ADDITION OF A TAPE UNIT TO THE 650 LOCATOR SYSTEM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01794R000100200009-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 26, 2001
• Sequence Number: 9
• Publication Date: June 7, 1961
• Content Type: MFR

/31
Approved For Release 2002/01/15 : CIA-RDP80-01794R000100200009-0
C 1A 1-T- US -ONLY
7 June 1961
SUBJECT : Addition of a Tape Unit to the 650 Locator System
1. The IBM 650 RAMAC Locator System used by RID/SB has
had several instances of loss of a track of information. Due to
the chaining principle used in the program, this can result in
the loss of several tracks. Recently a track was lost; the
information on it was recovered only because a print-out of that
track had been made a few days earlier. Upon checking it was
found that this track led to 35 other tracks which would have also
been lost.
2. We therefore must take steps to maintain a back-up of the
six modules of disk files we use. This must be done on some cyclic
basis.
3. On the system as presently constituted, we may either
punch out cards or list out. Punch out would involve 90 hours
and print-out 4+0 hours. These result in large stacks of cards or
paper to be held, and the cycle period would have to be loner.
4. With the addition of a single tape unit at $550 per month
and changes in the control and storage units at $450 per month we
will be able to dump all six modules in less than six hours to
magnetic tape. At this speed the entire system may be dumped e?irh
week and the up-date cards destroyed.
5. The tape unit will also greatly simplify and speed the
conversion from the 650 to the 1410.
6. We have therefore decided to add the tape capacity to the
650 system. This addition will be made within 60 days, but print-out
will be made for protection until that time. Until the arrival of
the tape unit IBM has waived all extra shift rental required for the
print-out.
25X1A
USE ONLY Declassifie
cc: C/RID
Approved O4" 2002/01/15 : CIA-RDP80-01794R000100200009-0