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Success on Sun
Instituto Federal Electoral (Federal Electoral Institute)
Programa de Resultados Electorales Preliminares (Preliminary Electoral Results Program)
Government
Winning Concept:
Using Sun's Java Enterprise computing architecture supported by
Sun Enterprise Cluster to implement a world-class electoral system.
Benefits:
- Successfully developed a sophisticated and efficient electoral device,
providing Mexico's first technological infrastructure for future
elections.
- Established credibility in the use of information technology as a
support for election processes.
- Provided secure, highly-available election data processing and on-line
dissemination of results.
- Created a worldwide election process model.
Equipment:
Four Sun Sun Enterprise 3000 servers running Parallel Database and Failover
applications, (each running up to eight processors with 750MB of memory)
providing continuous application services to 96 Sun JavaStations.
Services:
| Multix: | Sun Integrator |
| Sun Professional Services: | Project Management |
| SunSoft: | Solaris Operating System, Security Software, Solstice Enterprise Management Network Monitoring Solution |
| SunService: |
Mission-Critical SunSpectrum Gold SMCC Service |
| Oracle: | Oracle Universal Server Database Technology |
| BEA Systems/ UNIX Systems Laboratories: | Tuxedo Transaction Monitoring System |
| Netscape: | Web server |
| Ludens: | Montage Tool for Result Pages Java-based design |
| Cromasoft: | Olmer Security SystemProgramming; System Development and Documentation |
The Results Are In:
Mexico Selects Sun Systems to Streamline Election Processes
In early 1997, Mexico planned the most competitive federal and local elections
in its history. In an environment of intense public interest and scrutiny,
citizen and political parties were also pressuring the country to conduct these
elections as openly and securely as possible. Unfortunately, at the time,
Mexico's election results systems and processes were inadequate to handle the
expected large voter turnout and to meet stringent new requirements for
verifiable results gathering, counting, and dissemination.
In response to a government bid outlining requirements for an updated system,
Multix, S.A. de C.V. presented an innovative solution based on Sun's Java
Enterprise computing architecture. Their system of Sun Enterprise 3000 cluster
servers and 96 JavaStations not only contributed to a smooth-running election,
but served as an electoral system model for countries around the world.
The Requirements:
Technical Performance, Economic Viability
The deficiencies of the existing election reporting system prompted a review of
requirements by Mexico's election advisers at the Instituto Federal Electoral
(IFE), an autonomous body constitutionally in charge of election processes, and
responsible for counting votes and reporting results. As a result of the study,
the Institute issued a decision calling for a formal bid and selection of
solution suppliers. Published in the Federal Official Gazette, the bid specified
the requirements for a mix of hardware, software, and services to meet high
goals of functionality, security, availability, and economy.
Dr. Víctor Guerra led the project efforts and served as the General Coordinator
of the IFE's Preliminary Electoral Results Program (PREP). Guerra and his team
of twelve advisors faced two major challenges. First, they had only twelve weeks
to
design and implement the infrastructure that would allow the open and
transparent communication of election results through the Internet. Secondly,
and equally important, they had to create public confidence that technology
could not only minimize the risk of an election process failure, but actually
provide a vehicle for major advancements.
Guerra pointedly describes the situation, "An inefficient data gathering,
counting, and publication implementation would have had serious consequences in
a number of aspects of national life, as well as endangered the career survival
of many of us. But our civic duty led us to a commitment to the project."
Only two suppliers met the technical specifications in the timeframe required.
Of those two, Multix, S.A. de C.V., an integrator owned by the SyC group and a
commercial partner of Sun de México, was the only one able to also meet the
critical time
constraints. Guerra continues, "Suppliers were chosen in
accordance with standard bidding procedures, and the winner simply presented the
best solution. The Multix bid included Sun technology, which proved to be an
ideal server architecture for the project. We were also impressed with Sun's
sincere commitment. Some of the other suppliers told us that they simply
couldn't supply project leaders for such a big effort."
Reliable Performance
The IFE's bid specified the creation of two identical computing centers (with
Press Centers at each) - one primary center at the election headquarters, and a
backup at the World Trade Center in Mexico City. Upon receiving results from the
vote gathering centers, the main system replicated the data to the backup
center, which, in the event of a problem, would automatically take over.
The Multix clustered-architecture solution included two interconnected Sun Ultra
Enterprise 3000 servers, each with redundant hardware components and
high-availability software. The solution provided expandable performance through
the cluster as well as an ongoing service for mission-critical applications.
Additionally, the electoral system included 96 JavaStations for disseminating
results via the Intranet to large screen monitors in the Press Rooms.
The implementation included a cluster solution which supports both Parallel
Database and Failover applications. The Parallel Database cluster serviced the
Counting Center with parallel management of the election process data base. This
database, developed with Oracle's Universal Server, achieves high availability,
high performance, and provides the ability to easily deploy replicated data.
Each Parallel Database application was configured with eight processors and 750
megabytes of RAM.
The High Availability application served the Dissemination Center with one
system performing data gathering and reporting operations while a second system
served as a standby in the event of a failure. Each High Availability
application included four processors, two working simultaneously and two in
reserve, and 750 megabytes of RAM. Each cluster accessed a mirrored 48 GB
storage system.
The JavaStations were configured in two groups. Journalists used one set to
obtain the latest information for their reporting assignments. The second set,
configured without keyboards, supported 13 foot display screens located around
the Press Rooms. One JavaStation was set up for each Mexican State holding an
election that day, and two additional Javastations supported the two 33 x
13-foot screens that displayed nationwide results.
The Internet Advantages
Under the law, PREP gathers data from all voting sites and delivers it to the
IFE's General Council. The new system met all legal requirements and allowed
results publishing via the Internet, offering virtually instantaneous
information dissemination.
Guerra points out that the Internet-enabled systems also allowed fast navigation
through a great number of pages. Additionally, the Internet connection provided
open and democratic communication, critical for including the Mexican people in
both national and international level election processes. "Our electoral system
is a mix of good law and good technology that serves as a launching pad for a
process that can be used as a model worldwide", says Guerra.
The Multix Choice
The IFE selected Multix as its system provider because of its superior
technology and its dedicated project team. Guerra explains, "From a
technological point of view, the Sun clusters offered the best features for
mission-critical applications. As far as inquiry terminals are concerned, the
JavaStation architecture greatly differentiates itself from other hardware -
since it is not exposed to viruses and can't be tampered with - it guarantees a
high security level and allows counting to be conducted in the network, not in
the polling box."
The experienced Multix project team was also critical to the projects success.
Not only was the size of the effort daunting - the system ultimately had to
deliver processing capacity of 120 transactions per second, but the schedule
allowed only six weeks for delivery and another six for hardware and software
installation, testing, and system start-up. Proven practices of working across
business lines and cooperating with external partners allowed Multix to
integrate an effective solution in record time.
The PREP project, which ultimately involved 5400 people, demonstrated the
results achievable through highly-effective cooperation among vendors and IFE
staff. Even under intense pressure from both political parties (who were
continuously performing audits) and external monitors, the PREP team delivered.
"A group of truly brave collaborators was formed including Sun, the college
students who worked in data input centers, and all of the companies that
'bought' the challenge, bet on success, and focused on giving their best
effort," comments Guerra.
The Final Tally
By all accounts the election was a success. The Sun-based system collected
results from polling booths consolidated in 3,000 data input centers (using
remote terminals) located at 340 sites along the Mexican territory. During the
election, the system achieved a 400-transaction-per-second rate and results were
displayed on more than 30 large screens. At the close of polling, data was
disseminated to the public via an election Web page, where 7 million hits were
recorded.
Guerra concludes, "For the first time in Mexican history, the project, hardware
and software will be preserved for the next election. Results communicated
election night were subject to no claim or objection, and variation between
preliminary results and official counting amounted to hundredths of a point.
Besides technical satisfaction, we feel enthusiastic about the services provided
by the 6,000 people involved in the process throughout the country."
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