The impact of enclave network devices to the tactical inter-service architecture

United States Department of Defense (DoD) Services (e.g., Army, Navy, Air Force) deploy different network devices in their enclave networks. These devices provide edge network functions such as information assurance, plain text routing, admission and congestion control, and TCP performance enhancements. Due to the different enclave network implementations in different Service networks, interoperability issues arise when connecting enclave networks between different Services. This paper describes tactical user enclave network implementations within the DoD's Global Information Grid, and how these networks currently achieve interoperable connectivity by backhauling traffic to fixed gateways connected to the Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) core. This paper examines three gateway options, including a cipher text gateway, a plain text gateway, and a Joint plain text gateway for providing interoperable inter-Service connectivity within the tactical environment. We provide qualitative comparisons of these architecture options and provide recommendations for their use in creating an interoperable tactical architecture.