Cmgt 555 - Defense Communications Services - Request for Proposal

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Requirements

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Technical

Each location currently has a 12 Tb Iomega Network Attached Storage (NAS) used to store non-sensitive files. The existing system connects to the network on a server VLAN with dual one Gbps network interface cards. Policy requires non-classified or proprietary documentation stored on NAS for necessary use. The new standard will have necessary document stored on their respective systems with the appropriate file classification levels on them.

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Hardware

The new server hardware will be six Dell PowerEdge R720xd Rack servers (Dell Inc., 2013). Each of servers will have 32 gigabytes of memory with dual Intel Xeon Processors. The server will have 12 1.2 terabyte hard discs and two dual-channel 10 Gbps network controllers. Each server will have dual-power supplies. One power supply will plug directly into a prime power generator and the other plugs into an APC power supply mounted inside the cage. Inside the cage a Cisco 6500 Series with a WS-X6816-10G-2TXL (Cisco Systems, 2012) fiber controller is needed. This is a 16-port fiber controller that will facilitate the high-speed data transfer over the internal network from switch to switch. In addition to this there is a need for 36 Cisco SPF-10G-SR modules to connect the fiber cable to the switches at both ends and to the servers.

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Operating Systems

The main operating system will be Windows Server 2012 Enterprise edition (Microsoft Inc, 2013). The operating system was chosen because it is an industry standard. This system is designed for multiple users without developing a serious effect on the performance of the operating system. This software package is backward compatible with other operating systems and allows the ability to stay current with technology and security within the operating system while removing worry about the software becoming outdated in the near future.

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Networking

The network requires minimal upgrade to allow the completion of the project. The current network is gigabit with gigabit trunks between 90% of the locations on the bases with 10% of the network fiber optic (Atcom Inc., 2012) already because of the distances between the switches exceeding the maximum distance of 300 feet for regular network switching media. Once the new fiber trunks are installed and the remote switch ports enabled on the fiber controllers, the install of the new 6500 Series switch at the core of the network will be easy and pain free. Each installation has a total of 60 different VLANS. Not every VLAN will be used but configured for future dates.

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Application Software

There are several types of application software required to complete this project, the first is encryption software to encryption the physical hard discs in the event that they are stolen so all data on the drives are not accessible. The second software is the operating system installed over the encrypted drives to provide a base for the file services installation. Third is the encryption of the file system on government servers through the utilization of propriety software distributed from the National Security Agency (Reuvers & Simons, 2013), replicated to the servers joining the specified domain for individual organization. Security software for civilian servers is obtained from corporate offices and installed via scripting during the joining of the server to the domain.

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Scalability

The scalability of the project is unlimited. The enhanced network will allow for implementation of new base security features, such as high-resolution cameras for base defense and the utilization of the network for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation purposes. The integration of the servers will allow for files to transfer easily and allow servers to be added to the platform for the base security systems. As the bases expand and collapses, the files can be archived along with the possibility of adding bigger drives to the servers to allow for more space as the utilization of the file shares increases. On an average day, the current file share is access by 59 out of the 65 users on the test site for daily business needs. The ability to add more storage space or hot swap hard drives when a server or a drive fails is an important asset to this type of environment and make things much more scalable and easily replaced if there were ever a catastrophic hardware failure.

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Availability and Reliability

The availability and reliability of this platform would be about 97% uptime. The 3% downtime would be lack of power, generator maintenance, or other various military related scenarios. So the reliability of the system would also be 97% with a 3% window of unavailability. Afghanistan is a very hostile place and unforgiving place with the heat indexes of 130+ degrees. If the cooling unit fails in the facility housing, the servers have to be shut down to prevent damage until the cooling unit is repaired. There are no “hard structures” on the installations. The units are housed in containerized housing units (CHUs), which can achieve temperature exceeding 130 degrees.

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Maintenance

Hardware and software maintenance are scheduled events. These events require the host agencies on military bases to be aware of the scheduled maintenance and provide written approval from onsite agency managers. Hardware and software maintenance is done at night during non-peak utilization times to prevent service interruptions to the agencies. If emergency maintenance is required on any hardware or software that need has to be placed in writing and pushed out via e-mail 30 minutes prior to the expected outage. Monthly Preventive Maintenance Checks and Inspections (PMCS) are required of all hardware currently in use. During monthly PMCS, all equipment is shut down, taken apart, and vacuumed or blown out with compressed air to remove the dust build up prolonging the life of the machines in the environment. PMCS’s do not require alert, as it is done on the last day of the month starting at 2100 and ending at 00:00 hours.

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