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.

The support of these facilities includes:

Network hardware and software troubleshooting
Network error and load monitoring
Network tuning
Maintaining network documentation and databases
Reconstructing and reconfiguring networks to meet optimal performance needs
Expanding networks to meet increased numbers of users and increased bandwidth requirements
Consulting with network users regarding optimal network usage
Evaluating new networking technologies and equipment
Tracking and coordinating all network project activities via a work-request/work-tracking system

NETS supports over 110 logical networks, approximately 100 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. And 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, and maintenance and repair of several categories of SCD computer hardware.

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 FY97 include:

More information about NETS is available at the NETS website.

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