The Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) is the telecommunications infrastructure that provides end-toend information transfer for all fypes of military operations. DISN Deployed is that portion of the DISN which supports the deployed warJighter by providing connectivity to the sustaining base in the Continental United States and elsewhere. The DlsN Deployed Pilot Network (DDPN) project is intended to provide flexible, affordable communications support to deployed, tactical CINC/JF users. The pilot network approach allows feedback from operational users on operational utility of upcoming systems, development of valid plans and system designs, and a near term operational capability, The DDPN will demonstrate and implement capabilities that make more efficient use of limited military satellite bandwidth (particularly for bursty user traffic, such as router trafic), to use other media (such as commercial satellites) to augment this bandwidth, and to improve interoperability. This network is a joint venture between the Defense Information Systems Agency and U. S. Atlantic Command. It will use tactical Joint Task Force units, such as the Air Combat Command, the Joint Communications Support Element, 18th Airborne Corps, and the USSMt. Whitney command, control, and communications ship to perform a series ofproof of concept demonstrations over a period of several months. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches and SATCOM network control equipment will be installed in the deployed facilities of tactical participants. The combination of ATM, Control, and use of Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) and commercial satellites will provide a responsive approach for real time communications resource management by the deployed JTF commander. The system also provides a seamless interface to the strategic DISN network (which is migrating to ATM). At the conclusion, it is expected that the systems could be used operationally. .O IntroductionThe DDPN provides the joint warlighter with a capability never before enjoyed by a deployed tactical commander. It provides the capabillty for near real-time bandwidth management (also known as "Bandwidth on Demand) on Defense Satellite Communications Systems (DSCS) and commercial satellite systems. It also provides the capability for tactical users to interface directly into strategic wide area networks (WAN) such as the DISN ATM Services. The DDPN program will demonstrate and evaluate certain aspects of future DISN plans, and it will introduce advanced technology capabilities such as ATM switches for tactical Commanders-in-Chief (ClNCs). The main goal of using ATM is twofold: to support the use of interoperable equipment and to optimize the bandwidth through efficient use of scarce transmission circuits.Many of today's networks use Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) multiplexers which do not conform to a standard. As a result, each vendor uses a proprietary scheme for its multiplexing equipment. Using ATM for the DDPN will demonstrate the capability to support legacy circuits ...