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Advanced Communications

Six Pillars of Digital Transformation

Provides secure, resilient connectivity enabling data, systems, and people to operate as an integrated whole.

  • Underpins distributed architectures with reliable, high-bandwidth transport.
  • Ensures interoperability across heterogeneous networks and contested environments.
  • Essential for Network Architects, Mission Commanders, and IoT Operations.
Back to Framework Explore ODXA
Mission outcomes delivered through integrated digital capabilities Mission Solutions & Capabilities Architectural integration aligns tradeoffs, design decisions, and cross-pillar dependencies Architectural Integration Tradeoffs • Alignment • Design Decisions Cloud, DevOps, emerging compute, and decentralized platforms enabling portable execution everywhere Ubiquitous Computing Edge Computing enables data processing and decision-making closer to where data is generated to support low-latency, resilient, and mission-critical operations. Edge Computing Artificial Intelligence enables systems to learn, reason, and assist decision-making through data-driven models embedded across digital and operational workflows. Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity protects systems, data, and missions through Zero Trust principles, resilience, and continuous risk management across all domains. Cyber Security Data Management governs how data is collected, integrated, secured, and used to drive insights and decisions across the enterprise. Data Management Advanced Communications provides secure, resilient connectivity enabling data, systems, and people to operate as an integrated whole. Advanced Comms Strategic Domain Organizational Domain Process Domain Digital Domain Physical Domain

Core Capability

Providing secure, resilient connectivity through modern networking, transport protocols, and resiliency mechanisms to connect distributed architectures.

Definition

Short Definition:

Advanced Communications provides secure, resilient connectivity enabling data, systems, and people to operate as an integrated whole.

Long Definition:

Advanced Communications underpins digital transformation by connecting systems, platforms, and users across environments, including constrained or contested conditions. This pillar includes networking, transport, protocols, and resiliency mechanisms necessary for distributed architectures. Within ODXA, communications strategy aligns connectivity with mission needs, organizations manage service ownership, processes ensure reliability and continuity, digital platforms integrate messaging and data flows, and physical infrastructure delivers network capacity and reach.

This Pillar Is

  • Resilient Networking: Designing for continuity during network failure or degradation.
  • Standardized Protocols: Ensuring different systems speak the same "transport language."
  • Path Diversity: Leveraging multiple routes (Fiber, 5G, SatCom) to ensure connectivity.

This Pillar Is Not

  • Just "Getting Online": It's about the architectural integration of the link, not just its existence.
  • ISP Management: It goes beyond vendor management to technical protocol and traffic optimization.
  • Infinite Bandwidth: It assumes resources are finite and must be managed intelligently.
“Advanced Communications provides the resilient mesh that ensures data reaches its destination regardless of network degradation.”
DISTRIBUTED OPERATIONS (Cloud • Edge • Tactical Users) ADVANCED COMMUNICATIONS FABRIC Intelligent Routing • Path Diversity • Protocol Abstraction SATCOM 5G / FIBER TACTICAL

In the ODXA framework, this pillar ensures that the Digital Domain remains connected to the Physical Domain, utilizing Path Diversity to survive in contested or degraded environments.

GEAR Integration & Architect's Map

Advanced Communications provides the resilient mesh that ensures data reaches its destination regardless of network degradation within the GEAR system.

FORGE Methodology in Advanced Communications

Architects use FORGE to move from simple bandwidth procurement to a resilient mission capability.

Stage Architect's Focus Key Artifacts
Find Identify connectivity gaps, dark fiber, and unmapped mission network assets. Network Topology Map, Asset Inventory
Observe Analyze traffic patterns, latency under load, and failover performance (DDIL). Comms Performance Baseline
Reconcile Align mission priority with bandwidth allocation and protocol standards. Service Level Agreement (SLA) Matrix
Ground Root the comms strategy in existing fiber, cellular, and satellite infrastructure. Hybrid Network Integration Spec
Enhance Augment capability via SD-WAN, automated re-routing, and spectrum optimization. Resilient Mesh Blueprint

Communications Dimensions Map

How the Four Dimensions are managed to ensure ubiquitous connectivity.

Dimension Comms Play Example Check
People Training for SD-WAN management and field comms troubleshooting. Can remote operators switch between 5G and SatCom manually?
Process Automated bandwidth throttling and mission-priority routing. Is there a process to prioritize AI inference traffic over logs?
Policy Interoperability mandates and spectrum usage regulations. Does our network traffic meet jurisdictional encryption laws?
Technology SD-WAN, 5G/6G, LEO Satellites, and mesh networking protocols. Does our transport protocol handle high-latency SatCom links?

Communications-Domain Intersection

Architect's checklist for aligning Advanced Communications across O-DXA domains.

Domain Comms Requirement Verification Point
Strategic Define mission-critical reach and geographic coverage goals. Verify alignment with organizational risk posture.
Organizational Define service ownership for multi-provider network links. Check for collaboration between IT and field ops.
Process Automate bandwidth allocation based on mission priority. Verify automated failover testing frequency.
Digital Deploy SD-WAN and high-latency message queuing. Check for protocol abstraction in the app layer.
Physical Manage diverse paths (LEO, Fiber, Cellular) and sites. Verify physical hardening of site entry points.

System-of-Systems Context

Enabling Ubiquitous Computing

Provides the "Data Highway" that allows workloads to burst to the cloud or failover to on-prem clusters seamlessly.

Enabling Edge Computing

Connects decentralized edge nodes to the central core, ensuring localized decisions are eventually synced with the enterprise.

Dependency on Cybersecurity

Relies on Network Layer Encryption and Zero Trust signals to ensure the "Tunnel" is secure, regardless of the physical network owner.

Dependency on Data Management

Requires Data Prioritization—knowing which data is critical enough to send over expensive or limited links.

When to Start Here

Prioritize Advanced Communications if your digital transformation is "Stuck in the Hub"—unable to reach remote users or sites effectively due to brittle or expensive connectivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this different from standard Networking?

Networking is the *Digital* part. Advanced Communications includes the *Strategic* mission alignment, the *Physical* diversity of paths, and the *Organizational* ownership required for resilient operations.

Is SatCom better than 5G?

Neither is "better." Advanced Communications is about **Path Diversity**—using SatCom for global reach and 5G for localized low-latency, switching between them automatically based on availability.

What is "Contested Communications"?

It refers to environments (like warzones or disaster areas) where connectivity is actively jammed, intercepted, or physically destroyed. Resilient architecture is designed to survive these conditions.

Learn More

The Six Pillars

Framework Overview

The ODXA Domains

Learn ODXA Structure

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Next Steps on Your Transformation Journey

Use the Six Pillars as a common language between business leaders, architects, and operators. From here you can dive into pillar pages, listen to interviews, or explore ODXA in depth.

The Six Pillars

Explore the foundational technical capabilities that enable digital transformation, from AI to advanced communications.

Execution Pillars Overview

The ODXA Domains

Navigate the structural layers of the enterprise to align strategy, people, processes, and technology.

Map Domain Structure

Transformation Dimensions

Understand how to balance the critical dimensions of People, Process, Policy, and Technology in every initiative.

Understand Dimensions

FORGE Methodology

Apply our active methodology to Find, Observe, Reconcile, Ground, and Enhance your transformation efforts.

Apply the Practice

Continue Your Journey

Browse all DTA episodes organized by aspect to see architectural guidance in practice.

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