(Message inbox:3) Posted-Date: Fri 19 Dec 86 16:35:34-PST Received-Date: Fri, 19 Dec 86 19:50:19 PST Received: from C.ISI.EDU by venera.isi.edu (5.54/5.51) id AA02249; Fri, 19 Dec 86 19:50:19 PST Received: FROM SRI-NIC.ARPA BY C.ISI.EDU WITH TCP ; 19 Dec 86 19:30:47 PST Date: Fri 19 Dec 86 16:35:34-PST From: DDN Reference Subject: DDN News #51 To: DDN-NEWS:; Cc: nic@SRI-NIC.ARPA Message-Id: <12264151371.17.NIC@SRI-NIC.ARPA> The following DDN DCS newsletter was issued in hardcopy on 30 Sept 1986. It has just been transferred to online format for release to the DDN Newsletter distribution list as of today's date. -The DDN Network Information Center ====================================================================== DDN NEWS 51, SPECIAL ISSUE DCA DDN Defense Communications System 30 Sept 86 Published by: DDN Network Info Center (NIC@SRI-NIC.ARPA) (800) 235-3155 DEFENSE DATA NETWORK NEWSLETTER Maximum Distribution Requested. The DDN NEWSLETTER is distributed online by the DDN Network Information Center under DCA contract. For addition to the online mailing list, contact NIC@SRI-NIC.ARPA. Back issues may be read through the TACNEWS server ("@n" command at the TAC) or may be obtained via FTP from the SRI-NIC host [26.0.0.73 or 10.0.0.51] using login="anonymous" and password="guest". The pathname for newsletters is DDN-NEWS:DDN-NEWS-nn.TXT (where "nn" is the newsletter number). ====================================================================== Section I. OFFICIAL Topic: 1. DOD HIGHER LEVEL COMPUTER PROTOCOL TESTING 2. DDN MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING PLAN 3. NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION USE OF THE ARPANET 4. DDN WHITE PAPER ON CAPACITY 5. DDN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CERTIFICATION OFFICE (TCO) 6. INTER-SERVICE/AGENCY AUTOMATED MESSAGE PROCESSING EXCHANGE (I-S/A AMPE) 7. CONUS AUTODIN SOFTWARE ACCEPTANCE TESTING BEGINS 8. RELOCATION OF THE AUTODIN TEST FACILITY 9. CONUS AUTODIN 0&M CONFERENCE DOD HIGHER LEVEL COMPUTER PROTOCOL TESTING ------------------------------------------ The following is the text of DCA/B6l3 MSG O7OOl5Z JUN 86: QUOTE : 1. Many of you are now in the process of acquiring DoD Standard Higher Level Computer Protocols -- Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), Internet Protocol (IP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), and Network Virtual Terminal Protocol (TELNET). Some of you have required [that] DCA provide a means of testing these protocols to ensure a purchaser has obtained a working product. While DCA tests compliance at the lower computer protocol levels to assure proper network interface, there is no requirement at this time for DCA to provide the same assurance at the higher computer protocol levels. However, in the interest of gaining some measure of confidence in interoperability, a functional test is desirable. We solicit your comments on the following proposal for host computers; the similar issue for gateways will be resolved later. 2. Two levels of test, each involving two computer systems, are proposed. In the first test level, DCA will test your proposed host system against a DCA reference host computer system for compliance with DoD high level computer protocols. This will give you a known good reference host. In the second test level, your Service/Agency uses its remaining systems and determines if the purchased higher level protocol software is functionally acceptable and meets contract requirements. 3. In order to compliance-test your proposed Service/Agency reference host, you will need to write test driver software for each protocol. We will provide specifications and we estimate six man-months will be required to write the test driver software. If all goes well, the compliance test will take two days to accomplish and your reference host will be certified. The actual test of the proposed reference host is accomplished across the DDN and assumes a qualified lower level interface. As each Service/Agency needs to accept test higher level protocol software, you will use the DCA provided Generic Test Plan, your reference host, and the system to be tested. The acceptance criteria of each higher level protocol software package would be determined by the procuring Service/Agency. 4. While there is some effort needed to make this proposal work, it will result in some assurance you are getting the higher level host computer protocols you are buying. Writing the Generic Test Plan would take a few months. The Beta testing of your reference system can start as soon as you are ready. Although DCA has not yet accomplished a higher level protocol compliance test, we are ready for Beta testing and looking for volunteer systems. 5. We are also able to offer you our Compliance Test Software. You could then have the same reference host that DCA has at DCEC. Our system is a DEC VAX 11/750, but the software we have developed can be made to operate with other DEC VAX/MICROVAX equipment. 6. The Compliance Test guarantees both interoperability and protocol standards conformity, but it is costly. The functional test provides less assurance, but at less cost. Any of the testing methods require computer protocol knowledgeable personne1. POC for comments is Chuck Ely or Lt Col Steve Rose, DCA/B6l3, (703) 285-5337 or (V) 356-5337. UNQUOTE. All Military Departments and most Defense Agencies received this message. Questions on what your Service/Agency is doing can be answered by your Headquarters. (LtCol Rose/DCA/B6l3/(703) 285-5445) DDN MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING PLAN ------------------------------- This week the Defense Data Network Management Engineering Plan (MEP) was sent to the Services, Defense Intelligence Agency, and OJCS for signature. The Plan is the primary DCA document for defining and controlling program tasks and activities to be implemented by the participating DOD components. The MEP provides the baseline to be used in preparing the Implementation Installation Plan and all other supporting documentation within the DOD components. The MEP is designed to be concise and dynamic to allow for changes throughout the life of the program. (Lt Col Russ Mundy/DCA/B6O2/(703) 285-5481) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION USE OF THE ARPANET ---------------------------------------------- A National Science Foundation (NSF) Program Status Review was held Friday, 12 Sep to discuss the NSF project with representatives of NSF and DARPA. This project has recently taken a big step toward achieving operational status during the month of August. Three NSF sites, including the NSF Headquarters, have connected to the ARPANET and begun test and acceptance procedures. In total, there are now 34 universities and supercomputer facilities which have expressed interest in the NSF project. Another 9 sites have indicated a desire to become part of this program as a result of advertising by NSF. Actions on these new sites will be held in abeyance while ARPANET topology is studied. This will be done to improve the performance of the network, and to determine how to best add the new subscribers to the ARPANET. Once modeling is complete, addition of the new NSF requirements can proceed with the assurance of adequate network performance. To better accommodate the current traffic while allowing for additional traffic, three more PSNs are being added to the network. Two of the sites have already been surveyed. Soon, we expect to survey the third site at the University of Maryland. All three sites should have packet switch nodes installed by next spring. (Maj Jim Jack/DCA/B64l/(703) 285-5037) DDN WHITE PAPER ON CAPACITY --------------------------- The Defense Data Network (DDN) White Paper on High Capacity for DOD Data Transmission was forwarded to the Services and Defense Agencies. The paper focused on four points: a. DDN is an evolving system with large capacity. b. DDN technology facilitates the expansion of network capacity to meet the requirements imposed by the user population. c. DDN is able to identify user requirements and is capable of expansion in order to meet those requirements. d. The technical means exist to verify that the network design is adequate to serve the stated requirements. (Lt Col Russ Mundy/DCA/B6O2/(703) 285-5481) DDN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CERTIFICATION OFFICE (TCO) ------------------------------------------------- 1. Effective 22 Sep 86, the DDN TCO has moved to a new location. Along with this move, the responsibilities of the DDN TCO personnel have also been adjusted to reflect better management of requirements and to provide a better response to the users. The adjustment of responsibilities are as follows and are to be used by all for status on DDN requirements: a. Chief, DDN TCO - Mr. Ron Gutschmidt, COML (703) 285-5100, (V) 356-5100. b. Feeder TSR/Connect Order through TSO process. Supv - Mr. Charleton Woodward COML (703) 359-1368 Army - Mr. Joe Stelmak COML (703) 359-1357 Navy - Mr. Pat Royse COML (703) 359-1359 Mr. Craig Hilliard COML (703) 359-1358 AF - Ms. Sherry Royse COML (703) 359-1386 Ms. Sara Brandner COML (703) 359-1409 Others - Mr. Bill Parker COML (703) 359-1356 AUTOVON numbers for the above personnel are 289-5798/5799/5816/5817/ 5818/5819 c: CLAM through IN-EFFECT process. Army - Mr. Tom Edwards, COML (703) 285-5339, (V) 356-5339 (Section Supv) Navy - RM2 Debbie McCloud, COML (703) 285-5571, (V) 356-5571 AF - Ms. Julie Damme, COML (703) 285-5486, (V) 356-5486 Others - TSgt Tommie McDonald, COML (703) 285-5343, (V)356-5343 Ms. Susan Mulligan, COML (703) 285-5474, (V) 356-5474 2. To ensure continuity with users and the DDN TCO along with timely response to your inquiries, request you contact the appropriate individuals listed in paragraph lB and lC above for status on DDN requirements. 3. The DDN TCO can also receive requests for status by facsimile. The telephone number for the DDN TCO FAX is COML (703) 285-5475, (V) 356-5475. (Mr. Ron Gutschmidt, DDN TCO/B643/COML (703) 285-5100, (V) 356-5100. INTER-SERVICE/AGENCY AUTOMATED MESSAGE PROCESSING EXCHANGE ---------------------------------------------------------- (I-S/A AMPE) ------------ During early August, the Government and TRW agreed on alternate design approaches to resolve the issues surfaced during the System Design Review (SDR) in May. A revised System Specification which incorporates these alternate design approaches was delivered to the Government for review on l8 September. SDR closure is now projected to occur once the A-Specification is approved. A new TRW team, under new program management, has been formed and efforts to definitize the entire program schedule have been underway during August and September. A revised I-S/A AMPE Design Period schedule should be available by mid October. Negotiations are currently underway with TRW on the cost ceiling for the I-S/A AMPE Monitoring Center applications software development addition to the existing I-S/A AMPE contract. Assuming that a mutually agreeable cost ceiling can be achieved and subject to final approval, issuance of a Change Order is projected for the Oct timeframe. (Merle E. Fleit/DCA/B604/(703) 285-5131) CONUS AUTODIN SOFTWARE ACCEPTANCE TESTING BEGINS ------------------------------------------------ Acceptance testing of the CONUS AUTODIN E-16 Software Assembly began on 8 September 1986. The new assembly is designed to permit use of the new AUTODIN Terminal Concentrators (ATC's) as the system "front end" devices. The ATC's will work in conjunction with, and eventually replace, the older Accumulation and Distribution Units (ADU's), which date to the early 1960's and have become unsupportable in recent years. The new equipment will be installed on a planned phase-in schedule over the next two years. In addition to replacing aging equipment, the ATC's will also be faster, provide greater security, and add connectivity capability. The latter is important because, in recent years, the number of prospective AUTODIN customers has increased while the number of available system ports has remained static. (Mr. Harry Perkins/DCA/B67O/(V) 343-2124) RELOCATION OF THE AUTODIN TEST FACILITY --------------------------------------- The Overseas AUTODIN System Test Facility (AUTOFAC) at the U.S. Army East Coast Telecommunications Center (ECTC) at Fort Detrick, MD, is being moved from the second floor to the first floor of the large central communications building, which also houses the Detrick AUTODIN Switching Center (ASC). The move has been undertaken by the Army in order to make room for the Washington Area Wideband System (WAWS) equipment. The current effort will provide installation and checkout of the Patch and Test Facility and the Bulk Storage Subsystem. The work is being performed by the U. S. Army Informations Systems Installation Battalion, from Fort Huachuca, AZ, with the assistance of ECTC personnel. The equipment being installed is Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) for the Overseas AUTODIN processor replacement upgrade. That upgrade is now under contract to American Satellite Co., which will install the new VAX 11/785 processors at the AUTOFAC as the first stage of the processor replacement program for the Overseas AUTODIN system. (Mr. Harry Perkins/DCA/B67O/(V) 343-2124) CONUS AUTODIN 0&M CONFERENCE ---------------------------- The annua1 Operations and Maintenance (O&M) conference for the CONUS AUTODIN system was held on 16-17 September at the Sheraton Inn in Frederick, MD. The conference was sponsored by DCA. Attendees were briefed on the CONUS AUTODIN upgrades, including the AUTODIN Terminal Concentrator (ATC), and the Automated Patch and Test Facility (PTF), which is now in operation at four AUTODIN Switching Centers (ASC's) and will be extended to the other five ASC's over the next two years. Conference participants raised several issues of concern, which DCA agreed to review. After the formal meetings, conference attendees toured the Fort Detrick ASC and saw the first installed ATC in operation under test. Persons from sites not having the Automated PTF also toured the Detrick PTF and observed operation of that equipment. (Mr. Harry Perkins/DCA/B67O/(V) 343-2124) -------