FIELD BUREAU AUTOMATION ERB MEETING REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2012
• Sequence Number: 39
• Publication Date: June 26, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
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 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SES-130-87
26 June 1987
MEMORANDUM FOR: Distribution
THROUGH: Chief, Requirements Analysis Branch, ADD/ESG/FBIS
FROM: Laird Steinberg
Systems Engineering Support, GE
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
1. An FBA Engineering Review Board was held on 25 June 1987 at
1300. See Attachment A for the list of attendees. See Attachment B for
the agenda.
2.I opened the meeting and reviewed the minutes of the
last FBA ERB meeting.
a. Bill Stanbridge has received the LEC training handout on
bureau DR Procedures and will formalize the FBA ERB DR Procedures.
b. The draft FBA CM Policy has been reviewed by C/ESG. Bill
will incorporate the changes recommended by C/ESG.
c. The numbering of DRs and RFCs prepared by the FBA ERB will
include the digraph of the affected bureau and a sequential number
beginning with 901 (ie.,DR-AU-901-87, RFC-AU-901-87).
'f ?) S S cc.Au.. O4-L ..v s
d. bureau PC Security procedures have been
received and reviewed. -will work 'th ' to finalize the -7 procedures. `t(a S .0,
e. The BACH 1.3 software and documentation will be pouched to
each bureau, except Vienna and Hong Kong, on 29 June 1987: Write Now
1.51 software will be included in this shipment. BACH 11.3gis part of
the FBA-1 baseline and LEC will need to submit an RFC to` change the
baseline at the FBA-1 bureaus to BACH 1.3b prior to August.
STAT
STAT
STAT
SIAI
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
3. Twila reviewed the status of open DRs. See Attachment C for the
DR Status Report.
a. DR-SK-001-87 BACH Capitalization Errors
The BACH 2.0 software currently under development will correct
the problem reported by Seoul. BACH 2.0 software will be released
approximately 30 S QP#Ahpw x`987.
b. DR-SK-003-86 Copal Printer
LOGS has shipped the new Epson printer to replace the Copal
printer. No response has been received regarding arrival of the
printer. will check on the shipment if no word has been
received by une. DR remains open pending arrival of the printer
at Seoul.
The ERB is waiting for notification that the bureau has received
the diagnostic software, reformatting instructions and replacement
disk. Nick will check on the shipment if no word has been received
by 30 June. DR remains open pending arrival and results of
reformatting efforts.
Vienna would like to know if Comscribe printers could be used on
the FBA-1 system LAN. The ERB has determined that Comscribe printers
are compatible with the FBA-1 LAN. The ERB has designated the
Okidata 192 with the paper roll and serial interface as the standard
FBA-1 commo printer. DR is closed
No further problems with the LIPS-10 laser printer have been
reported. LEC repairs were apparently effective. LEC will be
delivering Data Products laser printers to the bureaus, beginning
with the installation of the FBA-1 system at Bangkok. The LIPS-10
laser printers at Vienna and Hong Kong will eventually be returned to
FBIS Headquarters for use at Reston, and replaced with Data Products
laser printers. Nick will send a message to advise Vienna and Hong
Kong. DR is closed.
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
Vienna has requested opening a 2nd transmit port in order to send
channel checks and keep the alt-route circuit open. DR remains open
pending preparation of an RFC and impact evaluation by LEC.
g. DR-AU-005-87 File Server Disk Space
Vienna has a problem with Press Agency files, (many of which do
not contain valid messages), over-filling the file server disk
space. Regardless of the length of the message, a full 4 kbyte
segment is used for each message. As a result, the file server disk
space will fill up within 4 days versus the planned 7 day storage
capability. The minimum 4 kbyte block size can not be changed.
Temporarily, the solution is to purge the files more frequently.
However, this process requires manual review of each file and is time
consuming. The ERB has approved a LEC recommendation to expand the
minimum amount of unrecognizable material that comes after a valid
SOM and before the next EOM or SOM from 10 characters to 240
characters, and to provide a variable purge for press agency data.
LEC will complete development and testing of the required software
and documentation changes by 7 July 1987. Twila will send a message
to Vienna to verify the FBA-2 requirement for only 7 days on line
storage of outgoing messages.
h. DR-AU-007-87 Intermittent Operation of Yugo IBM PCs
Vienna has had 2 IBM failures. The ERB has decided not to
upgrade the old IBM PCs at the other bureaus. IBM PCs will be left
as stand alones at the bureaus or shipped to FBIS Headquarters. LEC
is shipping Victor PCs to Vienna to replace the IBM PCs on the FBA-1
LAN. DR is closed.
i. DR-AU-008-87 BTA Items Continue to Break-up
Vienna has experienced a re-occurance of BTA items breaking up.
Vienna changed the SOM code to "ATA " and corrected the problem. DR
is closed.
J. DR-AU-009-87 Change Press Agency Circuit to RS-232
Vienna has requested an upgrade to their commo line interface.
Specifically, Vienna would like to change the press agency circuit
interface to RS-232. The ERB has assigned the DR to FED for
investigation.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
Vienna has experienced a video board failure. LEC has notified
Victor of continuing problems with video board failures. Victor is
changing suppliers and will provide new boards to LEC within 30
days. LEC will test the new boards and send them to Vienna. Vienna
will return the old video boards to LEC for shipment to Victor.
1. DR-AU-901-87 Comm problems with Crfughton switch
Vienna continues to experience a problem with garbled Is on
messages while using the DTS circuit between Vienna and Critughton.
This problem results in a large number of ZFXs at Vienna. Scott
Carpenter is preparing a formal DR to submit to the ERB.
4. Twila reported on the status of the FBA-1 System at Vienna.
a. Vienna has been authorized to purchase the voltage
regulator. A surge protector is also required for each PC. LEC is
preparing to send the surge protectors by 1 July 1987. The power
problems Vienna has experienced should be resolved once the voltage
regulator and surge protectors are installed.
b. The possible future RFCs to the FBA-1 system from Vienna
presented by LEC at the last ERB are being evaluated by Scott
Carpenter.
c. Scott presented a technical evaluation of suggestions
received from Vienna. The evaluation will be
discussed at the next ERB.
d. The question of leaving a modem at the FBA-1 bureaus after
the LEC installation and training teams leave has been evaluated with
respect to the bureau PC security procedures being developed. The
ERB has decided that the possible security problems outweigh any
benefits and that the LEC team will regard the modem as an
installation tool which they will return to Plainfield. Twila will
send a message to all FBA-1 bureaus regarding LEC use of the modem
only for installation and test of the FBA-1 LAN system.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
5. Twila also reported on the status of Key West.
a. The failed monitor presumably has been returned to LEC. As
of now, no word on its location has been received.
b. Key West has requested Headquarters approval to buy
additional printers with bureau funds. Key West has also requested
an ERB recommendation on which printers to buy. The ERB recommends
the Okidata 192 Qj kS
c. The problems with power quality in Haiti were under-
estimated. Key West will provide a small UPS or line conditioner to
alleviate the problem.
f. Scott Carpenter will prepare the RFC to the Key West system
baseline. This RFC will propose removing the ASCII to Baudot
converter from the Key West commo circuit when FBIS Headquarters
transitions from the MIDAS system to the AFS system.
6. Twila reported on the status of the installation at Hong Kong.
a. The hardware and LAN installation is complete. Jack and Ting
are still investigating the commo circuits. No problems have been
found.
b. is scheduled to arrive in Hong Kong 29 June
1987. is leaving for Hong Kong on 6 July 1987.
c. LEC had no problem obtaining a signal analyzer. The Hong
Kong System Administrator has been identified. The installation team
has been meeting with the Bureau Chief everyday and a status report
will be sent at the end of each week.
d. Hong Kong has not yet received their FBA-1 printers.
e. IOC for Hong Kong is expected to be 17 July 1987.
f. Information on the status of the Hong Kong installation is
also being sent to Bangkok which i-s-the next FBA-1 bureaus
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
7. Open Discussion covered the following topics:
a. LEC will send a power engineer and a communications
specialist to Bangkok to verify power and communications interface
requirements prior to the FBA-1 system installation.
b. The Bangkok FBA-1 equipment is scheduled to be shipped from
LEC to Headquarters on 21 July 1987. If the laser printers for
Bangkok have not arrived and been tested at LEC by 21 July, this
shipment will be made without them. The printers will be shipped
separately if necessary.
c. Bangkok has notified the ERB that the bureau floor plan has
been changed, apparently in preparation for the FBA-1 system
installation. Bangkok also provided a proposed equipment layout.
Tom will provide a copy of the floor plan to LEC. Tom will also send
a message to Bangkok advising them that the commo computer will need
to be relocated.
d. Twila provided additional guidance for LEC on which bureau
printers are a LEC support responsibility. All bureau printers which
were not provided by FED, regardless of their use, are a LEC support
responsibility.
8. The next Field Bureau ERB is scheduled for Tuesday, 30 June at
Attachments:
A. FBA ERB Attendees
B. FBA ERB Agenda
C. DR Status Report
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
DS&T/FBIS/ESG/ADD/SES:LSteinberg:mlh/527-8600 (26JUN87)
Distribution:
Original - C/ESG
1 - C/ADD
1 - DC/ADD
1 - C/RAB
1 - C/HED
1 - C/FED
1 - C/PROD
1 - C/OPS
1 - SAM/PROD
1 - SA/OPS
1 - W. Pratt, COTR
1 - T. Forrest, Bur. Seg. Mgr.
1 - LEC
1 - GE/SES Staff
1 - GE/SES Chrono
1 - ADD Staff
1 - ADD Chrono
14 - Bureau Chiefs
1 - Cologne
3 - S & T Units
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2
MEMORANDUM F R: The Record
FROM: Scott C.
SUBJECT: Comments on
1. Comment
the necessary cann
convenient. Until
software to provide
universal need for t}i
memo of 1 May 1987 to ERB.
on section I. Transmit is capable of containing
d messages while it is true that they are not as
ow, there was no requirement for the Transmit
his capability. I am sure that if there is a
software modified to p
s then the requirement can be added and the
ovide the feature. The number of Bureaus
desiring their commo li'
sent should be investiga
e to activate without a commo operator pre-
last paragraph of the sec
the Transmit workstation.
ed as it may make some uncomfortable. The
ion discusses the use of two comm-ports in
The main purpose of this is to supposedly
maintain a mark (a constan
London does not think the 1
ways. LEC should investigat
require spec changes also.
low or high level) on the line so that
dead. This can be handled in other
the use of two comm-ports. This would
2. Comments on section I
the Press Agency (PA) and User D
need for the user to know where t
In the current configuration of
abase (UDB) software, there is no
is. This was done to provide some
Using the UDB software, the user pu
they want. The UDB log does provide
files are or what the file name
ecurity to the original file.
a copy of the file anywhere
ore information on the files
than both of Mohan's programs as well
While LEC is planning and working on a
s being source specific.
version installed in Vienna is quite ade
ew version, the prototype
pate and there is no current
or foreseeable need for any stand-alone P
s for Press Agency work..
3. Remaining Comments. The MakeLog an
useful and could make life easier for the us
anybody using them. I do not see any problem
Wipe programs look
s. I did not view
ith them being used
off-line. The PhraseA program is a bit differ
only useful in a concurrent atmosphere. Curren
unsolved problems with TSR compatibility between
y there are some
he network and
DoubleDos so I do not recommend its use at this poll
not have a large following (2 or 3 users) but this
nt. PhraseA does
need for some kind of database to contain phrases, a
and new translations, and names.
t since it is really
oes point at a
ronyms, unusual
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280039-2