Network engineering and technology advancements
The Network Engineering and Technology Section (NETS) is responsible for
the planning, engineering, installation, operation, and maintenance of
state-of-the-art networking and data communications facilities for
NCAR/UCAR.
An overview of these networks is depicted in the diagram titled
"Logical UCAR Network Structure".
The support of these facilities includes:
- Network hardware and software troubleshooting.
- Network performance, load, and error monitoring.
- Network performance tuning.
- Network configuration updates.
- Expanding networks to meet increased numbers of users and
increased bandwidth requirements.
- Reconstructing and reconfiguring networks to meet
changing needs and standards.
- Consulting with network users regarding configuration and performance
issues with network applications, network hosts, and network connections.
- Cabling-plant re-engineering and construction.
- Evaluating new networking technologies and equipment.
- Maintaining network documentation and databases.
- Tracking and coordinating all network project activities via
a work-request/work-tracking system.
- Inventory management.
- Budget management.
NETS supports over 120 logical networks, approximately 210 monitorable
network devices, and over 3000 network-attached devices at NCAR/UCAR.
NETS also supports the networking portion of advanced projects that are
a product of outside or interagency funding. International networking
project support is included in this category as well. NETS maintains
a transit network that supports the interconnection of several major
national networks.
Another major NETS activity is the support of all SCD internal
networking needs.
In summary, NETS provides a vital service to the atmospheric and
oceanographic research communities by linking supercomputing resources
(including mass storage systems and other data communication resources)
to scientists at NCAR and throughout the university research community.
These activities are essential to the effective use of NCAR/UCAR's
scientific resources, and they foster the overall advancement of
scientific inquiry.
The primary NETS accomplishments in FY1998 include:
More information about NETS is available at the
NETS website.
To access the rest of the NETS FY1998 Annual Scientific Report:
Network engineering and technology advancements