Defense Information Systems Network

The Defense Information System Network (DISN) has been the United States Department of Defense's enterprise network for providing data, video and voice services for 40 years.^[1]

The DISN Leading Edge Services (DISN-LES) is a "Next Generation" network providing wide area Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) connectivity to worldwide subscriber sites. The network is used by subscribers and DISA's GE-51 Program Office to test systems, equipment, network monitoring and management technologies, trouble shooting, and help desk procedures. The DISN-LES also provides technologies such as quality of service protocols. Supported capabilities include video teleconferencing and other collaborative tools such as electronic whiteboarding and distributed war-fighting simulations. Another network focus is compatibility testing among products produced on evolving standards. Some sites have been set up to pass unclassified traffic into the encrypted part of the network. The results of network, hardware and software tests and exercises are shared with equipment and software suppliers and government organizations to provide real world experience with the technologies that influence network designs and system acquisition decisions throughout the industry.

DISN End-to-End Infrastructure Responsibilities

The DISN end-to-end infrastructure is composed of three major segments:

• The sustaining base (I.e. base, post, camp, or station, and Service enterprise networks). The Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I) infrastructure will interface with the long-haul network to support the deployed warfighter. The sustaining base segment is primarily the responsibility of the individual Services.
• The long-haul transport infrastructure, which includes the communication systems and services between the fixed environments and the deployed Joint Task Force (JTF) and/or Coalition Task Force (CTF) warfighter. The long-haul telecommunications infrastructure segment is primarily the responsibility of DISA.
• The deployed warfighter, mobile users, and associated Combatant Commander telecommunications infrastructures supporting the Joint Task Force (JTF) and/or Coalition Task Force (CTF). The deployed warfighter and associated Combatant Commander telecommunications infrastructure is primarily the responsibility of the individual Services.^[2]

End-to-End

As defined in CJCSI 6211.02C,Defense Information Systems Network (DISN) Policy and Responsibilities, 9 July 2008, end-to-end is defined as the fusion of requisite components to deliver a defined capability. For the GIG, this implies components from the user access and display devices and sensors to the various levels of networking and processing, associated applications, and related transport and management services. For DISN services, end-to-end encompasses service user to service user (e.g., PC-to-PC, phone-to-phone).^[3]

See also

• SIPRNet
• NIPRNet

References