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COMBINED FEDERATED BATTLE LABORATORIES NETWORK
(CFBLNet)
This Guide is intended to support event sponsors and users with practices and procedures of the Combined Federated Battle Laboratories Network (CFBLNet) for planning and requirements purposes.
This document will provide information and guidance on requesting access to the CFBLNet. It aims to provide a greater understanding of the processes and procedures used within the CFBLNet management to improve the quality of CFBLNet services.
The aim of CFBLNet is to provide the infrastructure of choice for research, development, trials, and assessment (RDT&A); exercises, testing and training for CFBLNet Mission Partners to field comprehensive operaChapter 2tional Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities.
The changing nature of contemporary and future warfare demands that CFBLNet be capable of evolving to support the integration of all mission partners involved across the spectrum of operations[1]. CFBLNet is open to potential partners – even on temporary basis - in order to react flexible to upcoming events.
CFBLNet is typified as a persistent network utilising practises and procedures in order to deliver a robust and accredited network. CFBLNet does not support operational usage or traffic.
CFBLNet functions under the authority of the CFBLNet Technical Arrangement / Charter.
CFBLNet is a federated multi-national, research, development, training, trials and assessment infrastructure based on an IP backbone network. It also covers the supporting staff, working groups and management structure. The CFBLNet consists of distributed and integrated network architectures of Combined, Joint, and Service infrastructure components (networks, database servers, application servers, client workstations, etc.). These are located within the confines of the various battle laboratories and sites of the participant. Which provide the applications, analytic tool, security devices and communications necessary to conduct initiatives.
Each Mission Partner the CFBLNet provides, manages, supports and is responsible for it’s own national/organizational infrastructure, which collectively form the CFBLNet. The USA Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), in coordination with the Mission Partners, will centrally coordinate network management. Details of the network and services aspects are contained in Annex C.
The CFBLNet organizational hierarchy is shown in Figure 1; responsibilities are detailed in Terms of Reference Annex A.
Figure 1: Organizational hierarchy
The CFBLNet is a voluntary association of Core CFBLNet Mission Partners (CMP) comprising the USA, NATO[2] and the Combined Communications-Electronics Board (CCEB)[3]. Other Potential[4] Mission Partners (PMP) are encouraged to participate in events through sponsorship[5] by a CMP. Once approved, a PMP will become a Guest CFBLNet Mission Partner (GMP). Mission Partners retain their individual right to participate or not in CFBLNet activities.
The term Initiative is defined as any activity which utilises the capability of the CFBLNet. Initiatives encompass any activity within the research, development, trial and assessment community that requires the use of a network in its execution. All Initiatives require the submission of a CFBLNet Initiative Information Package (CIIP).
Each Initiative participant is responsible for implementing CFBLNet Security Management Policies and Procedures in conjunction with their own national/organizational security accreditor.
The network is a closed, wide area communications network linking Mission Partner infrastructures, collectively forming the CFBLNet. The CFBLNet consists of an unclassified Backbone Infrastructure (BlackBone) with persistent and temporary enclaves of various security classifications further information is provided in Annex C.
The CFBLNet has 3 NCCs; located in the USA, Australia and Europe. The CFBLNet is a 24/7-accessible network, however engineering support may not be available outside regional operational hours.
The CFBLNet Change Management staffing process is the means by which CFBLNet Change Request (CCR) are submitted to the Secretariat for approval through the C-EG and tracked to closure. Potential Changes are to be submitted through their national CLR/GLR for consideration.
Mission Partners are responsible to advise the Secretariat of any CFBLNet activity that is not in compliance with CFBLNet policies and practices.
[1] Doctrinally referred to in the literature as “spectrum of conflict.”
[2] All NATO Nations and the Organization
[3] AUS, CAN, NZ, UK, USA
[4] PMPs are encouraged to engage a CFBLNet Lead Representative to explore GMP possibilities.
[5] National coordination, processing and identifying the appropriate level signatory and the international coordination of the Bi-lateral agreement towards a GMP could take up to a year