Automatic Digital Network
Encyclopedia
The Automatic Digital Network System, known as AUTODIN or ADNS, is a legacy
data communications service in the United States Department of Defense
. AUTODIN originally consisted of numerous AUTODIN Switching Centers (ASCs) located in the United States and in countries such as England and Japan.
The design of the system, originally named "ComLogNet", began in 1958 by a team of Western Union
, RCA
and IBM
. The customer was the U.S. Air Force and the system's purpose was to improve the speed and reliability of logistics traffic (spare parts for missiles) between five logistics center
s and roughly 350 bases and contractor locations. An implementation contract was awarded in the fall of 1959 to Western Union as prime contractor and system integrator, RCA to build the 5 switching center computers and IBM for the compound terminals which provided for both IBM punched card
and Teletype data entry. The first site became operational in 1962. During the implementation the government realized the broader value of the system and transferred it to the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) which re-named it "AUTODIN". In 1962 the government solicited competitive bids for a 9 center expansion which was won by Philco
-Ford. Deployment started in 1966. On March 22nd 1968, Autodin multimedia terminal in Europe became operational at Ramstein Air base in Germany. This system linked more than 300 Air Forces bases, material areas, depots and other authorized agencies into a single communications network. In 1982, a follow-on project, AUTODIN II, was terminated in favor of using ARPANET
technology for the Defense Data Network
(including a military subnet known as MILNET
).
AUTODIN Switching Centers have been replaced by various hardware/software combinations. The following are some examples:
Early in the 21st century, all but one of the AUTODIN Switching Centers had been shut down. The intention is to transition secure messaging traffic to the Defense Message System
.
Legacy system
A legacy system is an old method, technology, computer system, or application program that continues to be used, typically because it still functions for the users' needs, even though newer technology or more efficient methods of performing a task are now available...
data communications service in the United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
. AUTODIN originally consisted of numerous AUTODIN Switching Centers (ASCs) located in the United States and in countries such as England and Japan.
The design of the system, originally named "ComLogNet", began in 1958 by a team of Western Union
Western Union
The Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
, RCA
RCA
RCA Corporation, founded as the Radio Corporation of America, was an American electronics company in existence from 1919 to 1986. The RCA trademark is currently owned by the French conglomerate Technicolor SA through RCA Trademark Management S.A., a company owned by Technicolor...
and IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
. The customer was the U.S. Air Force and the system's purpose was to improve the speed and reliability of logistics traffic (spare parts for missiles) between five logistics center
Logistics center
A logistics center is a facility dedicated to logistical operations. A logistics center might be a warehouse, freight forwarder, or a repair depot....
s and roughly 350 bases and contractor locations. An implementation contract was awarded in the fall of 1959 to Western Union as prime contractor and system integrator, RCA to build the 5 switching center computers and IBM for the compound terminals which provided for both IBM punched card
Punched card
A punched card, punch card, IBM card, or Hollerith card is a piece of stiff paper that contains digital information represented by the presence or absence of holes in predefined positions...
and Teletype data entry. The first site became operational in 1962. During the implementation the government realized the broader value of the system and transferred it to the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) which re-named it "AUTODIN". In 1962 the government solicited competitive bids for a 9 center expansion which was won by Philco
Philco
Philco, the Philadelphia Storage Battery Company , was a pioneer in early battery, radio, and television production as well as former employer of Philo Farnsworth, inventor of cathode ray tube television...
-Ford. Deployment started in 1966. On March 22nd 1968, Autodin multimedia terminal in Europe became operational at Ramstein Air base in Germany. This system linked more than 300 Air Forces bases, material areas, depots and other authorized agencies into a single communications network. In 1982, a follow-on project, AUTODIN II, was terminated in favor of using ARPANET
ARPANET
The Advanced Research Projects Agency Network , was the world's first operational packet switching network and the core network of a set that came to compose the global Internet...
technology for the Defense Data Network
Defense Data Network
The Defense Data Network was a computer networking effort of the United States Department of Defense from 1983 through 1995.-History:In 1975, the Defense Communication Agency took over operation of the ARPANET as it became an operational tool instead of a research project. In 1983, plans for a...
(including a military subnet known as MILNET
MILNET
In computer networking, MILNET was the name given to the part of the ARPANET internetwork designated for unclassified United States Department of Defense traffic....
).
AUTODIN Switching Centers have been replaced by various hardware/software combinations. The following are some examples:
- A program called NOVA to operate circuits and route messages. The system is designed to run at 2400 baudBaudIn telecommunications and electronics, baud is synonymous to symbols per second or pulses per second. It is the unit of symbol rate, also known as baud rate or modulation rate; the number of distinct symbol changes made to the transmission medium per second in a digitally modulated signal or a...
, however speeds up to 9600 baud is possible. The system is able to run down to 15 baud if communications systems require it. - A series of hardware/software systems called DABS (DoDIIS Autodin Bypass System) which allows the transmission of messages over Serial connections at up to 9600 Baud as well as TCP/IP connections that allow the transmission of messages across Ethernet connects at speeds limited only by the network bandwidth.
Early in the 21st century, all but one of the AUTODIN Switching Centers had been shut down. The intention is to transition secure messaging traffic to the Defense Message System
Defense Message System
The Defense Message System or Defense Messaging System is a deployment of secure electronic mail and directory services in the United States Department of Defense...
.
See also
- Defense Switched NetworkDefense Switched NetworkThe Defense Switched Network is a primary information transfer network for the Defense Information Systems Network . The DSN provides the worldwide non-secure voice, secure voice, data, facsimile, and video teleconferencing services for DOD Command and Control elements, their supporting...
- Defense Message SystemDefense Message SystemThe Defense Message System or Defense Messaging System is a deployment of secure electronic mail and directory services in the United States Department of Defense...
- Western UnionWestern UnionThe Western Union Company is a financial services and communications company based in the United States. Its North American headquarters is in Englewood, Colorado. Up until 2006, Western Union was the best-known U.S...
- AutovonAutovonAUTOVON, short for Automatic Voice Network, was an American military phone system built in 1963 to survive nuclear attacks. AUTOVON was first established in the United States, using the Army's SCAN system. Around the mid-1970s AUTOVON expanded to the United Kingdom, Asia, the Middle East, and Panama...
contemporaneous voice network