CSP Message Interface (CMI)

Over the years, Communications Support Processor (CSP) has provided the intelligence community with a front-end messaging processor for AUTODIN that relied exclusively on serial-communication protocols. Changing with the times, CSP, along with its child, Secure Messaging and Routing Terminal (SMART), now also supports more modern IP-centric communications. Interconnected through JWICS, CSP-to-CSP as well as CSP-to-backside systems communicate using TCP/IP.

To significantly reduce the amount of effort needed to develop a TCP/IP message interface between CSP and a backside system, Northrop Grumman developed an application program interface (API) called the CSP Message Interface (CMI).

CMI provides the interface between the backside system's communication software module and CSP or SMART over a LAN/WAN. The API contains all of the objects needed to communicate using TCP/IP and FDMP with triple-DES encryption to ensure the integrity and security of message information. CMI supports JANAP-128, ACP-127, DOI-103, DOI-103M, and DD-173 narrative message formats.

CMI interface between backside CSP or SMART over a LAN/WAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The CMI API library also provides utilities for transforming non-message data into formatted messages for transmission through the CSP or SMART. Both ACSII and binary data can be wrapped with normal message header and a trailer, and unwrapped using CMI functions.

CMI is currently supported on Solaris 2.6, Solaris 8, Digital Unix 4.0.d, OpenVMS 7.1, Microsoft Windows NT, and Windows 2000. Northrop Grumman can provide telephone help-desk support to organizations implementing a CMI application. Our detailed interface control document provides programmers with an interface specification, descriptions of CMI library functions, installation and configuration instructions, and a sample of user interface using the CMI.

CMI has been deployed at over 40 CSP and SMART sites worldwide, including both the Imagery Exploitation Support System (IESS) and the DoDIIS Automated Message Handling System (AMHS). The application set-up for a TCP/IP connection is simple, uncomplicated, and is another technological step forward in the evolution of your CSP system.

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