Network topology and device discovery for flight test systems

Modern flight test systems are only now starting to deploy IP-based networks to carry instrumentation data. These newer systems are replacing their traditional fixed serial interconnects and multiplexers. With this evolution comes the need for network management solutions in flight test environments, which includes all aspects of configuring, controlling, and monitoring a multitude of network elements. These elements include the various system processes, including data acquisition, recording, real-time data processing, as well as the underlying networking devices themselves. Southwest Research Institute^reg (SwRI^reg) has been involved in the development of a network management system that is part of a network based flight test system being developed for a customer transitioning to network based flight test systems for certifying their next generation commercial airplanes. This paper describes part of that network management approach, concentrating on the key issue of automatic network topology and device discovery.