Automating System Control Functions in the Defense Communications System

System control for the Defense Communications System (DCS) currently requires time-consuming manual efforts to consolidate status inputs and provide control responses via a highly centralized control structure. Integration within the DCS is very limited since subsystems (e.g., circuit switched voice, packet data, and transmission) in the past have typically been developed using unique, non-interoperable hardware and non-common data definition. The Defense Communications Operations Support System (DCOSS) is intended to improve the survivability, wartime effectiveness, integration and responsiveness of existing DCS system control through automation of the DCS control structure. Computers are expected to perform many of the system monitoring and real-time control functions using an integrated network of hardware and software systems.