Traffic Characterization, Routing and Security Issues in High Speed Networks Interconnected Through LEO Constellations

The COST Action 253 is aiming to study high speed terrestrial (based on ATM technology) networks interconnected by non-GEO satellite constellations. The performance of these networks depends very much on the successful characterization and estimation of offered services and traffic loading, as well as on efficient management techniques for the integrated, terrestrial and space system. In the context of COST253, WG1 (Traffic Characterization), WG5 (Network Security Issues) and part of WG4 (Networking) cover mainly these issues as it is seen in ANNEX I, where is also given the manpower involved in these topics. In the following sections we shall cover in brief the research carried out and the results obtained so far in the Action during the last two years of operation.