NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE

Research Development Test & Engineering

The Research Development Test & Engineering (RDT&E) network provides scalable, end-to-end, net-centric operations and integrated, standards-based service from SPAWAR Charleston laboratories to joint, worldwide test facilities. Accommodating over 10,000 devices at multiple levels of security end-to-end, the RDT&E network gives robust, adaptable, and dynamic operation to its customers. By providing transformational, global connectivity for its customers, the RDT&E network enables net-centric connectivity to IPv6, GIG, DoD labs, fleet piers, joint forces, and industry. SRC network engineers have designed and developed the RDT&E network to provide a worldwide environment in which the most advanced digital and analog technologies can be tested and evaluated for their suitability in military applications. The RDT&E network supports routine technical systems, product and system assessments, special joint force experiments and exercises, training events, evaluations, concept verification and validation, and technical discovery.

SRC currently maintains the RDT&E Network Operations Center, monitors network connections and activity, spots problems, conducts threat assessments, and calculates scalability requirements with customer demands. Because the Network Operations Center plays a vital role in maintaining the network, RDT&E security is a top priority for SRC.  SRC engineers have developed a centralized, coherent security database to aid in network security. The security database registers users, recording users' pertinent information such as MAC address, serial number, minor property number, operating system, Information System Security Officer, and more. After a system is registered, it is automatically scanned for viruses before it's allowed on the network. The security database also helps associate a particular system with a person, so if there's a security problem, the infected system and user can physically be found quickly. SRC provides network support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. SRC's daily operation of the RDT&E network provides an extensive test environment and an infrastructure capable of easy and cost-effective reconfiguration with respect to new or varied interconnection topologies, protocols, products, services, software, hardware, link types, and capacity increases.

Integrated Product Center

To effectively and consistently handle test support for SPAWAR Charleston Command Lab's Integrated Product Center, SRC has developed specific measures to assess, resolve, and track network and system issues. Team members created a comprehensive list of network and system performance criteria, as well as procedures for documenting performance to establish desired operating trends. To demonstrate SPAWAR Charleston's net-centric capabilities, SRC designs, develops, installs, tests, and manages numerous distributed tests of disparate joint command laboratories and disparate lab resources. SRC also manages a centralized repository which includes connectivity diagrams showing local, metropolitan, and wide area networks; logical connectivity diagrams to disparate systems via ATM, MPLS, and VLANs; and current and past test accomplishments and diagrams that illustrate testing capabilities. 

SRC engineers are also responsible for managing and maintaining a Windows Active Directory domain with approximately 40 servers and 4000 users. SRC engineers also manage a Citrix application portal, which provides access to many critical DoD/DoN applications, documents, technical drawings, and technical manuals, making them accessible to both NMCI and remote SPAWAR users.