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 water, which is used in whole or in part as a transmission medium, a storage medium, or both.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag are either database records or specific subdatabases in the datastream. On New Caprica, Sharon "Athena" Agathon indicates to the resistance that the datapoints indicated that that launch keys she retrieved were not damaged. Some time later, on a disabled basestar, Athena 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 Cylon agents.
After living Cylon agents 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 tends not to provide detailed explanations of the nature of technology to drive the episode plot. The datastream's network topology or network design is unknown.