What's Wrong with DoD's So-Called Information Architectures and What We Ought to be Doing about It

Abstract

The Department of Defense (DoD) needs information interoperability. That is, the components of multiple programs, services, and allies need to work together. This paper accepts without further argument that improved information systems can improve combat power, including the deterrent capability that combat power confers. The paper also recognizes that the list of other programs that one must be interoperable with is indefinitely long. Therefore, an open-ended solution is a fundamental requirement. This leads one directly to the need for an information systems architecture. DoD needs a common design vision that each program manager or procurement agent works to fit into. Defining and articulating such an architecture is the purpose of this paper. The following topics are discussed: large information systems; what's wrong with the current architecture and how did DoD get into this mess?; measures of effectiveness; network centric architecture; end system-network interfaces ;management interfaces; public key infrastructure; quality of service; and the need for modularization.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA461314

Entities

People

  • Rex Buddenberg

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Application Protocols
  • Complex Systems
  • Computer Communications
  • Computing System Architectures
  • Data Links
  • Department Of Defense
  • Electronic Mail
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Information Systems
  • Infrastructure
  • Instruction Set Architecture
  • Internet
  • Local Area Networks
  • Network Protocols
  • Standards
  • Systems Engineering
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design