (TADIL) J-series messages captured by TADILMON
• PPLI and surveillance-track information for all network participants
• Network-utilization statistics

To support the evaluation of exercises, simulations, and combat operations, TADILdecoder can also store captured data for later analysis and review. The user interface provides a map upon which discovered tracks are overlayed. When combined with real-time decoding and display of TADIL-J messages, the overlay map provides complete situational awareness of the JTIDS network environment.

TADILMON agents employ an inexpensive FastCom/Commtech synchronous serial adapter to connect to 2M or MIDS terminals, thus creating an effective, low-cost way to instrument any JTIDS network. The FastCom/Commtech adapters are available as both PCI and PCMCIA adapters, which allow TADILMONs to be hosted on off-the-shelf laptop or small-form-factor PCs.

TADILMON defines an open SNMP management information base (MIB) that supports all RMON MIB and MIB-II groups. Additionally, TADILMON's JTIDS MIB defines:

• Filters
• Packet-capture information
• Serial-adapter configuration information
• Utilization statistics

TADILDecoder :

• Provides low cost, user-friendly network management to engineers and administrators of Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) networks
• Graphically displays the behavior of one or more JTIDS networks
• Quickly pinpoints JTIDS inefficiencies, thus enabling rapid network optimization
• Runs on off-the-shelf computers
• Suitable for both field and laboratory environments
• Enables the creation of a cost-effective and efficient network
• Supports the management and evaluation of training exercises, simulations, and combat operations

An installed TADILdecoder software suite consists of:

• A TADILdecoder that:
  • manages one or more TADILMON agents
  • gathers data from the TADILMON agents
  • provides a real-time display of gathered data to the user and saves gathered data for later analysis
• One or more TADILMON agents, each of which:
  • interfaces to a 2M or MIDS radio (JU) that is configured to receive all available slots and transmit on none
  • monitors a JTIDS network through the 2M or MIDS radio
  • maintains JTIDS network statistics such as utilization and message-type distribution
  • captures TADIL-J messages as instructed by the managing TADILdecoder
  • transfers captured data and statistics to the managing TADILdecoder

Figure 1 shows the installation of a typical TADILdecoder software suite. Each of the three TADILMON agents monitors a different JTIDS network. A single TADILdecoder simultaneously gathers data from all three, performs necessary message decoding and statistical processing, and displays the result to the user.

Figure 1: TADILdecoder Software Suite Sample Installation