Extensible Modeling and simulation Framework (Xmsf) Challenges for Web-Based modeling and simulation FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP, STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM 22 OCTOBER 2002 http://www.Movesinstitute.org/xmsf XMSE Don brutzman and michael zyda Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation MOVES) Institute Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey California J. Mark Pullen George Mason University (GMU), Fairfax virginia Katherine l. morse katherinel@saic.com Science applications International Corporation(SAIC), San Diego California Additional Contributors Steven Fouskarinis salc. david Drake saic. dennis moen gmu Curt Blais NPs, Andrzej Kapolka NPS, Don McGregor NPS The moves Institute George Mason c二 University An Employee-Owned Company
Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) Challenges for Web-Based Modeling and Simulation FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT: TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP, STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM 22 OCTOBER 2002 http://www.MovesInstitute.org/xmsf Don Brutzman and Michael Zyda brutzman@nps.navy.mil zyda@MovesInstitute.org Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation (MOVES) Institute Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey California J. Mark Pullen mpullen@gmu.edu George Mason University (GMU), Fairfax Virginia Katherine L. Morse katherine.l.morse@saic.com Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), San Diego California Additional Contributors Steven Fouskarinis SAIC, David Drake SAIC, Dennis Moen GMU Curt Blais NPS, Andrzej Kapolka NPS, Don McGregor NPS
EXTENSIBLE MODELING AND SIMULATION FRAMEWORK (XMSF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Department of Defense(DoD)is engaged in warfighting and institutional transformation for the new millennium. In parallel, DoD Modeling Simulation(M&s)needs to identify and adopt transformational technologies providing direct tactical relevance to warfighters. The only software systems that composably scale to worldwide scope utilize World Wide Web technologies Therefore, it is evident that an extensible web-based framework offers great promise to scale up the capabilities of M&S systems to meet the needs of training, analysis, acquisition, and the operational warfighter. By embracing commercial web technologies as a shared-communications platform and a ubiquitous-delivery framework, DoD M&s can fully leverage mainstream practices for enterprise-wide software development In order to carefully consider these Dod transformation challenges for M&s, we are defining an Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework(XMSF)to exploit web-based technologies. An exceptional group of government, academic, and industry experts worked together under the leadership of investigators from the Naval Postgraduate School, George Mason University, and SAIC for an exploratory workshop and a public symposium. This report describes the basis and initial requirements to achieve such transformational interoperability, through community development of the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) The Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework(XMSF) is defined as a composable set of standards, profiles and recommended practices for web-based modeling simulation(M&s) XML-based markup languages, Internet technologies and Web Services will enable a new generation of distributed M&S applications to emerge, develop and interoperate XMSF integrates several high-level requirements derived from years of experience with M&s frameworks, and the challenges of their effective deployment across diverse networks and systems XMSF must enable simulations to interact directly and scalably over a highly distributed network, achieved through compatibility between a web framework and networking technologies. XMSF must be equally usable by human and software agents. Clearly XMSF must support composable reusable model components. XMSF use must not be constrained by proprietary technology or legally encumbering patents, since such barriers discourage the free, open, ad hoc development of interconnected tactical models and simulations The precepts of XMSf are Web-based technologies applied within an extensible framework will enable a new generation of modeling simulation(M&S)applications to emerge, develop and interoperate Support for operational tactical systems is a missing but essential requirement for such M&s applications frameworks An extensible framework of Extensible Markup Language(XML)-based languages can provide a bridge between forthcoming M&s requirements and open/commercial web standards, while continuing to support existing M&s technologies Compatible and complementary technical approaches are now possible for model definition, simulation execution, network-based education, network scalability, and 2D/3D graphics views Web approaches for technology, software tools, content production and broad use provides best business cases from an enterprise-wide (i.e. world wide) perspective XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002 page 3
XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 3 EXTENSIBLE MODELING AND SIMULATION FRAMEWORK (XMSF) FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Department of Defense (DoD) is engaged in warfighting and institutional transformation for the new millennium. In parallel, DoD Modeling & Simulation (M&S) needs to identify and adopt transformational technologies providing direct tactical relevance to warfighters. The only software systems that composably scale to worldwide scope utilize World Wide Web technologies. Therefore, it is evident that an extensible web-based framework offers great promise to scale up the capabilities of M&S systems to meet the needs of training, analysis, acquisition, and the operational warfighter. By embracing commercial web technologies as a shared-communications platform and a ubiquitous-delivery framework, DoD M&S can fully leverage mainstream practices for enterprise-wide software development. In order to carefully consider these DoD transformation challenges for M&S, we are defining an Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) to exploit web-based technologies. An exceptional group of government, academic, and industry experts worked together under the leadership of investigators from the Naval Postgraduate School, George Mason University, and SAIC for an exploratory workshop and a public symposium. This report describes the basis and initial requirements to achieve such transformational interoperability, through community development of the Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF). The Extensible Modeling and Simulation Framework (XMSF) is defined as a composable set of standards, profiles and recommended practices for web-based modeling & simulation (M&S). XML-based markup languages, Internet technologies and Web Services will enable a new generation of distributed M&S applications to emerge, develop and interoperate. XMSF integrates several high-level requirements derived from years of experience with M&S frameworks, and the challenges of their effective deployment across diverse networks and systems. XMSF must enable simulations to interact directly and scalably over a highly distributed network, achieved through compatibility between a web framework and networking technologies. XMSF must be equally usable by human and software agents. Clearly XMSF must support composable, reusable model components. XMSF use must not be constrained by proprietary technology or legally encumbering patents, since such barriers discourage the free, open, ad hoc development of interconnected tactical models and simulations. The precepts of XMSF are: · Web-based technologies applied within an extensible framework will enable a new generation of modeling & simulation (M&S) applications to emerge, develop and interoperate. · Support for operational tactical systems is a missing but essential requirement for such M&S applications frameworks. · An extensible framework of Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based languages can provide a bridge between forthcoming M&S requirements and open/commercial web standards, while continuing to support existing M&S technologies. · Compatible and complementary technical approaches are now possible for model definition, simulation execution, network-based education, network scalability, and 2D/3D graphics views. · Web approaches for technology, software tools, content production and broad use provides best business cases from an enterprise-wide (i.e. world wide) perspective
This final version of the report includes key findings from the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California on 19-20 August 2002, plus considerations and recommendations from the XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium held at George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia on 6 September 2002. Key points emerging from both the Workshop and the Symposium include the following findings The XMSF concept must continue to be refined from a high-level concept to definitive technical recommendations, practices, and applications tailored for the M&s domain A set of exemplar applications need to be identified and initiated that can collectively and clearly demonstrate the application potential of XMSF concepts. A number of existing and emerging programs are examined as possible exemplars Web Services appear to be a promising application of technology for focusing future work Security concerns are cross-cutting for all areas and must be addressed throughout any design process(i.e. built in from the outset) Frequently asked question #1: what does XMsF look like? Web, internet and XML technologies for open interoperability in M&s Data and metadata standards for semantic consistency among systems Profile specifications, associated with standards, to define common capability levels needed for user requirements and application support o Specification of mandatory(and optional)standards and recommended practices o Recommendations and guidelines for implementation(e. g composability requirement recommended technologies, application guidelines, recommended hardware configuration) o Implementation and evaluation metrics to measure conformance and capabilities Frequently asked question #2: what doesn't XMSF look like? A single, exclusive, tightly coupled architecture Proprietary technologies which require licenses or royalties for use The next major milestone for XMSF is a series of prototype demonstrations at the Interservice /Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference(I/TSEC)in Orlando Florida, 2-5 December 2002 showing prototype XMSF-related applications to the M&s community The foundation for XMSF's future success is based on multiple strategies. Viewed from an enterprise perspective, commitments to open standards processes are the most cost effective important to have common business models for delivering expert services and develop lg o approach over the long-term lifecycle of technology development and deployment. It is al compatible domain-specific applications. Partnerships with commercial industry can leverage technology opportunities to improve interoperability and achieve greater defense capabilities Many incentives exist to begin demonstrating XMSF capabilities immediately as a prelude to transformational ch The primary next-step activities for 2003 are establishing partnerships among implementers sponsors, industry supporters and standards organizations. This report and the numerous accompanying XMSF contributions the technical basis for that next round of activity XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002 page 4
XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 4 This final version of the report includes key findings from the XMSF Technical Challenges Workshop conducted at the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey California on 19-20 August 2002, plus considerations and recommendations from the XMSF Strategic Opportunities Symposium held at George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia on 6 September 2002. Key points emerging from both the Workshop and the Symposium include the following findings. · The XMSF concept must continue to be refined from a high-level concept to definitive technical recommendations, practices, and applications tailored for the M&S domain. · A set of exemplar applications need to be identified and initiated that can collectively and clearly demonstrate the application potential of XMSF concepts. A number of existing and emerging programs are examined as possible exemplars. · Web Services appear to be a promising application of technology for focusing future work. · Security concerns are cross-cutting for all areas and must be addressed throughout any design process (i.e. built in from the outset). Frequently asked question #1: what does XMSF look like? · Web, internet and XML technologies for open interoperability in M&S · Data and metadata standards for semantic consistency among systems · Profile specifications, associated with standards, to define common capability levels needed for user requirements and application support o Specification of mandatory (and optional) standards and recommended practices o Recommendations and guidelines for implementation (e.g. composability requirements, recommended technologies, application guidelines, recommended hardware configuration) o Implementation and evaluation metrics to measure conformance and capabilities Frequently asked question #2: what doesn’t XMSF look like? · A single, exclusive, tightly coupled architecture · Proprietary technologies which require licenses or royalties for use The next major milestone for XMSF is a series of prototype demonstrations at the Interservice /Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) in Orlando Florida, 2-5 December 2002 showing prototype XMSF-related applications to the M&S community. The foundation for XMSF’s future success is based on multiple strategies. Viewed from an enterprise perspective, commitments to open standards processes are the most cost effective approach over the long-term lifecycle of technology development and deployment. It is also important to have common business models for delivering expert services and developing compatible domain-specific applications. Partnerships with commercial industry can leverage technology opportunities to improve interoperability and achieve greater defense capabilities. Many incentives exist to begin demonstrating XMSF capabilities immediately as a prelude to transformational change. The primary next-step activities for 2003 are establishing partnerships among implementers, sponsors, industry supporters and standards organizations. This report and the numerous accompanying XMSF contributions serve as the technical basis for that next round of activity
XMSF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION: PURPOSE, SCOPE, SHORTCOMINGS AND STATUS.... PURPOSE 1.2 7778 1.3 CURRENT SHORTCOMINGS 2 XMSF POSTULATES PRECONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS. CHALLENGES AND DEFINITION.. 10 POsTuLATES 2.2 PRECONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS 2.3 KEY CHALLENGES FOR XMSF 11 4 XMSF DEFINITION 3 WEB AND XML CONSIDERATIONS OvERVIEW 3.2 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS 2228 3.3 WEB SERVICES OVERVIEW 3.4 WEB LANGUAGES 3.5 WORKSHOP FINDINGS AND ISSUES INTERNET/NETWORKING BASIC ASSUMPTIONS 4.2 NETWORK SERVICE REQUIREMENTS 4.3 PROTOCOL SUMMARY 4.4 NETWORK SERVICES AVAILABLE TODAY 4.5 NETWORK SERVICES ACHIEVABLE IN THREE TO FIVE YEARS 4.6 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY- WORK NETWORKING PROJECTS 5 MODELING SIMULATION CONSIDERATIONS 30 5.2 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS 5.3 ISsUI 5.4 WORKSHOP FINDINGS STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS 6.1 TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP FINDINGS STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM FINDINGS 6.3 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ADDITIONAL ISSUES 7 EXEMPLAR DEMONSTRATIONS. VISION VIGNETTES: DEFENSE SCENARIOS 7.2 TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES OF TACTICAL EXEMPLARS 7.3 USE CASES TO DRIVE REQUIREMENTS 8 DETERMINING THE PATH FORWARD.……3 8.1 BUSINESS MODEL 8.2 PARTNERSHIPS 3 DIVERSE SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES 8.4 DISTRIBUTED LEARNING (ADL) 8. RSHIP STRATEGIE GLOSSARY 41 XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002
XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 5 XMSF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REPORT 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION: PURPOSE, SCOPE, SHORTCOMINGS AND STATUS .............................................7 1.1 PURPOSE ....................................................................................................................................................7 1.2 SCOPE........................................................................................................................................................7 1.3 CURRENT SHORTCOMINGS..........................................................................................................................8 1.4 REPORT STATUS .........................................................................................................................................8 2 XMSF POSTULATES, PRECONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS, CHALLENGES AND DEFINITION......... 10 2.1 POSTULATES ............................................................................................................................................ 10 2.2 PRECONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS .................................................................................................................. 10 2.3 KEY CHALLENGES FOR XMSF .................................................................................................................. 11 2.4 XMSF DEFINITION................................................................................................................................... 11 3 WEB AND XML CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................ 12 3.1 OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................................... 12 3.2 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 WEB SERVICES OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................................... 18 3.4 WEB LANGUAGES .................................................................................................................................... 19 3.5 WORKSHOP FINDINGS AND ISSUES ............................................................................................................ 23 4 INTERNET/NETWORKING ....................................................................................................................... 24 4.1 BASIC ASSUMPTIONS................................................................................................................................ 24 4.2 NETWORK SERVICE REQUIREMENTS ......................................................................................................... 24 4.3 PROTOCOL SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 26 4.4 NETWORK SERVICES AVAILABLE TODAY .................................................................................................. 27 4.5 NETWORK SERVICES ACHIEVABLE IN THREE TO FIVE YEARS..................................................................... 28 4.6 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EARLY-WORK NETWORKING PROJECTS.............................................................. 28 5 MODELING & SIMULATION CONSIDERATIONS................................................................................. 30 5.1 OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................................... 30 5.2 FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................................... 30 5.3 ISSUES ..................................................................................................................................................... 31 5.4 WORKSHOP FINDINGS............................................................................................................................... 31 6 STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS.............................................................................................................. 34 6.1 TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP FINDINGS ....................................................................................... 34 6.2 STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM FINDINGS ................................................................................... 34 6.3 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS..................................................................................................................... 34 6.4 ADDITIONAL ISSUES ................................................................................................................................. 35 7 EXEMPLAR DEMONSTRATIONS............................................................................................................. 36 7.1 VISION VIGNETTES: DEFENSE SCENARIOS ................................................................................................ 36 7.2 TECHNICAL ATTRIBUTES OF TACTICAL EXEMPLARS .................................................................................. 36 7.3 USE CASES TO DRIVE REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................... 37 8 DETERMINING THE PATH FORWARD .................................................................................................. 38 8.1 BUSINESS MODEL..................................................................................................................................... 38 8.2 PARTNERSHIPS ......................................................................................................................................... 38 8.3 DIVERSE SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURES....................................................................................................... 39 8.4 ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED LEARNING (ADL) ............................................................................................. 40 8.5 PARTNERSHIP STRATEGIES FOR 2003......................................................................................................... 40 9 GLOSSARY................................................................................................................................................... 41
10 REFERENCES APPENDIX A. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP ATTENDEES 4 APPENDIX B. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP AGENDA APPENDIX C. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP POINT PAPERS APPENDIX D. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMIPOSIUM AGENDA APPENDIX E CONTACT INFORMATION XMSF Workshop Symposium Report, October 2002 6
XMSF Workshop & Symposium Report, October 2002 page 6 10 REFERENCES.............................................................................................................................................. 44 APPENDIX A. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP ATTENDEES...................................................... 46 APPENDIX B. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP AGENDA............................................................. 48 APPENDIX C. TECHNICAL CHALLENGES WORKSHOP POINT PAPERS ................................................. 49 APPENDIX D. STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES SYMPOSIUM AGENDA ....................................................... 51 APPENDIX E. CONTACT INFORMATION........................................................................................................ 52