BUS COMMUNICATIONS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00933R000300310005-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 5, 2001
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 14, 1979
• Content Type: MF

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ODP 9-1656
14 NOV 1979
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Communications
FROM: Bruce T. Johnson
Director of Data Processing
SUBJECT: Bus Communications
REFERENCE: Memo fm D/ODP to D/OC dtd 17 Sept. 1976,
same subject (ODP 1833-76)
ATINTL
1. It must have been apparent from my reaction at
the close of our meeting on 9 November that I was surprised
by your assertion that the wideband Bus being developed by
the Consolidated SAFE Project Office (CSPO) would serve
only SAFE, not the other wideband communications requirements
of CIA. We in OD?, including CSPO, have had a rather dif-
ferent view of the general utility of the Bus being designed
by ~ the SAFE contractor.
2'. Your comment caused me to turn to the Memorandum
of Understanding prepared on this subject and attached to
reference. In it I find the following statement (in para. 3):
"Since SAFE is the driving requirement for a broad-
band communications system which will handle both
data and image transmissions, SAFE will be respon-
sible for the development of such a system through
the initial operational stage. At that time it
will become a facility of the Office of Communica-
tions (OC) to be operated by OC as a general purpose
communications facility."
STATINTL
The memo goes on to provide for the creation of a Bus
Communications Branch under CSPO, staffed primarily with
OC personnel, and then says (in para. 4.d.):
"A requirements document will be developed which
encompasses the SAFE, requirement. Other
data communications requirements within the Agency
which might take advantage of such a system will
be gathered by OC and screened to the Bus Communi-
cations Branch as OC deems appropriate."
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3. These statements in a memorandum signed by the
Directors of the two offices concerned led personnel in
ODP to believe that the Bus architecture developed to support
SAFE must have general applicability. This expectation,
coupled with the recognition of a need for transparent
access from SAFE terminals to ODP services in the Ruffing
Center, gave impetus to the efforts by systems planners in
ODP to ensure adequate definition of all of ODP's wideband
communications requirements, not just those of SAFE.
4. The definition of what the Bus is to be, and assur-
ance that the Bus will serve all of ODP's needs and by extension
the needs of its customers, are of paramount importance to
us. Given the apparent divergence of views on how the Bus
should be developed, I believe we should schedule a meeting
at which the managers, principal designers, and planners
of the two offices can explore these differing views and
STATINTL their implications. ODP's conference room (2D-03) could be
used, or we could come to at your convenience. I
suggest that we attempt to resolve this issue before the
7 December technology conference called by the DDA. I would
expect to bring about eight people to the meeting. Please
let me know when we can get together.
/s/ snt:r tom. 9'~ W\.9l l5 v:e'b~
Bruce T. Johnson
Att; a/s
O/D/ODP/BJohnson:ee/11-14-79
Distribution:
Orig - adse
2 - ODP Registry w/o att
2 O/D/ODP
/ - />9)P,
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ODP-1833-76
'07,
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM Clifford D. May, Jr.
Director of Data Processing
SUBJECT : Bus Communications
REFERENCE : ODP-1579-76, dated 12 August 1976,
Subject: Development of Bus Communications
System
1. The enclosed memorandum of understanding has been
modified to reflect your 2 September memorandum (OCM-76-576).
The initial staffing will be critical as this system is
central to virtually all SAFE functions and must be defined
very early in the development cycle and brought to initial
operation before the rest of the system can be tested. We
should agree on the personnel to be assigned and the starting
date should be 4 October 1976 or as soon thereafter as is
possible.
2. If you concur on this memorandum then I will
distribute it as indicated.
STATINTL
M Clifford I0. May, Jr.
Att. a/s
STATINTL
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Memorandum of Understanding concerning Bus
Communications Development
BUS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN OUTLINE
The following outlines the rationale and plan for the Project
SAFE involvement in the "BUS" Communications development:
1. The BUS concept of broad-band communication has
been investigated by ORD for technical and practical
feasibility in data communication for the Agency.
Concurrently, the SAFE Project has been investigating
STATINTL Communications schemes for connecting a network
system of overt terminals and multiple processors.
2. With the exception of SAFE, the currently projected
data communications requirements of the Agency can
be met by the currently installed metal grid for
the next five years. This does not include the
image distribution problem of SAFE, which for
various reasons has not been projected as a concrete
need.
3. Since SAFE is the driving requirement for a broad-
band communications system which will handle both
data and image transmissions, SAFE will be respon-
sible for the development of such a system through
the initial operational stage. At that time it will
become a facility of the Office of Communications
(OC) to be operated by OC as a general purpose com-
munications facility.
4. The BUS Communications Project will be handled with-
in the SAFE organization as follows:
a. The BUS Communications Branch will be established
within the System Development Group of the SAFE
Project.
STATINTL
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b. This Branch will be staffed primarily with OC
personnel on assignment for the period of
development, augmented by SAFI, development
personnel.
c. The initial staff and slot will consist of
a Branch Chief supplied by OC, and one professional
from the SAFE development staff. The Branch
Chief slot will be at the GS-14 level. Up to
two additional OC engineers will be made available
as the needs arise either on a part time or full
time 'basis as found necessary by the Oversight
Committee.
d. A requirements document will he developed which
STATINTL encompasses the SAFE requirement. Other
data communications requirements within the Agency
which might take advantage of such a system will
be gathered by OC and screened to the BUS Communications
Branch as OC deems appropriate.
e. A management Oversight Committee will be formed
consisting of the D/ODP, D/OC, and D/ORD. This
committee will be briefed on the status of the
project on a bimonthly basis beginning 1. December
1976. The objective is to insure that responsible
management is aware of the status of the project
and is able to influence its direction.
STATINTL
f. At the point at which the system is fully operational.,
responsibility for its continued operation,
maintenance and development will revert to OC
along with the OC slots and personnel.
g. ORD will continue the concurrent investigative
effort until the SAFE Project is
ready to phase into these activities. ORD will
continue current document viewing contracts.
h. The SAFE Project will supply the funds required
for contracting on the actual design and develop-
ment of the BUS Communications s stem. This
does not apply to ORD's cur.ren t contract. STATINTL
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i. Except as noted in e. above this effort will
be reported as an integral part of the SAFE
project.
STATINTL
STATINTL
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