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[[Image:Baseshipcontrolinterface.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Cylons accessing the datastream]] | [[Image:Baseshipcontrolinterface.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Cylons accessing the datastream]] | ||
The '''datastream''' is the name for a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] central [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer]] network<ref> | The '''datastream''' is the name for a [[Cylons (RDM)|Cylon]] central [[Computers in the Re-imagined Series|computer]] network<ref> | ||
Computer networks on the real-world Earth are very complex and come in many different designs. Computer specialists should note that the series | Computer networks on the real-world Earth are very complex and come in many different designs. Computer specialists should note that the series avoids providing detailed explanations of the nature of technologies that drive episode plots (i.e. [[Technobabble]]). The datastream's [[Wikipedia:Network topology|network topology]] or [[Wikipedia:Computer network|network design]] is unknown.</ref>. | ||
A datastream is first seen in a Cylon facility on occupied [[New Caprica]], where the Colonial [[launch key]]s are held. [[Sharon Agathon]] uses her Cylon abilities to access the datastream to grant her access to the key's storage area ([[Exodus, Part I]]). | A datastream is first seen in a Cylon facility on occupied [[New Caprica]], where the Colonial [[launch key]]s are held. [[Sharon Agathon]] uses her Cylon abilities to access the datastream to grant her access to the key's storage area ([[Exodus, Part I]]). | ||
On a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], the datastream is literally composed of a stream of | On a [[Basestar (RDM)|basestar]], the datastream is literally composed of a stream of fluid, which is used in whole or in part as a transmission medium, a storage medium, or both.<ref>Sharon Agathon identifies the fluid as a datastream in the episode "[[A Measure of Salvation]]".</ref> | ||
Several [[humanoid Cylon]]s are seen using interfaces in a basestar's [[Basestar command|command and control center]] that consist of a illuminated panel covered by a thin layer of water, suggesting that the liquid may serve as both display and input device as a Cylon interfaces the datastream. This behavior is reinforced by the comparative lack of visual displays throughout the command and control center. All information appears to come from these liquid data interfaces. | Several [[humanoid Cylon]]s are seen using interfaces in a basestar's [[Basestar command|command and control center]] that consist of a illuminated panel covered by a thin layer of water, suggesting that the liquid may serve as both display and input device as a Cylon interfaces the datastream. This behavior is reinforced by the comparative lack of visual displays throughout the command and control center. All information appears to come from these liquid data interfaces. | ||
Revision as of 00:40, 14 August 2007
The datastream is the name for a Cylon central computer network[1].
A datastream is first seen in a Cylon facility on occupied New Caprica, where the Colonial launch keys are held. Sharon Agathon uses her Cylon abilities to access the datastream to grant her access to the key's storage area (Exodus, Part I).
On a basestar, the datastream is literally composed of a stream of fluid, which is used in whole or in part as a transmission medium, a storage medium, or both.[2]
Several humanoid Cylons are seen using interfaces in a basestar's command and control center that consist of a illuminated panel covered by a thin layer of water, suggesting that the liquid may serve as both display and input device as a Cylon interfaces the datastream. This behavior is reinforced by the comparative lack of visual displays throughout the command and control center. All information appears to come from these liquid data interfaces.
The interfaces are normally used by the Cylons by placing their hand on the interface, making contact with the illuminated base and the thin liquid layer, which activates the data ports within their arm. The interfaces can also be configured to show visual information such as still photography, such as the photos taken by Gaius Baltar during his exploration of a dying basestar that makes a reconnaissance mission to the Lion's Head Nebula (Torn). Sections of these pictures can be enlarged and sharpened.
The basestar's central computer, the Hybrid, rests within a pool of liquid, connected to many conduits below the surface. Clear liquid drips on the Hybrid from above the pool, suggesting that data might be relayed to and from the Hybrid through the liquid surrounding and falling upon her in some fashion.
Athena accompanies fellow members of a Colonial boarding party that investigates a basestar that is found disabled in space. She instructs others to place "SSR leads" in a pool of water as she attempts to access the basestar's computer database, hoping to make a data dump from the basestar to a Colonial data storage device.
Datapoints[3] are either database records or specific subdatabases in the datastream. On New Caprica, Sharon Agathon tells the resistance that the datapoints indicated that the launch keys she retrieved were not damaged. Some time later, on a disabled basestar, she attempts to access the basestar's datastream and finds its datapoints severely corroded, suggesting that the datastream (and datapoints) have an organic element that is as equally susceptible to viral damage as the humanoid Cylons.
After living humanoid Cylons are found and information on the ship's infection is discovered, the boarding team appears to abort their information gathering attempt (A Measure of Salvation).
References
- ↑ Computer networks on the real-world Earth are very complex and come in many different designs. Computer specialists should note that the series avoids providing detailed explanations of the nature of technologies that drive episode plots (i.e. Technobabble). The datastream's network topology or network design is unknown.
- ↑ Sharon Agathon identifies the fluid as a datastream in the episode "A Measure of Salvation".
- ↑ The source for datapoints is based on their use in context in the episode "Exodus, Part I" and "A Measure of Salvation".