Isode - Military Messaging and Military Directory Software

Isode is a software product company, originally established in 1992, which builds high-performance military messaging and directory server software, using open standard protocols. Its M-Vault (LDAP/X.500 directory server), M-Switch (X.400 message switch) and M-Store (X.400 message store) products are used around the world by military forces, intelligence services, aviation authorities and governments.

Isode's servers for core military messaging and military directory systems are mature and robust products which have been deployed for many years in demanding operational environments.

MILITARY MESSAGING

Isode provides software for military messaging servers compliant with the NATO standard for military messaging, STANAG 4406.

Used for both strategic and tactical messaging, STANAG 4406 has a number of special protocols to support tactical messaging, in particular to support very-low bandwidth links such as HF radio (STANAG 4406 annex E), and receivers in Emission Control (EMCON) mode which can receive but not send data.

Key advantages provided by the Isode military messaging solution include:

• Full compliance to STANAG 4406 standards and architecture
• Support for strategic and tactical networks, including STANAG 4406 annex E
• High message-throughput and low switching-latency
• Message precedence capabilities
• Audit logging and audit database
• Extensive management capabilities

M-SWITCH X.400 MESSAGE-SWITCHING SOFTWARE

M-Switch X.400 is the central product of Isode's military messaging infrastructure, providing message switching for backbone and local services. Key features of M-Switch X.400 message-switching software for military deployments include:

• High throughput, achieved by a combination of efficient switching-structure, and intelligent queue-management to optimise local and network resources
• Low latency – M-Switch's queue management is optimised to ensure military messages are delivered quickly
• Flexible routing – M-Switch X.400 message-switching software provides flexible routing, and enables use of a backbone MTA architecture to provide fall-back routing and load balancing, so that end-to-end performance is not impacted by component or network failure
• Alternate recipient support – the concept of a 'alternate recipient' ensures that a message is delivered rapidly to an appropriate recipient
• Precedence handling – M-Switch scheduling sends higher-priority messages first
• Audit database – messaging processing events are recorded in an audit log, which may be stored in an audit database that supports message tracking, management and operational statistics

M-STORE X.400 MESSAGE STORE

X.400 clients (user agents) use the X.400 P7 protocol to access a message store. Isode's M-Store X.400 is an X.400 message store that supports X.400 P7, and also uses X.400 P3 to connect to a Message Transfer Agent (MTA) such as M-Switch X.400.

The M-Store X.400 message store serves as an intermediary between user agents and the message transfer agent, accepting delivery of messages on the user's behalf and storing them for subsequent retrieval.

MILITARY DIRECTORY SOFTWARE

Directory services are a critical military component, used for tactical and strategic systems. Military directories are used to provide information services, support military messaging, and as supporting infrastructure for other applications such as Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

Isode provides a complete software solution for military directories. Important characteristics of the Isode solution include:

• Comprehensive security, including strong authentication for all directory protocols and signed operations
• Full ACP 133 support and conformance, including GUI support for data administration
• Comprehensive management and operational tools
• Flexible replication and replication management

ACP133 defines the directory services, architecture, protocols, schema, policies and procedures to support allied communications, including Military Message Handling System (MMHS) services in both strategic and tactical environments.

M-VAULT X.500 DIRECTORY SERVER

Isode provides all of the server software and management tools needed to build a military directory.

The Isode M-Vault X.500 directory server is the core component of Isode's military directory solution, and includes ACP 133 conformance, flexible replication and security features.

Isode's Secure Open Data, Identity and User Manager (SODIUM), provides secure GUI management of data in a military directory. Isode also provides tools for operating directory services, and integration with standard network-management systems.