To achieve information superiority over an adversary, the IT-21 Warfighter must be able to collect, process and disseminate an uninterrupted flow of information. DoD and the Navy are deploying a global infosphere to achieve that superiority anywhere, anytime and in the performance of any mission.
The Defense Information Infrastructure (DII) delivers the infosphere's communications networks, computers, software, databases, applications and other capabilities. The Services are to support the DII by upgrading the Base Level Information Infrastructure (BLII) over the period 1998 through 2007, with 80 percent of the bases being completed by 2003.
The Director, Space, Information Warfare and Command and Control (CNO N6) has created the BLII to synchronize afloat IT-21 implementations and support the deployment of the Defense Message System (DMS).
BLII assets include the outside cable plants (wire/fiber optic) and the other connected voice, video and data resources such as servers, routers and telephone switches. BLII does not include the infrastructure security resources and any infrastructure that supports a single system.
System performance benchmarks for the enhanced base infrastructure have also been specified.
The Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) is DoD's consolidated, enterprise-level communications infrastructure providing the end-to-end information transfer network to support military operations. The DISN provides transport and routing of voice, circuit-switched data, packet-switched data, video and point-to-point bandwidth services for wide area, local area and metropolitan area networks (MANs). DISN connectivity to deployed and tactical users is via bandwidth managers. The base level access to the DISN is through a Service Delivery Point (SDP).
Shore infrastructure modernization activities must converge the DISN wide- area access with the enhanced capabilities provided in IT-21 to give the sustaining base and deployed warfighter the full range of information technology utilities and services.
Base-level infrastructure fielding will parallel the afloat implementation of IT-21 by delivering core and full transport, management and switching capabilities (Figure 1).
At the heart of the core transport modernization is the installation of MANs in regions with a high concentration of power projection bases and facilities. The MAN's broadband design consolidates individual base requirements and IT network services, achieving economies of scale on leased connectivity and inter-base telephone toll charges (Figure 2 on page 19). MANs will be installed in Norfolk, Oahu, San Diego and the Pacific Northwest. Potential MAN sites are Jacksonville and the Northeast.
The Network Operations Center (NOC) provides overall management of integrated operations and maintenance of assigned network management elements and services. Engineers at the Joint Systems Engineering Center (JSEC) coordinate system implementation and develop solutions to theater system engineering problems.
The base-level transport is configured to complement the high bandwidth delivery of the MAN and the requirements of the base tenants (Figure 3). A centrally funded, backbone fiber optic cable distribution system delivers the broadband throughput for IT-21 LANs, enables the migration of ATM to the desktop and enhances the high-capacity communications provided via JMCOMS (i.e., ADNS). The fiber optic cable plant is the base on-ramp to the information superhighway, providing the means for the deployment of IT applications such as DMS and GCCS. The distribution system connects the buildings on the base, giving access to the World Wide Web, public, government and military infrastructure networks and pierside connectivity for all base users, including centralized network management and firewall protection.
In individual buildings, network access is through intelligent devices, such as hubs, routers and multiplexers, installed in the telecommunication closet. As end-user requirements grow or technology is refreshed, only the terminating device needs to be upgraded. The Integrated Management Support Center (IMSC) centrally manages the intelligent devices and provides base-wide help desk services. In-building wiring is tailored to meet the user's IT-21 requirements.
At pierside, a standardized connection delivers voice, video and data access, effectively making a berthed ship appear to be another base building.
IT-enhanced regional, base and building infrastructures support real-time fleet requirements. Warrior pull cannot be fully realized until the shore infrastructure provides adequate connectivity to data bases and information processing centers.
Additional reference information on modernization is available in the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) BLII Master Plan. The plan can be downloaded from the SPAWAR Programs, Products and Services webpage at URL http://www.spawar.navy.mil/spawar/programs
The Navy Voice, Video, and Data (ViViD) contract is the recommended starting point for acquisition of infrastructure equipment and services. ViViD provides equipment, materials, digital switching and contractor support with options to buy, lease or outsource partial/entire solutions. Through ViViD, a base and/or its individual users can modernize, operate and maintain their infrastructure, as well as obtain local services.
The PC-LAN+ contract provides hardware, software, installation, maintenance, spare parts, training and other services for local area and enterprise networks. It satisfies the requirement for integration, interoperability, compatibility and resource- sharing of currently fielded LANs.
Sailors and marines, whether on ships or on the beach, must be able to access shore-based systems as if they were right next door. The objective is for each base/command to reach a critical mass of its user base so that the Navy can achieve a return on its IT investment.
A modern base information infrastructure is crucial to the IT-21 warfighter and other decision makers so that they can assess, order, respond, lead, manage and coordinate horizontally and vertically to execute their missions.