The NOC Web
The NOC Web is the portal to everything networked in SoC.
Although it started as fundamentally a web-based network operations
centre, the NOC Web is now a comprehensive management and monitoring
centre for network and security operations, and much more. The NOC Web
is not just for operations staff. Some the the applications and
information are for end-users.
Goals of the NOC Web
The Network Team aims to use the NOC Web as a
platform to web-ify its many applications and processes, in
addition to making information readily available. Their goal is to
create an on-line one-stop self-service web portal to provide end-users
and operations staff with direct access to the information,
applications, work-flow systems and operations control they need to
carry out their tasks efficiently and effectively.
Through the NOC Web, the Network Team hopes to
provide greater transparency to various backend network operations,
empowering both operations staff and end-users with greater knowledge
and understanding of what goes on in the network.
What's on the NOC Web
NOC Registrar: This is the host registration database of all
systems connected to SoC network (except the SoC PnP sub-network).
It stores important information, contact details, DNS records, etc.
It also consolidates activity reports. Parts of the Registrar
database is accessible to end-users.
Inventory Management System: This is an equipment inventory and
loans system. It is used primarily to track movement and loans of
network equipment, but is also used by other departments to track
assets under their charge.
Fault Management System: Various network and system alarms are
tracked and managed by this system. This also includes fault
notification via SMS, alphanumeric paging and email.
Net Monitoring: Many network and system parameters are monitored
and stored in a round-robin database. The graphs are all available
online.
Security Operations: This includes a system for managing security
vulnerability assessment, problem resolution and policy enforcement.
There is also a web-based conosle for SoC's network intrusion
detection system. Facility Management: Web-based facility management of the SoC
Machine Room tracks equipment deployment, locations, power and heat
dissipation, environment monitoring, UPS management, etc.
Ticket Tracker: This is a powerful ticket tracking system used by
the Network Team to track work orders, trouble
reports, help requests, etc. It is now also used by SoC Technical
Services, Workshop and office administrative staff.
WebCam: SoC Network Team runs a network of
web-enabled security surveillance cameras. These cameras are
deployed mostly in common computer laboratories, although some are
installed in research laboratories upon the request of the
supervisor in-charge.
Documentation: The information repository includes user
documentation such as user guides, tutorials and FAQs, as well as
engineering and operational documentation.
Historical Background
The NOC Web first came online in Q2 2000 as a web-based replacement
of the deprecated IPMS (IP Management System). IPMS was a host
registration database written in Microsoft Access.
Just as a historical note, the first system that served the NOC Web
was an old Pentium MMX 200MHz desktop with 64MB RAM running Red Hat
Linux. From this modest beginning, the NOC Web is now served by
several redundant pools of high-end Pentium III, Pentium IV and Xeon 1U
rack mount servers via a pair of redundant load balancers and SSL
accelerators. You can find out more about the
NOC Website Setup.
Related Software Products
Trackify: This is a Groupware
and Issue Tracking system, among many other things.
Related information:
NOC Website Setup
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