Application Enablement

HLN provides the network foundation for Application Enablement (AE) – a combination of the trusted capabilities of the network with the speed and innovation of the Web. AE is a powerful new concept, unique to Alcatel-Lucent and LGS Innovations, that allows the full power of the network to be brought to bear to solve critical, end-customer communications problems. It provides the U.S. Federal Government with a richer and more trusted application and content experience that reduces costs and realizes a higher return on network, application, and service investments.

In the modern network, both the application layer and the networking layer have built-in intelligence. AE breaks down the traditional decoupling between the layers of the networking stack, and allows them to work together to do things neither layer can do on its own. In many cases, one layer knows what needs to be done – but only the other layer can actually do it. By combining the intelligence from both layers, the network can do an optimized job of delivering applications and dynamically meet the needs of different traffic types – such as voice, business applications, and multimedia applications, including video. Bandwidth, capacity, and reach are thus provided where and when they are needed – across the entire network – to support seamless delivery of applications and services without interruption. This is achieved with a simpler, more integrated, and intelligent network architecture that is less costly to operate, maintain, and evolve – with much reduced power consumption.

Data Awareness to Support Mission Needs

The U.S. Federal Government frequently contends with enormous data requirements, but is challenged by bandwidth limitations, particularly for off-base installations (e.g. aircraft carriers, troops in theater, etc.). An HLN addresses these challenges by offering network options based on the user’s request and connectivity – for example, offering a lower resolution video as opposed to high resolution. This data awareness allows the network to do a better job of traffic control and routing, based on mission needs and priorities.

An HLN also provides additional features that address energy saving when using different applications. For example, if a user requests data via a smart phone with a battery close to dying, AE allows the application to provide a scaled-down version of the application to reduce energy requirements and save the phone battery – while at the same time delivering the content requested by the user. Large Federal agencies can use an HLN to lower power costs by using routing protocols to pick more energy-efficient ways to deliver the services needed by agency personal. HLN allows for a dynamic real-time allocation of resources in an application-aware context.

AE consists of four key elements that allow users to find, connect, and interact with the content they need to execute their missions – when, where, and how they want or need them:

• Broadband, for access wherever the user needs it
• Optics, for speed and low-cost bit transport
• IP, for improved service awareness and programmability
• Applications enablers: shared resources across all applications