Network system having multiple subnets for a mobile platform

Abstract

A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for an aircraft according to the invention includes the steps of creating an air-to-ground network (AGN), a passenger services network (PSN), and a command and control network (CCN). A first range of addresses is assigned to a first group of devices that are associated with the AGN. A second range of addresses is assigned to a second group of devices that are associated with the PSN. A third range of addresses is assigned to a third group of devices that are associated with the CCN. IP aliasing is employed to allow at least one device from the first, second and third groups to be multi-homed.

1 . A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising: 
 creating a first communications network;    assigning a first range of addresses to devices that are associated with said first communications network;    defining a network number and a host number in said first range of addresses; and    dividing said host number into: 
 a mobile platform identification number for subnetting and;  
 a device number.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said first range of addresses comprises Class A IP addresses.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said mobile platform identification number includes 14-bits and said device number includes 10-bits.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a command and control network on said mobile platform.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising assigning a second range of addresses to devices that are associated with said command and control network.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said second range of addresses includes a network number and a host number.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said host number includes a first group of bits that identify one of a seat electronic box device, a server element and a network element.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said host number includes a second group of bits that identify an area distribution box.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said host number includes a third group of bits that identify a column.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said host number includes a fourth group of bits that identify a seat electronic box.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said host number includes a fifth group of bits that identify a type of server that is to be addressed and a sixth group of bits that identify a server device.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said host number includes a seventh group of bits that identify a type of network that is to be addressed and an eighth group of bits that identify a network device.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising a passenger services network on said mobile platform.  
   
   
       14 . A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising: 
 creating a first network for linking the mobile platform to a remotely-located communications system, a passenger services network (PSN), and a command and control network (CCN);    assigning a first range of addresses to a first group of devices that are associated with said first network;    assigning a second range of addresses to a second group of devices that are associated with said PSN; and    assigning a third range of addresses to a third group of devices that are associated with said CCN.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising employing IP aliasing to allow at least one device from said first, second and third groups to be multi-homed.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 defining a network number and a host number in said first range of addresses; and    dividing said host number into: 
 a mobile platform identification number for subnetting; and  
 a device number.  
   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said first range of addresses comprises Class A IP addresses, said mobile platform identification number includes 14-bits, and said device number comprises a 10-bit number.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said second range of addresses comprises Class B IP addresses and wherein said second range of addresses includes a network number and a host number.  
   
   
       19 . A method for assigning Internet Protocol addresses in a communications system for a mobile platform, comprising: 
 creating a first network for linking the mobile platform in communication with a remote communication system;    creating a passenger services network (PSN);    assigning a first range of addresses to a first group of devices that are associated with said first network; and    assigning a second range of addresses to a second group of devices that are associated with said PSN.