Original Date: 01/27/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is identifying and applying information technologies likely to dominate in the electronic commerce, the National Information Infrastructure (NII), and the Global Information Infrastructure (GII) arenas. Focus technologies include Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; Simple Mail Transfer Protocol and Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions; HTTP/HTML (protocol and language of the World Wide Web); Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, a simplified version of the X.500 directory services protocol from the International Standards Organization; and security mechanisms based on public key cryptography. LLNL is structuring its own data architecture for easy evolution into future NII/GII capabilities.

LLNL has applied these technologies to two pilot projects. The first project, with the Bank of America, uses encrypted electronic mail via the Internet for electronic fund transfers plus remittance (invoice) information to execute payment orders. These electronic data interchange transactions demonstrate the capability to move sensitive information between computer systems over the Internet. Since it has met all of LLNL’s and the Bank of America’s requirements, the pilot project has been continued with expanded scope and benefits of lessons learned.

The second pilot project, with 33 partners from the American Textile Partnership, is Textile Network (TEXNET). As an Internet-based system for the Demand-Activated Manufacturing Architecture Project, TEXNET provides secure, selective data sharing among retailers, apparel manufacturers, mills, and fiber producers. TEXNET provides the authentication capability for the data users (with appropriate access rights), while the Internet provides the cost- effective distribution capability for a greatly-expanded client base.

LLNL is also examining the possibility of applying the information technologies for classifying design and manufacturing data within the Department of Energy (DOE). Considerations include the use of SecureNet and public key security mechanisms.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.