Warfighter Information Network-Tactical (WIN-T) provides network connectivity to the Army to meet the needs of soldiers in current and future operations. WIN-T is the Army’s common tactical communications network backbone that enables mission command and secure reliable voice, video and data communications anytime, anywhere.
WIN-T is part of Program Executive Office Command, Control and Communications –Tactical (PEO C3T), which leads in defense of the tactical network. WIN-T supports PEO C3T by enabling soldiers operating in remote and challenging terrain to maintain voice, video and data communications while on the move, with connectivity rivaling that found in a stationary command post.
Meeting the Army’s Communication Needs
WIN-T needed call detail records (CDRs) of their VoIP calls in order to comply with TRADOC requirements. The NetOps tool previously used provided this functionality but WIN-T only used a small portion of the appliance’s capabilities. The tool was expensive, and had limited portability. Standard for Army acquisitions, WIN-T was seeking the lowest cost solution that met their technical mission requirements.
WIN-T has deployed a range of SolarWinds network management, monitoring and troubleshooting tools, including Network Configuration Manager, Network Performance Monitor, NetFlow Traffic Analyzer, VoIP & Network Quality Manager, and the Engineer’s Toolset. WIN-T deploys different bundles of SolarWinds network management tools based on the location needs and mission requirements.
To meet its CDR needs, WIN-T requested that SolarWinds add functionality to support Cisco® Call Manager® CDRs so they could consolidate vendors and reduce expenses. SolarWinds responded by developing a solution for aggregating CDRs; WIN-T played an important part in defining and testing the solution.
SolarWinds added the needed CDR functionality and WIN-T successfully implemented the CDR solution at a fraction of the cost of their previous appliance. Ultimately, WIN-T utilized DOD’s ESI BPA contract, designed to implement a software enterprise management process within DoD.
Today, SolarWinds tools are operated at Regional Hub Nodes around the globe and they are also deployed at Division, Brigade and lower levels to maintain the voice, video and data communications of tactical units. This is possible through SolarWinds’ modular software, all of which integrates through a single platform and makes it possible to support a range of WIN-T use cases.
WIN-T continues to upgrade its network operations and management, in an effort to converge networks and simplify operations. SolarWinds is viewed as a responsive partner with broad capabilities and the ability to adapt to support future needs.
Want to learn more about how SolarWinds is helping WIN-T and other customers? You can find a brief for military and civilian agencies here…
