Government Reference Architecture dataplane gateway

The Government Reference Architecture (GRA) is a reference architecture for modularized communications terminals. To date, the definitions in this reference architecture have centered upon the control plane and just a simplistic view of the data plane. This paper details the reference architecture components needed to create an elaborate data plane for the different networks, potentially from different vendors, connected either wired or wirelessly through an array of modems to the communications terminal. Furthermore, for completeness the reference architecture defines a gateway capability to bridge any two of the networks connected to the communications terminal. The gateway capability generically specifies translation, filtering (firewalling), bandwidth limiting, and information security and how these aspects are controlled through the GRA control plane, either locally or remotely. The result is a communications node capable of throttling the amount of data going over varying bandwidth backhaul links or tactical radio, all controlled locally or remotely via a single network manager. Combining multiple modular terminals together with an application layer routing protocol then opens up a slew of capabilities not available in the currently fielded communications systems.