An interruption to internet services comes with many consequences—impacting both organizations and the granular parts of daily life. NOCs, or Network Operation Centers, exist to mitigate these disruptions and ensure that networks operate smoothly.
Yet, not all NOCs are made equal. Read on to learn more about the role of a NOC in network management and the role of personalized NOC solutions.
Or, you can learn more about how our NOC services at Irby Utilities can address your specific operational needs by reaching out to our team.
What is a NOC?
A NOC is a centralized center where an internet service provider (ISP)’s operations are monitored and managed. They provide real-time visibility into the health and performance of the infrastructure that keeps ISP networks up and running.
These centers are generally staffed around the clock to provide 24/7 support, enabling networks to promptly address complications and maintain the smooth, uninterrupted running of operations.
ISPs may choose to manage operations internally and establish a NOC themselves. While an in-house NOC might bring increased control and the ability to tailor solutions as needed, internal NOCs also require a significant investment—necessitating specialized personnel and infrastructure, among other costs.
The service provider may instead choose to outsource these operations to specialized third parties. With this option, the ISP doesn’t have to swallow facilities, equipment, and staffing costs, and they’re able to lean on the extensive experience of an external NOC provider.
All internet service providers are faced with the important question of whether to establish an in-house NOC or to outsource their network operations. While each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, the decision ultimately depends on the company’s needs, scale, strategic goals, and existing in-house personnel. In either case, it’s still important to be familiar with the key functions of a NOC and how they can serve ISP networks.
The Key Functions of a NOC
In a sentence, the main role of a NOC is to monitor, manage, and ensure the optimal performance of an internet service provider’s network.
To that end, here are three key ways a NOC accomplishes its objectives.
Performance optimization: A NOC employs sophisticated, tailored monitoring tools and techniques to closely track ISP network performance. This tracking identifies and addresses potential or realized issues before they can cause outages or disruptions more generally. A NOC contains a host of infrastructures to track network performance, including network management systems (NMS), fault management systems, and application performance monitoring (APM) software, each working together to provide comprehensive network performance visibility.
Incident response and solutions: To promptly identify incident root causes and implement corrective actions accordingly, a NOC maintains a team of highly skilled and experienced network engineers and technicians who are always available. This team leverages the previously mentioned network data to pinpoint problems and quickly execute solutions to prevent or minimize outages. ISPs practically benefit from prompt incident response and solutions in a multitude of ways. For example, the ability to identify an incident as it’s happening can help a ISP dispatch trucks most efficiently, saving valuable resources during emergency events. Furthermore, rapid responses can mitigate the impact of outages on customers and work to reduce consumer dissatisfaction and brand reputation damage.
Network management: A NOC maintains an inventory of the company’s network devices, data, and applications. This inventory offers a centralized record of all network constituents and enables NOC staff to engage in network oversight and management, whether that’s troubleshooting or providing upgrades.
Irby Utilities NOC Services
Companies trust Irby Utilities with their network management and broadband solutions because of our extensive experience and specialized support. By partnering with Irby Utilities, you can:
- Enhance network performance and reliability: We know what works, and what doesn’t. Through an in-depth understanding of our clients’ service offerings, infrastructure, and technologies, our engineers and technicians can ensure the enhancement of network performance and general functionality.
- Scale: Our services are tailored to the nuanced needs of our clients. Through a bespoke approach, we provide the specific support that our clients require and facilitate adjustments amid evolving technological and sectoral advancements.
- Reduce costs: The overhead that’s required for in-house network management—such as staffing, infrastructure, maintenance, and more—can quickly add up. By outsourcing to Irby Utilities, you can offload these costs and free up resources for other strategic initiatives.
Furthermore, as the team at Irby Utilities is based locally, we’re continually available to answer questions, provide support, and promptly tend to any concerns that may come up.
Trust Irby Utilities to ensure that your network operations remain secure. Reach out to our team today to learn more about how our NOC services can be tailored to your ISP’s specific operational needs.