MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM (MCA-66) - NPIC PROCUREMENT OF UNIVAC 111C MULTIPROCESSOR

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82M00531R000400010001-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 20, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 17, 1973
• Content Type: MF

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WORKING GROUP - N 4BNRS
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William Deary
Don Stigers, Alternate
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THROUGH
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Copy of
17 October 1973
SUBJECT . Management Committee A enda Item (MCA-66) - NPIC
Procurement o Multiprocessor
1. Problem. To recommend a position for D/DCI/IC on MCA-66. The
proposal . is that NPIC lease ystem to upgrade its present
I I equipment. The enhanced capability is to serve NPIC in the
1975-80 period, and to handle the II problem. The proposal involves
some design preliminaries starting this fall, equipment leasing in
April 1975, and change-over completed in August 1978.
2. The NPIC Operational Concept includes an interactive ADP system
that will support up to connected terminals, provide a 10-second
response for critical functions, and provide 96% availability of the
computer system, i.e., 23 of 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. The
system is to support multiple, linked data bases, including the files
in the National Base of Imagery Derived Information (NBIDI), some of
which are accessible to the intelligence community via COINS.
25X1 3. CIA Positions. Ion behalf of OJCS agrees with
the NPIC recommendation on a as Chairman,
Information Processing Board, also approves. ey o sk for a state-
25X1 ment of further justification for =terminals, citing security and
logistics problems, and they question the need for dual processors,
which NPIC's Plan says are needed to achieve the 96% availability. They
request further reporting on these points.
4. Proposed D/DCI/IC Position.
a. Support NPIC Plan to procure UNIVAC 1110. It is not
practicable to call upon the community and DOD to agree to standardize
on computer hardware. DOD is attempting to standardize on Honeywell. for
WWMCCS and IDHS;
25X1 Compatibility in a communications network be-
tween computers can be achieved through the addition of interface equip-
ment. This is the route COINS is taking.
b. Request Management Committee to instruct that NPIC should
have discussions with COINS people, addressing the technical question of
25X1 the specifications of the interface equipment that COINS should use to
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c. Re uest Management Committee to instruct NPIC to elaborate
on proposal for computer terminals -- i.e., support
ecommendation for additional data. The particular interest o
D DCI IC relates to details of planning fcr that portion of those
terminals (believed to be 50 - 100) that may be located in State, DIA
and NSA. What impact does this have on the planned development of
the COINS communication network? Are NPIC and COINS planning harmonious?
d. Record with the Management Committee the continuing in-
terest of D/DCI IC and the availability of the Intelligence Information
Handling Committee (IHC) to serve as focal point for interrelating Agency
and Community interests.
Attachment - Detailed Staff Study
Acting airman
IHC
Distribution:
#1 - General Graham
#2 -
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SUBJECT: Management Committee Agenda Item (MCA-66) - NPIC Procurement of
Multiprocessor System
1. PPt OGLE 4 :
To recommend a position for D/DCI/IC to take in the Management Committee
on Item MCA-66.
The question is whether or not to support the NPIC proposal to upgrade
its present equipment, by replacing it with a leased 25X1
system. This pan or ADP support is based on NPIC projections as to how the
Center will operate in the years 1975-1980. The proposal is to upgrade in
phases, commencing with some design preliminaries in the fall of 1973, leading
to equipment leasing in April 1975, and completion of the transition by
August 1978.
The aspect of particular interest to IC Staff is the impact of this
proposal on the intelligence community, particularly the issue of compati-
bility of equipment among agencies.
2. BACKGROUND
a. NPIC's Explicit Planning Assumptions. In developing its analysis of
computer alternatives, NPIC included the following among its assumptions:
(1) "NPIC will continue to be the repository for the information
contained in certain of the National Base of Imagery Derived Informa-
tion Files and ... this information must be available to the intelli-
gence community." (NPIC Plan, p. 1)
b. NPIC's ADP Operational Concept.
(1) "Our conceptual design is general, flexible and expansible.
It is modular and open-ended so that we can accommodate changes with
minimal cost and effort. The central computer facility must be located
I land must support users who are located elsewhere. Sup-
port to these external users will be provided via terminals connected
through communication lines and via delivery of magnetic tapes." (NPIC
Plan, p. 2)
(2) "Our concept is based on a major premise: support to the ex-
ploitation process must be independent of the collection system. In
other words, any ADP support capability that is available for the ex-
ploitation of imagery from one collection system should be available
for all collection systems.
(3) "In addition to providing direct support to imagery interpre-
ters, we must support other users of our information such as substan-
tive analysts. For this support the key element is that the informa-
tion be in the form which is most suitable to their needs. We antici-
pate an increasing emphasis on information networks; therefore, we
plan to provide support to a community-wide network(s) in the 1975-1980
time frame." (NPIC Plan, p. 3)
(4) "Another design goal is to provide an interactive ADP system
so that a user can have access (within security limits) to information
whenever he needs it. In order to provide this capability, we plan to:
" -- support up to 500 connected terminals
" -- provide a 10-second response for critical functions, and
" -- provide 96% availability of the computer system, i.e.,
23 of 2I hours per day, 7 days a week.
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g. OPPB Review of NPIC Plan (Chmn, Information Processing Board memo,
1 October 73)
1) tes, relative to the points raised
On balance, I feel that compatibility with the Headquarters
ystems should not be the determiner and that the NPIC plan to
upgrade th ystem should be endorsed."
(2) "1 do agree that the points made should
be pursued by NPIC, and recommend that approval or cua processor
1110s be contingent upon further defense."
(3 raises a question as to the legality of direct
CIA procurement o- DP equipment, in possible conflict with respon-
sibility assigned to GSA and procedures specified by existing statute.
(This issue is within the purview of OL, 0GC and OJCS, and is not
discussed further herein.)
h. EPIC Elaboration on Terminal Planning. I have queried D/NPIC and the
Chief, Automated Information Division, PSG/NPIC on their terminal'ro o-
sal. I am told that much of this equipment is to be locate
the P.F., and CIA Headquarters building, but that some 50-100 of this total
are unofficially earmarked, for planning purposes, for installation in other
agencies, including State, DIA and NSA. Precise plans have not been made
for the tie-in of those terminals.
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i. NPIC Elaboration on Other Ageney Views re NPIC Proposal fo 25X1
I understand that during the protracted period of NPIC's planning, resulting in
the specific proposal for thel there have been continuing contacts
with external agencies, at which aspects of this plan have been discussed, par-
ticularly with the people in DIA working on their own IDHS communication prob-
lem No official suggestions or alternative proposals have been re-
ceived, although none were specifically solicited. D/NPIC has commented to me
that NPIC's present need is to arrive at specific conclusions that could be
implemented in a time-phased official plan. On the other hand, other agencies
are somewhat behind NPIC in specific planning for information handling, and it
appears that they have not been in a position, practically speaking, to propose
specific alternatives.
j.. Compatibility of Computers in the Intelligence Community and DOD
(1) Our unofficial survey of main-line computer systems used or planned
for key military and intelligence installations shows the following:
CIA Headquarters -
NPIC
State -
NSA -
JCS, NMCC -
DIA, NMIC -
SAC, Offutt AFB -
NORAD -
CINCLANTFLT -
PACOM -
CONAD -
(2) DOD has selected Honeywell processors for the World Wide Military
Command and Control System (WWMCCS) computer buy, as well as for some Intelli-
gence Data Handling Systems (IDHS) installations.
(a) The IDHS Communications network is the system needed to
internet the DIAL the U&S Commands, and the other intelligence
components of the Military Departments.. The IDHS Communications
centers are to be internetted by a system capable of supporting
bulk data transmissions, remote batch and interactive (conversa-
tional) operation.
(b) The IDHS Communications network will interconnect indi-
cations and warning centers and IDHS production sites while pro-
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viding for selected interfaces to the WWMCCS. IDHS Communications
will remain fully compatible with COINS, which provides an inter-
connect capability between the pertinent intelligence community
information storage and retrieval systems and networks.
k. The Community On-Line Intelligence System (COINS).
(1) An ASD(I) proposal is now tabled in IRAC, for discussion at
the IRAC meeting in late October 1973, relative to upgrading COINS as
a communication network.
(2) This proposal accepts implicitly the impracticability of
achieving total compatibility among Defense and non-Defense agencies
on their main-line computer hardware.
(3) The plan for upgrading the COINS communication network treats
communication between "host" computers as a function of the network
equipment, relieving the host computers of this burden. This is achieved
by configuring the network with mini-computers called variously Inter-
face Message Processors (IMPs), Terminal Interface Processors (TIPs),
or Interactive Analyst Stations (IASs). These mini-computers are con-
nected by high speed digital lines.
(4) The COINS upgrading plan calls for DOD to fund all FY-74 and
FY-75 costs for the proposed COINS communication network, including
the IMPS or TIPs at all required locations. Individual agencies -- in
this case NPIC -- are to provide the space and facilities for the
installation of their IMP or TIP, the personnel to operate their local
IMP or TIP, and the software required to interface their respective
host computers to their IMP or TIP.
3. DISCUSSION
Month
May 73
June 73
July 73
August 73
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Number COINS Inquiries on NPIC
140
758
1,394
1,471 (Total COINS queries = 3,856)
In other words, from 0 percent before May 73, queries on NPIC files now account
for some 37% of all inquiries on COINS, and the number will continue to rise.
b. The technical proposal by NPIC for the system has been
carefully studied by NPIC's highly qualified staff. as been endorsed by
Agency review authorities r 1. The non-compatibility between
NPIC's and CIA's headquarters computers are considered acceptable by those
review authorities. This hardware selection is primarily a CIA management
issue, not primarily an IC issue.
c. The intelligence community and DOD are not homogeneous with respect
to their computer hardware, and there seems little practical likelihood that
compatibility in those equipments can be achieved.
d. The COINS communication network plan, sponsored by ASD(I) and now
pending in IRAC, accepts this non-compatibility and proposes a plan for inter-
face equipment to overcome the difficulty.
e. Using this interface equipment, it appears reasonable to assume that
thel system at NPIC, if approved, would not represent a major new
problem in information handling throughout the community.
(1) It appears desirable for NPIC and COINS technical people to
work together to insure that the COINS interface equipment matches
the NPIC Plan.
(2) In this COINS-NPIC context, it is possible that at some
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point in the NPIC computer upgrading, a "super-IMP" may be required.
(3) It does not appear that the need for these discussions is a
reason at this time to suggest the NPIC I proposal be re- 25X1
considered or delayed.
f. The need for some terminals has been questioned, and CIA review
authorities have recommen e hat NPIC provide further details and justifi-
cation. IC Staff shares this interest, with particular reference to more
specific details relative to: (i) specifics on plans for terminals in outside
agencies and the communications net for those terminals, and (ii) the pos-
sible impact on COINS of this terminal plan. The question raised as to the
logistics and security problems incurred in installing and operating this
number of terminals is primarily an Agency matter, not an IC matter.
g. The question raised relative to the need for dual processors is
primarily an Agency matter, not an IC matter.
h. The question raised relative to the procurement authority of CIA
versus GSA is an Agency matter, not an IC matter.
4. CONCLUSIONS
a. The NPIC Plan to procure thel
by D/DCI/IC.
Isystem should be supported
b. The problem of coordinating a community intelligence information
handling system and making it work effectively is not made more difficult
by the choice by NPIC of the ystem.
c. There are technical matters relating to the interface of the proposed
I Iequipment and the proposed COINS IMP to be located at NPIC. These
matters should be addressed jointly by COINS and NPIC technicians. These
matters are not a basis for not concurring with the NPIC proposal.
d. There may be an impact on COINS by virtue of the proposal for some
I erminals, some outside of CIA and located in State, DIA and NSA. This
d be studied by COINS and NPIC technical people. This does not provide
a basis for not concurring with the NPIC proposal.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS
a. /DCI/IC concur in the NPIC Plan for the procurement of the
b. That D/DCI/IC request that discussions be had between NPIC and COINS
personnel, reporting the results thereof to Agency management, D/DCI/IC, and
COINS management authorities.
c. That the IC Staff point of contact for further action on this item
continue to be the Acting Chairman, IHC.
Acting Chairman
IHC
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