4.
Flood Search. The principle of flood search is a key operational characteristic of the
MSE network. MSE uses a non-deterministic flood search technique to locate called subscribers
and to set up the circuit connections for the call. Flood search ensures that a call is established
only after acknowledgement is received from the party's switch. It allows call links to be
established over any available path between two subscribers. Under the non-deterministic flood
search technique, the node switch will automatically select and route the subscriber's call over
the optimum signal path between the two end points.
a. Figure 1-22, page 1-28, shows the four phases in the flood search technique. Each
switch maintains only a listing of local subscribers in its data base. The subscriber initiates a call
by taking the telephone handset off hook and dialing the number. If the called party is a local
call (off the same or originating switch) and is contained in the switch's directory listing (known
as affiliation), the call is automatically completed. If the called party is not affiliated with the
switch, a search message (search phase) is automatically forwarded to all other connected
switches, and their paths are marked (but not reserved) for possible routing. When the switch
(known as the terminating switch) where the called party is affiliated located in the network, the
terminating switch sends a return message (return phase) back toward the originating switch over
the optimum marked path. The originating switch then broadcasts an end-of-routing message
(end of routing phase) to all connected switches so that switches not involved in the call can
clear their routing register. The circuit is then automatically connected over the optimum path to
complete the call (call complete phase).
b. In a non-MSE environment, tactical automatic switches use the deterministic
technique to complete calls. Circuit paths to subscribers are predesignated. If a call is placed to
a switch which is not programmed to automatically switch the call to the subscriber, the call
cannot be completed and the caller needs the switch operator's assistance to complete the call.
5.
MSE Predeloyment Planning. The deployment of MSE requires carefully coordinated
procedures throughout the corps. MSE deployment is broken down into four main phases
(predeployment, installing the backbone network, installing the extension networks, and
operational management).
a. The predeployment phase has eight subphases (user requirement, interfaces,
RAU/MSRT deployment plan, other system considerations, team packets, COMSEC, operations
order (OPORD), and site reconnaissance).
(1) User requirements. Signal planners, based on command guidance, must
determine the method or type of signal support to satisfy command, control, and communications
(C3) requirements, including connectivity with adjacent units, EAC, and host nation
communications resources. Priorities must be established and published in the OPORD.
Installing the backbone network has top priority. Once the backbone network is
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