Transcript DCGS-A Congressional Update to Representative Duncan Hunter

Deploying the Cloud:
Lessons Learned from Early Adopters
of Secure Cloud
December 16, 2011
COL Charles Wells
PM, DCGS-A
[email protected]
(443) 861-2442
Lessons Learned:
Deployment of First Tactical
Cloud in DoD
• SIPR IOC: 6 Apr 2011
• CXI IOC: 25 May 2011
Size, Weight, Power Considerations Critical
•
Pad space difficult to obtain
– Move chiller into Pod to minimize footprint
• Limited amperage on LSAs / FOBs
– Maximum processing/storage with least power
– High-efficiency / “green” components preferred
• Transport – flexibility is key
– Need the ability to fit Cloud pod on MIL Airlift (C-130/C-141)
Commodity Hardware works well:
• Meet military needs without MILSPEC
• Inexpensive and quick to procure and field
• Leverage latest innovations from industry
Software:
Personnel:
• Market for Cloud Experts - tight
• Leverage dual-approach:
– Temporary cloud experts focused on
immediate / critical projects
– Balance with long-term Cloud team
for continuity
• Existing Government software solutions work
– NSA Cloud work leveraged for Army tactical Cloud deployment
– Huge savings – development costs and long-term O&M
• Participate in software forums / committees
– Intelligence Community (IC) Cloud, Ozone Widget Framework, Forge.mil
– Ensure that project needs are reflected in future versions
– “Open source is a two way street“ – Contribute back to the community
• Cloud software development occurs rapidly
– Diligent configuration management critical to success
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Lessons Learned:
Deployment of First Tactical Cloud in DoD
Lessons from Soldiers:
• Must support analysts’ workflows
– Collaborative tools are critical to support
Intel success and effectiveness
– Build for simplicity:
Tools wont be used if they don’t make the
Soldier’s job easier
• Soldier / Developer communication key
– Plan for getting feedback from analysts
throughout the development lifecycle.
– Don’t dismiss small usability items
What might be overlooked by a developer
could be a an analyst’s “golden widget”
– Communication is Two-way:
Ensure Intel analysts fully understand new
widget capabilities and application
Common Map Widget
SandStorm
Time Line
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