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The Comprehensive Guide to NOC Administrators & Technicians

As a business owner, finding ways to improve and streamline the company is an ongoing priority. Given the role of technology in modern business, this is naturally the perfect place to start. A Network Operations Center (NOC) is one of the many ideas that you’ve probably heard about. Frankly, it could transform the entire venture.

For administrators and technicians alike, understanding the function, mechanics, and challenges of utilizing NOC facilities is essential. Here’s all you need to know.

The Function of the NOC

In its most basic terms, a NOC is a centralized location that offers 24/7 professional IT support as technicians supervise, monitor, and maintain your company’s network. In reality, though, it does so much more.

The NOC handles virtually every aspect of the network, including but not limited to; performance reporting, software installations, and deliveries, firewalls and antivirus, backup storage management, email management, router management, coordination with network affiliates, patch and update management, policy enforcement, and network troubleshooting.

NOCs in their current business form can be dated back to the 1990s, meaning that they have played a key role in operations for as long as digital communications have been integral to B2B and B2C operations. Nowadays, the increased understanding and appreciation of computer networks, wireless communication, and remote working all encourage a greater number of business to adopt this approach – not least because the benefits are huge.

Operating with NOC facilities in place can:

• Remove the need to store as much computer equipment on site;
• Reduce business costs related to the network operations;
• Gain 24/7 maintenance and upkeep;
• Save time by removing the labor tasks, allowing you to focus elsewhere;
• Acquire support from experts that specialize in their specific role;
• Gain peace of mind from knowing that the right option has been selected.

For NOC administrators and technicians, the ongoing benefits of having the operations handled by an external team of experts that boasts the equipment and expert advice needed to help you thrive can work wonders as you look to establish the very NOC best practices. It makes your job easier while helping the company’s performance and bottom line.

Who Keeps the NOC Running?

When operating with a NOC, the business will rely heavily on the work and performance of NOC engineers. In truth, it’s likely that several engineers will work on the project – not least because the company needs 24/7 management.

The NOC engineers will work on several aspects of the network’s back-end facilities to ensure that the smoothest and most reliable service is delivered at all times. This can cover aspects including, but not limited to:

• Configuration of hardware;
• Maintaining network stability;
• Protection against DDoS attacks and other threats;
• Optimizing performance;
• Equipment installations and software deliveries;
• Handling power outages.

In addition to the NOC engineers, most companies using NOC facilities will require an ongoing point of contact for managing their project and discussing any issues.

As an administrator, you will still have a huge responsibility for managing the implementation of those facilities to ensure that the company gains the full benefits of them. In many aspects, the NOC provides the foundations and instruments required to focus your attention without outside concerns.

Similarly, if you’re an on-site technician, you’ll still be responsible for maintaining equipment, cables, and other features. Thanks to the use of the NOC facilities, though, identifying the faults will be easier than ever.

The Mechanics of a Functional NOC

NOCs are an integral feature of the modern telecommunications sector and can transform the dynamics of a business, as well as the individual role of a technician or administrator. However, this is only made possible when the right mechanics are in place.

In order to provide the functions mentioned above, the NOC relies on a variety of different equipment and facilities, including several advanced features. They include:

• Video wall displays to monitor all aspects of the network from one area thanks to the grid of separate but related images.
• Workstations with additional displays allowing noc administrators to monitor items with greater efficiency to deliver faster response time should issues surface.
• Audio input and output facilities to aid noc administrators as they communicate with each other, which can also aid communication with administrators.
• Wireless networks and backup systems that allow the NOC to maintain 100% uptime, in turn enabling them to do the same for the administrator’s company.
• Control interfaces to manage the integrated A/V technologies in a smooth fashion, allowing for tailored and reliable services for the client business.
• Large data storage and powerful machinery to handle all issues the administrator and on-site technicians may face.

Knowing that the NOC has all of the necessary equipment (and skilled experts) to provide a winning service is vital as a NOC technician or administrator. Meanwhile, the on-site staff will still need high-speed computers and equipment (even through BYOD schemes), while the internal networking facilities still require maximum coverage and capacity.

Challenges Facing the NOC

While the benefits of utilizing the NOC route are plentiful, a number of issues may be encountered. Most are heavily linked to communication and the fast pace of computing and networking.

Some of the most notable challenges involve:

• Staying connected to the NOC point of contact so that you can bring up any issues in the quickest time possible while also being ready to digest any info they have to tell you.
• Collating data from your end as well as the NOC’s perspective to complete troubleshooting issues in a timely fashion.
• Irrelevant and outdated documentation due to the ongoing evolutions of cloud technologies.
• Outdated info and the confusion that can surface from the fact that some faults will automatically fix themselves or could be treated before you even realize them.
• The implementation of new technologies that other members of staff may struggle to understand putting pressure on administrators to educate them.

While choosing to operate with a NOC can aid function, security, and financial elements, it is a complex facility that requires several elements to work in unison. Therefore, finding the right NOC provider is pivotal.

ExterNetworks provides world-class managed NOC services that also include uptime maintenance and support for administrators and technicians alike. Contact us to discover the possibilities today.