COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS FY-1981-85

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83-00156R000200030052-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2003
• Sequence Number: 52
• Publication Date: December 19, 1968
• Content Type: MF

Approved Release 2004/05/12: CIA-RDP83-00 R000200030052-6
ODP-8-2251
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Management and Assessment Staff,. DDA
FROM Clifford D. May, Jr.
Director of Data Processing
SUBJECT Communications Support Requirements
FY-1981-85
REFERENCES a. Your Memo, Same Subject, dated
17 November 1978
b. Memo from Director of Communications,
Same Subject, dated 20 October 1978
1. As requested by references a. and b., we describe
in the following paragraphs our requirements for support from
the Agency communications program for the planning years
FY 1981-1985. These requirements will be coordinated within
the Directorate, but it is possible that some duplicate
requirements exist between ODP and non-DDA organizations..
2 . Project SAFE Communications Requirements F 8.1---85:
The SAFE Headquarters communication system is being a unded,
designed, developed and tested apart from the requirements
stated in this paper. However, approximately 300 terminals
will be connected to SAFE from non-Headquarters buildings.
Communications support and funding for the circuits to
support remote. building terminals should be programmed
by OC. A reasonable maximum planning rate for outside
Headquarters (remote) terminal installations is as follows:
Fiscal Year
81
82
83
84
85
Terminals
30
100
100
40
30
The required digital data rate for these terminals is 9..6Y.B/
second. Requirements for higher rates, if any, for possible
image transmission are not yet known.
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There are interface requirements for SAFE/Cable
Dissemination Systems but neither the methods nor the
communications requirements are adequately defined at this
time. The SAFE Project Co=unications Requirements paper,
due in January 1979, should establish firm requirements
in this area.
3. COMIREX Automated -Management System (CAMS):: This
system will have 95 CRT terminals, 12 read only printers,
and 2 remote job entry devices connected to a COMTEN front-
end processor in the Special Center at the end of FY 1980.
From 1981 through 1985, we will install 15 CRT terminals
and 3 read only printers each year. In addition, we expect
to install 2 graphics terminals in 1980 and five more in
1981. The data rate for all terminals will be at least
9600 bps, but the graphics terminal rate may be higher
and require different interface equipment. In 1980, we
are going to examine the feasibility of providing for more
efficient and more closely coupled computer-to-computer
communications with partici-pat 11 g agencies, including
4. Data Communications Requirements: By the end
of FY 1980, about terminals will be connected to the
ODP computer centers. We expect that 150 will be installed
in at least twenty-five sites separate from Headquarters.
At present, asynchronous terminals are standardized at
2400 bps and synchronous at 9600 bps, but during this
year we will begin to install the new standard terminals,
which will operate at 9600 bps. All terminal installation
requirements stated below are for this rate or higher..
Continual demand for new terminals at a fairl3T steady
rate is predicted. Our surveys of customer intentions
clearly indicate more terminals required than we can
obtain, for whatever reason. Therefore, the growth rate
stated is what we believe is a reasonable expectation.,
given budget authorization, resources available for
installation, and shifting priorities, among, other con-
straints or limitations.
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Number of New Terminals
Installed (9600 bps)
83 84 85 Total
In addition, gradual replacement of existing terminal
installations with the new standard is planned.. This is
mentioned as a potential communications requirement because
the standard bps rate will go from 2400 to 9600 for each
terminal replaced.
-placement
82
Past experience leads us to expect new site instal-
lations and requirements for new data communications centers
outside Headquarters. Last year we estimated six new loca-
tions, one with 60-100 terminals and five with 10-16 during
the planning period. We believe that may be still reasonable,
but by FY 1985, not FY-82.
Our goals for reliability and error control remain
the same, that is: .995 average reliability and one
uncorrected error per week per circuit.
As noted last year, we believe minicomputer instal-
lations will be accelerated in the future. However, the
options offered in the new standard terminal could substi-
tute for minicomputers for certain functions.. As yet, ODP
does not offer a standard minicomputer configuration- There-
fore, we do not have any communications requirements for
minicomputers that are firm. We do not intend to budget
for non-standard minicomputers.
5. Technical Support: This office will install a
new CAMS computer in FY-81, and 5 new or upgraded front-
end processors by FY 1980. At the end of the planning
period, we will begin to replace some of our older computers
in the Ruffing Center. These installations will require
continuing support from OC for procurement and installation
of associated hardware, recabling, accelerated maintenance
and similar activities.
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'.ay, Jr.
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84 85 Total.