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Chief Information Officer

Side story: First to know, first to act

Microsoft Windows XP - coming to your desktop

By Anita Steinmuller

Graph showing progress of XP upgradeAll standard desktop operating systems in Defence are progressively being upgraded from the Microsoft Windows NT Standard Operating Environment (SOE) to the Windows XP SOE. This upgrade is taking place across both the Defence Restricted Network (DRN) and the Defence Secret Network (DSN).

The SOE refers to the combination of the operating system and closely associated programs, such as e-mail and the Office suite of products consisting of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. The current DRN and DSN SOEs are built upon the Microsoft Windows NT operating system and are now being upgraded to Windows XP to align with current industry standards. Importantly, this upgrade will also provide a secure, supportable, and adaptable environment to support operational and administrative requirements.

As a user of the system, you can expect to see many new and enhanced features when your desktop is upgraded to Windows XP. While the new software will look a little different from what you have now, all your usual desktop functions will still be available. Some of the benefits you will see include greater mobility, meaning that you will be presented with the same 'look and feel' regardless of where you log on to the Defence network. Improved system reliability and security are also key features.

The new SOE is also expected to deliver the following benefits:

  • enhanced durability and robustness of the DRN and DSN, avoiding substantial degradation in system performance;
  • a standardised desktop environment which will reduce the cost of future system upgrades and application development costs; and
  • improved network management through the ability to automatically distribute further upgrades.

Approximately 62,000 PCs, covering up to 85,000 user accounts and approximately 750 servers located in over 230 sites, will be upgraded. To date, some 2,000 PCs and over 220 servers are running the new SOE. The rest of the upgrades are scheduled to occur from August 2005 through to October 2006, with the majority of sites completed by July 2006.

We will be keeping you informed of progress on the new SOE rollout. Keep an eye out in future editions of the Defence Magazine for the above graphic depicting progress with the Windows XP Upgrade.

A variety of training tools have been developed and will shortly be available to assist you. These include Quick Reference Guides to identify the key components and features of the new Windows XP applications and a brief 'Introduction to Windows XP' tutorial highlighting the key changes you can expect to see. For those who wish to undertake online learning activities, CAMPUS (formerly known as Domain) will allow you to access XP computer-based training packages and learn all you need to know about Windows XP at your own pace.

The Chief Information Officer Group is working hard to ensure that your transition to Windows XP is smooth. As the upgrade gets closer to rolling out at your location, you will receive more detailed information that will guide you through the process and, most importantly, assist you to get the most out of Microsoft Windows XP.

Anita Steinmuller is Communications Manager for the Common Services SOE Program

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First to know, first to act

In the July edition of Defence, Squadron Leader Steve Warr and Kev Perks explained SATCOM and established its importance to the ADF. This month, they take a detailed look at SATCOM as the key to multi-dimensional manoeuvre warfare.
Photograph, caption follows

Able Seaman Combat Systems Operator (ABCSO) Warrin Barrow on watch in the Operations Room, HMAS Kanimbla. Photo by Petty Officer Kev Bristow

The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, those in Madrid in 2004 and most recently, the savage attack on the London Underground, have demonstrated that the world's security environment has changed significantly since the immediate post-Cold War era.

As a result of these security changes, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has been increasingly engaged in operations on foreign soil, often in partnership with our key allies. Such coalition operations to defend our national interests far from Australia are often referred to as 'out-of-area' (OOA) operations.

In order to undertake OOA operations, our deployed forces rely heavily on the ability to communicate with each other and connect back to Australia. However, local telecommunications systems in deployed locations cannot be relied upon to be available to our troops. This potential problem can be averted by extending Defence information networks from the strategic environment into the operational environment by increased utilisation of satellite communications (SATCOM).

Recent operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan have proven the effectiveness of this approach. Extensive use of SATCOM has enabled deployed force elements to quickly establish connectivity with command and control in Australia and, to date, SATCOM is still the primary means of communications for our deployed forces assisting with the rebuilding of Iraq.

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) Group is responsible for providing strategic leadership to ensure the provision of SATCOM to our deployed forces.

In parallel with the changes brought about by worldwide events, Defence is evolving its approach to operations through Joint Warfighting Concepts (JWC). JWC are generalised approaches that describe how joint forces might perform strategic and operational tasks, the capabilities they need and associated levels of performance. The JWC with the greatest implications for Defence's future use of SATCOM are Force 2020 and the Future Warfighting Concept.

Force 2020 introduces the concept of Network Centric Warfare (NCW), which involves the linking of sensors, fighting units, and decision-makers as nodes in a network. Once linked, the nodes can collect, assess, distribute and interpret information and form a shared real-time view of the battlespace, known as the Common Operating Picture. SATCOM is critical to implementing the NCW environment. It is the only communications system that can support the rapid exchange of information between widely dispersed nodes and provide the prime link back into Australia. Without secure, sustainable communications links, NCW will remain a concept. The CIO Group is taking the lead as the information capability manager, working with the Chief of Capability Development Group and the rest of Defence to ensure that NCW becomes a reality.

Defence's Future Warfighting Concept describes 'multi-dimensional manoeuvre'. It aims to defeat an adversary through the application of tailored effects against their critical vulnerabilities, rather than simply going head-to-head on a battlefield. 'Multi-dimensional manoeuvre' is supported by the warfighting function of information superiority and support, which recognises the importance of achieving and maintaining an information advantage over an adversary - or in simple terms, 'first to know, first to act'.

Again, SATCOM will be crucial to achieving information superiority and implementing 'multi-dimensional manoeuvre'. It allows communications systems to be incorporated into large platforms or even carried by the dismounted soldier, providing a flexible, responsive means of communications.

Overall, as operational roles change in response to shifts in the global security environment and Defence's use of space-based communications to support our warfighters continues to increase, the strategic leadership role of the CIO Group for information capability will help ensure that future operational concepts translate into more efficient and effective ways of defending our national interests.

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