International Data 
Processing 
Centers 
HARDWARE 
MICROVAX II (mini/maln frame systems) 
8-32 Mbyte internal real memory 
450 mb Winchester hard disk drive (3) 
Controller 
1600 BPI tape drive 
6250 BPI tape drive 
Digitizer 
Printer/plotter 
Telephone modem 
High resolution color monitor 
SOFTWARE 
See page 
Word processor 
JNET 
COMMUNICATION 
DECNET 
EARTHNET/BITNET 
Regional 
Processing 
Center Node 
HARDWARE 
MICROVAX II INTERNAL REAL MEMORY 
8 mb Internal real memory 
450 mb Winchester hard disk drives (2) 
Controller 
Virtual terminals (3) 
1600 BPI tape drive 
6250 BPI tape drive 
Digitizer 
Printer/plotter 
Telephone modem 
High resolution color monitor 
SOFTWARE 
See page 
Word processor 
JNET 
COMMUNICATION 
DECNET 
EARTHNET/BITNET 
National Analysis 
and 
Early Warning 
Work-Station 
HARDWARE 
IBM PC / DWIPS 
20 mb hard disk storage 
Digitizer 
Printer/Plotter 
Telephone modem 
High resolution color monitor 
GOES IMAGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM 
SOFTWARE 
see page 
Word processor 
Polygon communication 
COMMUNICATION 
EARTHNET/( Analog/Digital) 
O.U.C.C. 4/86 
FIGURE 2 
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTIVE COMPUTER PROCESSING SYSTEMS 
4/PLOTTER 
J.C.C. APR 86 
roller is 
s between storage 
1 devices needed 
ion should 
t system. 
interactive data 
as well as color 
, a high 
splay and user 
for spatial data 
ticular 
ather Image 
g/digital 
ystem and an IBM 
, processes, and 
tier data. (Boice 
1 resolution 
processing system 
full resolution 
"GOES—Tap” 
:simile telephone 
-S each 
L resolution 
Ls automatically 
is utilized in a 
:em. 
im, when 
integrated into the work station configuration, with 
ERDAS Image Processing/GIS Software can provide an 
automated means of determining temperature, 
precipitation, percent of cloud cover, and create 
image loops for analyzing temporal data as well as a 
simple image processing and GIS modeling system at 
the work station environment. Further, a DWIPS type 
image processing system is capable of accepting and 
outputting standard video/audio signals and digital 
data. These particular capabilities are useful as a 
backup telecommunication system for early disaster 
warning. 
The above outlined computer configuration must be 
capable of expanding when the need becomes apparent. 
It is, therefore, necessary to stress the need to 
establish as a starting base, a 32 bit word proces 
sing unit for the nodes. 
Suggested Global Distributed Computer Processing 
Systems 
This section of the paper will outline a total 
systems approach which could be incorporated into 
natural disaster programs. Recommended for global 
distributed computer processing systems development 
is a hierarchical structure of information and data 
processing centers located at key positions. These 
nodes would include local/national centers, 
international/regional processing node centers, and 
instructional data and processing facilities. The 
global system should eventually encompass a global 
capability to facilitate and maximize numerous 
variable inputs not only for monitoring, assessing, 
trend modeling, forecasting, but as an early warning 
system in natural disaster mitigation. This global 
configuration must be flexible. Natural hazards 
represent a complex set of relationships between 
environmental and human socio-economic factors. 
Documenting and analyzing these relationships becomes 
a Herculean task, tor a global configuration must be 
capable of monitoring, assessing and forecasting 
these various types of phenomena and their impact. A 
global distributive computer processing system must 
be capable of accepting numerous types of data in di 
verse formats from a multitude of sources. A global 
system must be capable of accepting new software and 
hardware developments that would expand the powers of 
the system. A flexible system is capable of 
achieving the goal utilizing proper telecommunication 
and data input/output systems. 
Global distributive computer processing systems 
configuration must be expandable. They must have 
expandable capacity to store and process more and 
larger data sets. Growth would be required with 
increases in data sets utilized in analysis and 
modeling procedures, spatial extent of surveillance 
areas, and temporal information expansion. As the 
sources expand, so must the ability to store and 
access these data. Finally a globally distributed 
configuration must be capable of expanding into 
regions of the world where natural disasters commonly 
occur, particularly less developed countries. 
Systems must be developed that are capable 
of operating in a third world environment of budget 
constraints, limited personnel, lack of system's 
maintenance, and perhaps even unreliable electrical 
sources. 
The configuration must, therefore, be "user- 
friendly". That is, globally distributed computer 
processing systems must be technologically trans 
ferable, both in the capacity to operate for 
analysis and to interpret the output. 
Taking into consideration the above needed ap 
proaches for establishing a globably distributed 
configuration, a step or phase approach can be 
incorporated in systems development and imple 
mentation. This approach should consist of three 
development levels taking place at three defined 
centers: 1) International/National Data and 
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