IP unicast/multicast operation over STANAG 5066

NC3A (NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency) has implemented an IP client for STANAG 5066 high frequency (HF) subnetwork servers, supporting unicast and multicast IP operations in an HF wireless WAN using NATO's "Profile for HF Radio Data Communications", STANAG 5066. The IP client uses the character-based Ethernet device 'TUN/TAP' to interface to the IP protocol stack in the Linux operating system. A socket-based interface between client and subnetwork is used with an IANA-registered port number. Existing code was reused from previous work at NC3A that implemented a PPP (point-to-point protocol) client for unicast IP operation. Unicast IP packets are mapped onto the ARQ service mode in STANAG 5066 Multicast IP packets are mapped onto the non-ARQ service modes with group addressing. Both IP addressing modes are multiplexed within the STANAG 5066 subnetwork and are dynamically supportable. Performance issues for TCP over low-speed/high-latency links and the usability of LAN/WAN oriented routing and QoS protocols on HF radio are also discussed. This work is being pursued to integrate modern HF protocols and waveforms into the future NATO wireless WAN for deployed forces.