FIELD BUREAU AUTOMATION ERB MEETING REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2012
• Sequence Number: 40
• Publication Date: July 7, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SES-131-87
7 July 1987
MEMORANDUM FOR: Distribution
THROUGH: Chief, Requirements Analysis Branch, ADD/ESG/FBIS
FROM: Laird Steinberg
System Engineering Support, GE
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
1. An FBA Engineering Review Board was held on 30 June 1987 at
1300. See Attachment A for the list of attendees. See Attachment B for
the agenda.
2. opened the meeting and reviewed the minutes of the
last FBA ERB meeting.
a. The draft FBA CM Policy has been reviewed by C/ESG. Bill
Stanbridge will incorporate the changes recommended by C/ESG and
provide the revised FBA CM Policy to Twila by 28 July 1987.
b. Bill has received the LEC Bureau training handout on DR
Procedures and will formalize the FBA ERB DR Procedures by 14 July
1987.
c. The FBIS Security Officer's bureau PC Security procedures
STAT
have been received and reviewed. will work with the S.O. STAT
to finalize the procedures while is in Hong Kong. STAT
d. The BACH 1.3 software has been sent by unclassified pouch to
all of the bureaus, except Vienna and Hong Kong. Twila sent out a
message informing the bureaus of the forthcoming pouch, a detailed
list of contents, and instructions.
e. Twila will be contacting Paraguay to insure the delivery of
their Victor PC in time to have BACH 1.3a up and running prior to 21
August.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
3. Twila reviewed the status of open DRs. See Attachment C for the
DR Status Report.
LEC has investigated the DR and determined that resources will not be
available to develop the desired change to the FBA-1 system until the
FBA-2 development begins. In the interim, LEC recommends the use of
a stand alone PC workstation on the backup commo line. The primary
commo line would remain connected to the TRANSMIT PC workstation on
the LAN. Twila will send a message to advise Vienna. Scott
Carpenter will investigate this desired change for possible impact on
the FBA-2 requirements. DR is closed.
b. DR-AU-003-87 Press Agency UPS
The ERB has agreed with the LEC recommendation that all Press Agency
PCs be on an UPS. LEC needs direction to implement this change.
Twila will send a memo to LEC regarding this decision and have LEC
change the FBA-1 configuration. DR is closed.
c. DR-AU-005-87 File Server Disk Space
The ERB has agreed with the LEC recommended solution to the problem
created by the Novell scheme of a 4K minimum fixed block size. Twila
will send a memo to LEC regarding this decision and have LEC make the
following changes to the FBA-1 configuration;
(1) 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. This will reduce the number of
invalid message files made.
(2) Provide a variable purge for Press Agency data. The
purge function will default to 7 days, but the System
Administrator can modify it to 3, 4, 5, or 6 days. This will
make it easier for the System Administrator to purge Press Agency
files and keep the log accurate.
LEC will complete development and testing of the required software
and documentation changes by$5 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. DR remains open.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
d. DR-AU-007-87 Intermittent Operation of Yugo IBM PCs
Two Victor PCs are being shipped to Vienna by LEC to replace the
failed IBM PCs. Nick will track the shipping process. DR is closed.
e. DR-AU-009-87 Change Press Agency Circuit to RS-232
Vienna has requested an upgrade to their Press Agency interface.
Specifically, Vienna would like to change the circuit interface from
current loop to RS-232. The ERB has assigned the DR to FED for
investigation. DR remains open.
The ERB expects to receive the new boards from LEC by 28 July 1987.
As soon as they are received, they will be sent to Vienna. DR
remains open.
g. DR-AU-011-87 FBA TRANSMIT
Vienna has requested an extra PC for their backup commo line. This
DR is related to the interim solution to DR-AU-001-87. Each bureau
which requires an extra PC for their backup commo line will retain
one PC (IBM or Leading Edge) for stand alone use on the backup commo
line and one matching PC as a hot spare. DR is closed.
h. DR-AU-012-87 TRANSMIT Program Shortcomings
The TRANSMIT program does not operate the same as COMMOUT. LEC is
investigating this complaint and will provide the ERB with a
recommendation by 7 July 1987. DR remains open.
Vienna has experienced a problem with the PGUP and PGDOWN system and
CTRL-F and CTRL-A commands on hyphenated words. This problem will be
investigated by Lee Walker. LEC will provide the ERB with a
recommendation by 14 July 1987. DR remains open.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
J. DR-AU-014-87 Press Agency Files
The Press Agency invalid message files are listed in the database but
are not found when attempting to make a copy after a seven day purge
was done on the database. This problem appears to be related to
DR-AU-005-87. The ERB decided to wait until DR-AU-005-87 is resolved
to determine if the solution also corrects DR-AU-014-87. DR remains
open.
k. DR-AU-015-87 User Database Program
Vienna reported that the user database program lacks a page up
feature and the capability to view the entire item on the screen.
LEC will provide the results of their TI to the ERB onjo July 1987.
DR remains open.
1. DR-AU-016-87 Press Agency Program
Vienna has requested a daily Press Agency log versus the current
seven day log. LEC is investigating this DR and will report to the
ERB onA July 1987. DR remains open.
m. DR-AU-017-87 Hardcopy Printouts on PA received from APA
Vienna has requested the use of a stand alone PC in order to select
and print only those Press Agency files needed by the bureau. The
ERB requires additional information to justify the requirement.
Scott Carpenter will draft a message to Vienna requesting additional
information and justification. DR remains open.
n. DR-AU-018-87 AGERPRES Items Being Stored in Wrong Areas
The start sequence for the items was wrong and has been corrected.
The problem is resolved. DR is closed.
Vienna has reported successful communications on the DTS circuit
without any modifications at the bureau. The ERB regards the problem
as tentatively resolved and suspects that the Croughton switch
corrected the situation. DR remains open.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 ,. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
p. DR-MB-003-87 IBM PC Disk Problem
The ERB is still waiting for notification that the bureau has
received the diagnostic software, reformatting instructions and
replacement disk. Nick will investigate the status of the shipment.
DR remains open.
q. DR-SK-001-87 BACH Capitalization Errors
The BACH 2.0 software is being developed and will correct the
capitalization error problems. The BACH 2.0 software is scheduled
for distribution about 30 September 1987. DR remains open.
r. DR-SK-003-87 Copal Printer Failure
LOGS has shipped the new Epson printer to replace the Copal printer.
Nick will investigate the status of the shipment. DR remains open.
s. DR-BK-901-87 Multiple Press Agency Workstations on LAN
Multiple Press Agency workstations are required on the LAN for
Okinawa. However, the present software allows for only 1 Press
Agency workstation. LEC will develop the modifications required by
4 August 1987. DR remains open.
4. Twila reported on the status of the FBA-1 System at Vienna.
a. Twila received a message from Vienna informing the ERB that
outgoing messages have been sent via the DTS circuit to Croughton
without problems for three hours.
b. The preparation of an RFC to the TRANSMIT software will be
discussed at the next meeting.
5. Twila also reported on the status of Key West.
a. The failed Victor monitor has not been received at
Headquarters or LEC. ~~ will investigate.
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 . Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
b. In response to the Key West request for an ERB recommendation
on additional printers which they wish tourchase, the ERB
recommended the Okidata 192 Plus. F~ is checking on the roll
paper holders which are on order.
c. The RFC regarding the ASCII communication system at Key West
is being developed by Scott. He will present it to the ERB by 4
August 1987.
6. Twila reported on the status of the installation at Hong Kong.
Muhl.
a. The a u~ ent installation is on schedule. The hardware
installation g~ be completed by 26 .1 .. All test messages have
been successful. Copies of all messages have been sent to Bangkok
and Okinawa. SAT is expected to occur 2 July 1987.
0.
b. The laser printers are ex ected to arrive in Hong Kong ? UD
July. The Okidata 192 printerSiatue at LEC on 6 July. W6 mu., be
?de+a7 t1. I I'oru m.
c. Hong Kong has 7 IBM PCs left at the bureau. The ERB received
a message from Hong Kong requesting retention of these PCs for the
following uses.
(1) One PC dedicated for use as a backup commo link with the
antenna field.
(2) Two PCs for use in the editorial room as a stand alone
for use during shift overlaps.
(3) One PC for use by the part-time Philippine monitor as a
stand alone in the bureau.
(4) Two PCs for use by contractors at home in order to
produce soft copy and prevent having to ey io the work.
(5) One PC for use as a spare.
The ERB approved the request for number 3. and 5. above. Twil will
send a message to Hong Kong approving these uses. will
investigate the requirements for the additional requests when he
arrives in Hong Kong.
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
 P Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0
SUBJECT: Field Bureau Automation ERB Meeting Report
7. Open Discussion covered Scott's comments on memo of STAT
1 May 1987. The first two topics, regarding TRANSMIT software and the
Press Agency and User Database software, have been covered by DRs. The
third topic pertains to the use of the MakeLog, Wipe, and Phrase A
programs. The ERB decided to consider requirement changes to the software
for FBA-2 based on FBA-1 user comments. Scott will draft a message to
Vienna regarding 8 -.uJ. -- -programs.-,- s.
8. The next Field Bureau ERB is scheduled for Tuesday, 7 July at
Laird Steinberg
Attachments:
A. FBA ERB Attendees
B. FBA ERB Agenda
C. DR Status Report
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280040-0