Datatek Applications

Somerset, NJ, Nov 13, 2008 -- The Datatek Applications IPv4-IPv6 Transformer was identified today as one of the ‘Most Promising Technologies’ in the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) 2008 Final Report. 

Datatek’s IPv4-IPv6 Transformer was competitively selected and sponsored by the U.S. Army Program Manager’s Office - Battle Command for participation in the 2008 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstration (CWID) held in June.  It successfully demonstrated IPv6 message traffic between IPv4-only Battle Command Systems at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Virginia and the Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center in San Diego, California.   

The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer met its primary CWID objective of ‘improving coalition and joint C4ISR architecture and to enhance leadership’s capability to command, control and coordinate across joint and coalition forces, government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and first responders’.  A sub-objective met was to ‘demonstrate cohesive command and control (C2) linkages between military, government agencies and coalition partners’.

The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer had detailed assessments performed by the CWID Systems Engineering and Integration Working Group (SEIWG) and the Information Assurance (IA) Assessment Working Group.  The SEIWG conclusions were, “The Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer was demonstrated as a key for risk mitigation for legacy IPv4 systems for when Department of Defense (DoD) networks migrate to an IPv4-IPv6 dual stack architecture.”  The IA Assessment Working Group conclusions were, “The AWG IA team conducted a “Basic IA Assessment” on the IPv4-IPv6 Transformer using Retina, Nessus, and Nmap to perform scans. These assessment tools revealed no vulnerabilities or unauthorized open ports/services.”

For CWID 2008, Datatek’s IPv4-IPv6 Transformer was connected to the IPv4-only Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) and translated fire command missions to IPv6 for communication with the IPv4-only Naval Fire Control System (NFCS), which also was connected to a Datatek IPv4-IPv6 Transformer.  IPv6 communication was over an IPv6-only network set up between Dahlgren, Virginia and San Diego, California. 

Some observations from CWID warfighters, “Datatek's IPv4-IPv6 Transformer will instantly convert ATATDS from an IP4-only system to a dual-stack IP4/IP6 system without touching any of the hardware, operating system or application code.  By becoming IPv6-enabled, AFATDS will be able to take advantage of IPv6 Mobility and Security features that are not available on IPv4 today.  Datatek received favorable comments from Lieutenant General Wood, Deputy Commander, Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) and Marine Corps Brigadier General Allen.  Trial 1.15 IPv4-IPv6 Transformer successfully completed the Coalition Warrior Interoperability Demonstation (CWID) 2008, meeting all objectives.”

CWID is a multinational, multi-service interoperability demonstration that puts more than 40 emerging products through their paces in a search for tools that are ready for deployment.

CWID is an annual program conducted by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and military coalition partners worldwide. From June 9 through 19, participating vendors got a chance to demonstrate products on global networks under military conditions.

Technology tested in CWID is not necessarily brand new but is not widely deployed in military situations, said Carla Jolly, deputy director at the U.S. Air Force CWID Joint Management Office in Stuttgart.

Selection is highly competitive and applicants are winnowed down by technical CWID working groups.   A Federal Business Opportunities Web site notice is published 14 months before the demonstrations. For this year, 72 organizations applied, and 41 made the cut.

For a list of the technologies tested, go to GCN.com, Quickfind 1138.