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Technology |
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 Computer architectureIt's hard for an outsider to imagine the immense size and sheer power of GCHQ's supercomputing architecture. Our systems range from simple PC networks to the latest supercomputer complexes. Technologists at GCHQ will encounter the latest state of the art Cray systems, Tandem based storage and high-end Sun workstations. D-RAID (Distributed Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) architectures are used for the storage of very large amounts of data. Indeed, GCHQ has one of the largest long-term bulk near line storage systems in the world. The systems used by GCHQ are among the most secure in the world. All traffic, whether voice, fax or Local Area and Wide Area Networks (LANs and WANs) used for data communications are secured by state of the art cryptographic products - designed and manufactured internally. A number of these products are also supplied to other UK Government Departments and Agencies by GCHQ/CESG, which invented and developed Public-key cryptography. TelecommunicationsGCHQ is involved in all aspects of modern telecommunications. We use a wide variety of systems designed to operate on all frequencies over which data can be transmitted. GCHQ is an acknowledged world leader in antenna design and systems analysis. GCHQ's work throws up a number of obstacles not normally encountered in the commercial world. Our challenge is to cope with these obstacles and produce intelligence that's highly accurate, timely and reliable. NetworkingAll GCHQ systems are linked together on the largest local area network in Europe - which is connected to other sites around the world via one of the largest wide area networks on earth. Our local area network is based on a number of media, including Ethernet and Fibre Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), and its main networking protocol is Internet Protocol (IP). The wide area network uses very high-speed dial up and leased lines. Protected by cryptographic equipment designed, manufactured and tested internally. We are also considering asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) links for it. Software developmentWhen possible, we use the most appropriate off-the-shelf software and operating systems. But certain applications unique to GCHQ mean our engineers sometimes have to develop bespoke software. Technically challenging, these often require highly advanced mathematical and software techniques rarely found in the commercial world. Applications may involve Signals Analysis, Complex Data Manipulation, Translation and Transcription. Our technologies include: Electronic engineeringVery High Speed Integrated Circuit (VHSIC) Hardware Description Language (VHDL) is used in system development stages. Circuits are implemented in discrete components, Integrated Circuits (ICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Most systems are PC based or rack mounted, although some have more demanding requirements. GCHQ is moving towards CE safety accreditation for all new systems, although all field systems are already fully Tempest tested. |
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