Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
vides a very thin client, often a terminal with no independent intelligence from
the central processor. The distributed server model provides like services on a
regional, campus, or departmental level; servers provide specialized functionality
(e.g., order entry) and multiple servers provide applications and data to a thick
client, the desktop PC (the latter provides a 1:1 session link). Application service
delivery (ASD) is an emerging model where the service provider abstracts applica-
tions from the infrastructure. Clients request a service and a software agent picks
up the request and finds the most efficient way to deliver the results to the client.
Clients no longer have dedicated servers, and the 1:1 session link gives way to
server and service transparency.
The ASD is a new technical model, a new way to deliver technical capabili-
ties, and a new method of managing resources on a network. This is an example
of a technical driver for IA
2
. Accompanying the business benefits of ASD are new
risks—risks that are discernible by examining network operations and technical
service delivery using the IA
2
Process. Implications to network design and network
management include designing multiple paths between clients and agent services
as well as between agent services and servers. Such designs promote load balancing
and redundancy to keep operations going in the event of individual agent, server,
or link failures.
8.9.1.1 Network Management Services
The network operations center (NOC) watches over the technical infrastructure of
voice and data communications to ensure functionality and steer alignment with
business goals. Extensions of the NOC are security operations center (SOC) and
management operations center (MOC) services. Whereas NOC focuses on the
communications infrastructure, SOC focuses on the information assurance issues
of communications and other areas of the business.
MOC is a service that may compile intelligence from the NOC, SOC, and
other areas, and perform and report on intelligence analysis. MOC concerns
include a meta-view of the mechanics of operations (e.g., network performance) as
well as in context of the business process; the latter is the value-add for the MOC.
Each service is logically separate, though there is likely overlap in personnel and
equipment.
8.9.1.2 Network Management Mechanics
The NOC watches over the technical infrastructure using automated tools and
industry standard protocols like the Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP). Infrastructure devices alert a central server of potential problems, for
example, via SNMP traps. The server displays a picture of the device in error and
