Schriever computer network migrates to AFNET

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tyler Carter
  • 50th Space Communications Squadron
SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Schriever Air Force Base will migrate its non-secure internet protocol, or unclassified, computer users into the enterprise-level, Air Force Network Tuesday.
This migration is known as the Active Directory and Exchange Migration or ADX.
For approximately 45 days, a team from the Air Force Network Integration Center will begin a phased migration of the base's computer workstations, including the 310th Space Wing, and e-mail in the AFNet.
Personnel affected will be those individuals who currently have an e-mail address ending with "schriever.af.mil."
The goal of ADX is to consolidate all independent Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard networks in the AFNet. To the majority of computer users, the changes will be transparent and should not cause any interruption to network access or normal day-to-day operations.
For the Air Force, this migration represents a major change to how computer networks are managed.
Until recently, major commands and a variety of Air Force organizations have operated their own independent networks, driving unique and unit-specific requirements.
This approach has led to standardization and security problems, high operation and maintenance costs and a lack of enterprise situational awareness. In short, there was no single organization or commander responsible for the network.
The ADX project addresses these issues and places Air Force Cyber Operations under the operational control of a single commander; yielding a significant improvement in the Air Force's ability to fight daily virus activity and malicious intrusion attempts. Additionally, ADX will centralize services like e-mail and data storage, drastically improving network security and standardization.
Finally, operational and training costs will be reduced through the elimination of redundant systems and services.
According to Lt. Col. Fred Taylor, 50th Space Communications Squadron commander, this migration readies Schriever Air Force Base to successfully face future challenges.
"The AFNet migration strengthens our cyber defense posture in several ways," said Taylor. "It further centralizes control of our boundaries increasing the level of situational awareness when our networks are under attack. It standardizes users across the Air Force, not just within a MAJCOM but with e-mail for career as well."
Taylor also stressed that these changes are necessary, though users might see some initial delays.
"The help desk functions will become centralized under the Enterprise Service Desk," said Taylor. "Users may initially see delays in their tickets being closed, but through the long-run, the ESD will share lessons learned across the Air Force and improve our cyber defenses."
After the migration, the most visible change will be the format of e-mail addresses. This migration replaces the old e-mail addresses, first.last@schriever.af.mil, with the standard E4C address, first.last@us.af.mil.
For six months following the migration, old e-mail address with the "schriever.af.mil" will automatically forward to respective E4C addresses. The new addresses will remain with users for the duration of their career, employment or affiliation with the Air Force, regardless of the base or organization assigned. Additionally, as more bases join the AFNet, Airmen will be able to log into their accounts and access services from any AFNet base without requesting and or creating an additional account. This will allow easy access to the network during deployments, evacuations to other bases, temporary duty and through permanent change of station moves.
It is important to note once the migration occurs, help desk calls for unclassified computer support will no longer be addressed by the Communications Focal Point.
According to Tech. Sgt. Jeremy O'Keeffe, the 50 SCS client services section chief, the customer support process will remain the same with one important modification.
"Customers will still call 567-COMM (2666) for all their needs, but now option one will link them to an Enterprise Service Desk technician for NIPR issues," said O'Keeffe.
"There will still be options for secure internet protocol, land mobile radio, telephone and job control issues on the 567-COMM (2666) menu."
Schriever is not the first base to migrate to AFNet. The 50 SCS is working closely with installations already migrated to gain insight and lessons learned. To ensure a smooth
transition to the AFNet, look for 50 SCS generated advisories for additional migration related information.
Please direct questions to: 50scs.cfp2@schriever.af.mil or call 567-COMM (2666), option one.