We never close

During second shift in the NCAR Computer Room, Jirina Kokes checks the status of the Mass Storage System (MSS). Jirina and the other SCD operators are responsible for problem identification, tracking, and resolution on all of SCD's major systems, including the MSS, blackforest, ute, dataproc, meeker, babyblue, ouray, and chipeta.

SCD operators provide round-the-clock computing and networking support for SCD users. If a hardware failure occurs, they contact the vendor to replace a part -- often in the middle of the night. ("It always happens at 0:dark:thirty," notes Operations and Information Support Section manager Aaron Andersen.) If there's a software problem, they call in SCD's Supercomputer Systems Group or Distributed Systems Group.

The operators also monitor the status of network connections on the Front Range Gigapop, a high-bandwidth network consortium whose members include NCAR, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Denver University, and the University of Wyoming.

For SCD operators, these and many other responsibilities are all in a day's (and night's) work.

Photo: Lynda Lester/SCD