This guide is aimed at providing a general understanding of the various types of hardware devices that form the core of information processing systems for ship and marine use. Ship and marine information processing systems require specific devices in order to perform automated tasks in a specialized environment. In addition to providing information services for each individual installation, these devices are often networked and are capable of supplementary functions that benefits ship and marine operations.

A variety of choices exists for deployment of information processing devices and greatly increases the complexity of the selection task for ship and marine systems. The choice of a particular device or system cannot be made solely on the singular requirements of one application or function. Modern information processing systems are usually installed in a complex environment where systems must be made to interact with each other. Ship and marine installations add an even further layer of complexity to the process of choosing adequate computerized systems. This guide aims to alleviate this task by giving users specific choices that are proven technologies that perform in a complex environment.

Hardware resources used in ship and marine installations are a result of careful consideration of utility and function. These resources may require some physical specialization in order to inhabit a particular environment, but they are in no way different from equipment used in shore-based situations. Ship and marine computer system configurations, interconnections, and support services are essentially the same as those found in a land-based network environment and as a result, the skill sets of ship and marine information processing system users, administrators, and support personnel are interchangeable with those of shore-based activities.

1.1 This guide provides assistance in the choice of computing hardware resources for ship and marine environments and describes:

1.1.1 The core characteristics of interoperable systems that can be incorporated into accepted concepts such as the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model;

1.1.2 Process-based models, such as the Technical Reference Model (TRM), that rely on interoperable computing hardware resources to provide the connection between the operator, network, application, and information; and,

1.1.3 The integrated architecture that can be used to meet minimum information processing requirements for ship and marine environments.

1.2 The use of models such as OSI and TRM provide a structured method for design and implementation of practical shipboard information processing systems and provides planners and architects with a roadmap that can be easily understood and conveyed to implementers. The use of such models permit functional capabilities to be embodied within concrete systems and equipment.

1.3 The information provided in this guide is understood to represent a set of concepts and technologies that have, over time, evolved into accepted standards that are proven in various functional applications. However, the one universal notion that still remains from the earliest days of information processing is that technological change is inevitable. Accordingly, the user of this guide must understand that such progress may rapidly invalidate or supersede the information contained herein. Nonetheless, the concept of implementing ship and marine computing systems based on these functional principles allows for logical and rational development and provides a sound process for eventual upgrade and improvement.