Asymmetric routing

Traditional military digital communications rely upon a symmetric model where the incoming data pipe has the same capacity as the outgoing data pipe. However, military tactical information requirements are rarely symmetric. The typical tactical unit receives far more data than it transmits but still employs symmetric communications leading to inefficient utilization of precious bandwidth. I developed a technique that enables a site to establish an asymmetric data connection that more fully utilizes tactical bandwidth by matching the receive and transmit communications path capacities to the asymmetric information requirements. This technique, called asymmetric routing, requires no modification to client applications or workstations. An asymmetric routed connection can be set up with some simple router configuration changes and some minor hardware modifications at the router-network interface. An extension of asymmetric routing is discussed which will eliminate the need for any modification to existing communications equipment.