NOTES FROM THE VIENNA INSTALLATION DEBRIEFING

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 4, 2012
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: June 9, 1987
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
Subject: Notes from the Vienna installation debriefing
Date: 9 June 1987
The purpose of this meeting was to provide an overview of the Vienna
installation to review the lessons learned and discuss both the
positive and negative experiences incurred in order to better prepare
for the Hong Kong installation. Areas discussed were: travel
arrangements, actual installation, shipping (in order: hardware,
software), site-acceptance-test, training, and transition. The
following are the points identified.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Vienna
Initially, all arrangements were ok. However, with the
delay of the trainers the rooms originally reserved were lost
when the hotel gave up the rooms.
Hong Kong
Transportation for the first groups is all arranged.
Reservations will be made as the next group prepares to go. A
set of itineraries is required by Twila as soon as possible.
INSTALLATION
Vienna
There was a problem with the power in that it differed from
what was documented. The laying of the cables took a greater
amount of time than originally anticipated.
Hong Kong
Regulations with regard to the building codes and landlord
need to be verified. Special teflon coated cables are required
when going between floors to meet the fire codes. These will be
purchased in Hong Kong. To help with installation, Harry is
bringing a power analyzer and various cable tooling with him.
The installation team is due at the Bureau on 6/15/87.
SHIPPING HARDWARE
Vienna
The support received from the Bureau was over and above what
was necessary. A consumption list is required from Vienna. 2
Victor's are still there. LEC has the equipment list of the
configuration and is consolidating it into their system for
subsequent distribution.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
SHIPPING HARDWARE (continued)
Hong Kong
Currently, two laser printers are on the supply list that
have not been shipped. Therefore, the configuration list is
inaccurate. The configuration list was sent to Hong Kong after
the arrival of the equipment. It takes ten days to process the
equipment list in order to get the equipment through customs.
Currently, the equipment is being stored at customs. As a
result, the installation team may have to purchase additional
cables for the inter-flooring since access to the shipment is
not possible.
SHIPPING SOFTWARE
Vienna
Software changes were necessary to get the transmit in sync
with the circuit. The entire circuit was not strictly
asyncronous: 300 bps went into the Bureau and 1200 bps was
going out. The Bureau did not know what they were interfacing
with (assumed to be intended by the embassy or consolate).
Recommend a data scope and oscilloscope be on hand during
installation.
Hong Kong
The line to the embassy is estimated as 1200 or 2400 Baud.
It is intended to have a data scope and oscilloscope available
during installation. If a data scope is not available in Hong
Kong, one will be sent asap.
SITE ACCEPTANCE TEST
Vienna
Jeff was needed during installation to originate and
implement the test messages. A copy of the test messages has
been given to LEC for Hong Kong. The question arose concerning
who is/should be responsible for working the test messages? LEC
or the commo personnel at the Bureau? Bureau personnel should
be responsible.
Generic changes (file naming procedure was improved) were
made to the software in Vienna. It is intended to formalize
these changes and implement them into the Hong Kong
installation.
Communication needs to be improved with regard to details.
This will become crucial during the facility transition to
Reston. The situation regarding back channels needs to be
resolved. As a result, weekly/daily activity reports should be
discussed first thing each morning with the Bureau Chief.
Provide the Chief of any anticipated exchanges with "what will
be said". If a problem arises, telephone Twila with an "ears
only (internal) administrative" call.
With regard to the configuration of the printers and who is
responible for which printers as they are updated, no decision
was made. Commscribe vs LEC printer problem has been tabled
until the next ERB meeting.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
SITE ACCEPTANCE TEST (continued)
Hong Kong
A copy of the set of test messages have been presented to
the installation team. No changes will be made to the
software. If a change appears necessary, a DR should be
submitted to the ERB. Communication will be continual in the
form of weekly activity reports and "internal" calls to Twila if
necessary.
TRAINING
Vienna
Upon arrival in Vienna the training team met with the Bureau
Deputy Chief. The Deputy Chief provided a schedule of personnel
requiring training and times. This schedule produced a group of
people with a wide range of knowledge (ie, some were completely
unfamiliar with the computer and others were extremely fluent in
the use of computers). This schedule could not be modified.
The class material specifically needs more graphics and
visuals addressing all levels of computer knowledge. Different
functions within the system need to be addressed. Also, the
classes need to include more application exercises. The variety
of information presented should be minimized to what the
personnel actually need to know.
As a result of space shortage, the commo people trained in
the commo room. This produced some trouble with regard to
trying to train and test the equipment (software) at the same
time.
Hong Kong
To resolve a potential space problem also existing in Hong
Kong, the availability of LEC Hong Kong space is being
considered as an off-site training facility. Also, a trainer
should be sent over to Hong Kong earlier to coincide with the
set up of the hardware. This would alleviate the need of the
installers to "trouble-shoot train" the people. However, this
may not be a problem since the personnel may already be familiar
with the equipment. It was also suggested that the System
Administrator be on-hand and become familiar with the
installation and equipment so as to assist in training others
about the system.
TRANSITION
Vienna
There was a problem with the configuration of the hard disk
as a result of a difference between the victor and IBM
computers. The utilities of PC DOS and some commands were
different. Some of the computers had to be physically moved
around (primarily for personal preferences) which was a timely
process.
Hong Kong
None apply.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7 -
LESSONS LEARNED/CONSIDERATIONS
The Vienna software needs to be considered the baseline
system for configuration control. The LEC Development facility
needs to establish this baseline prior to installation at Hong
Kong. Any changes, subsequently, need to be back-fit to Key
West and then distributed to all.
The Press Agency is considered a prototype yet, is under
control. It will be formalized following the development
facility finalization. During installation, it required fine
tuning for message in sequencing. In Hong Kong and elsewhere,
it will need to be under control and possibly field modified.
Radio frequency needs to be investigated for press agency.
The training scenario needs to be shipped prior to the
arrival of the trainers.
The System Administrator needs to become an integral part of
the integration and test team early.
In planning for each Bureau installation, we must "worry"
about all possible considerations and should not expect to get
the "concern" from the Bureau's.
The field needs answers. The fax should be used to define
and detail the problems.
MEETING ATTENDEES
ADD
ADD
ADD
ADD
OPS
Joe Korzemisa LEC
John Wingertsman LEC
Laura Mueller LEC
Harry Nanejian LEC
Ting Loo LEC
Kristin Minaides LEC
Lee Walker LEC
Jack Williams LEC
Joe Barrett LEC
Scott Carpenter GE/SES
Al Coffin GE/SES
Bill Stanbridge GE/SES
Laird Steinberg GE/SES
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/06/04: CIA-RDP88-00218R000300280016-7