Design of a local area network and a wide area network to connect the US Navy's training organization

Abstract

US Navy training commands use a local area and a wide area network known as the Versatile Training System II (VTS). VTS furnishes word processing, electronic mail, and data base functions, all of which can be transferred throughout the network. Enabling this rather old system is a mainframe at each training site with user terminals dispersed throughout the command. The system was installed and is maintained by civilian contractors. VTS does not have the capabilities to develop and maintain curriculum, because advanced word processing and graphics are required. This results in the Navy's training commands having redundant computer systems.

Due to the shortcomings of VTS, a need exists to establish local area networks at training commands. Additionally, a wide area network is required that would give a standard package of electronic mail and file transfer capabilities. All of this must be accomplished using existing command computer resources and at a more economical price than the remaining life cycle cost of VTS.

To facilitate the design, the systems engineering concept is utilized. A specific design is developed to fill the identified deficiency. Existing resources and "off the shelf" material are to be used exclusively.