Still More on SIPRNet
by Phrostbyte
During the winter of 1997/1998, the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group (ALBG) deployed a new network for SIPRNet access on board U.S. Navy ships.
The ALBG built the basis of this network on Windows NT 4.0 and HP-UX 10.20, and it was decided this would be the network to bring the Navy into the 21st century, so they dubbed this new network "Information Technology - 21st Century" or, put simply, IT-21.
IT-21's primary purpose is for relaying military tactical information from ship to ship using Internet protocols.
In reference, a recent article entitled "More on SIPRNet," the author stated that he believed SIPRNet was going through the KG-84 crypto. I can verify this as the crypto system being used onboard U.S. Navy ships.
In addition, the author was correct when he mentioned that he heard that the KG-84 is loaded with a paper tape with punch holes, similar to the punch cards used in the 1960s and 1970s. The crypto tape is a part of Communication Security (COMSEC) which is for other military communication systems other than SIPRNet. The tape is about half an inch wide and, depending on its use, determines the length of the crypto.
In addition to the KG-84 crypto, IT-21 is also built using Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Routers, Xylan OmniSwitches, and Digital Equipment Corp. dual-Pentium Pro servers running NT 4.0. Besides the NT 4.0 network, IT-21 ties into Joint Maritime Command Information System (JMCIS) and Naval Modular Automatic Communications System (NAVMACS), both of which run off HP-UX 10.20.
The purpose of JMCIS is to display real time information and location of every U.S. Navy, Marine, and other U.S. and allied forces in the world. NAVMACS is used for the transmitting and receiving of military messages and communications over a data network.
On board Navy vessels, SIPRNet is accessed via EHF and SHF circuits. Under test runs, the larger class ships with SHF and POTS dishes are able to even open up voice chat and video conferencing.
During the Abraham Lincoln Battle Group deployment, IT-21 proved beyond successful for relaying secret information over secured circuits faster than previously used networks.
Also previously stated in the "More on SIPRNet" article, the author makes reference to the location of the bunker that houses the primary SIPRNet servers.
In addition to the one in Maryland, there are alternate backup servers at the NORAD installation and the bunkers at Cheyenne Mountain along with three remote monitoring stations, one on the east coast, one on the west coast, and the third in Europe.
The purpose of these stations is to maintain security on the SIPRNet network, and monitor all logins, ensuring that the all systems stay operational.