Defense Information Systems Network

The Defense Information System Network (DISN) has been the United States Department of Defense's enterprise network for providing data, video and voice services for 40 years.

The DISN Leading Edge Services (DISN-LES) is a "Next Generation" network providing wide area Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) connectivity to worldwide subscriber sites. The network is used by subscribers and DISA's GE-51 Program Office to test systems, equipment, network monitoring and management technologies, trouble shooting, and help desk procedures. The DISN-LES also provides technologies such as quality of service protocols. Supported capabilities include video teleconferencing and other collaborative tools such as electronic whiteboarding and distributed war-fighting simulations. Another network focus is compatibility testing among products produced on evolving standards. Some sites have been set up to pass unclassified traffic into the encrypted part of the network. The results of network, hardware and software tests and exercises are shared with equipment and software suppliers and government organizations to provide real world experience with the technologies that influence network designs and system acquisition decisions throughout the industry.