Network Operations Center opens to handle satellite bandwidth

Artel recently opened a network operations center (NOC) to handle the massive amount of voice, full motion video and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance data the company is responsible for transporting across the Global Information Grid for Defense Department and federal government customers.

Artel is the largest provider of commercial satellite bandwidth to DOD, according to the company, which needed a new facility to manage and monitor over 5 gigahertz of satellite bandwidth across 31 satellite teleports. Additionally, with the opening of the network operation center, Artel now has full management and control over its global MPLS (multiprotocol label switching)-based, high-bandwidth fiber-optic network.The NOC and MPLS network are compliant with DOD government security requirements, says Artel.

The NOC is located in Herndon, VA. The key feature of the NOC watch floor is the state-of-the-art 26 x 5.5-foot video wall that's made of LED monitors tied into video processing equipment that allows it to become one seamless image that can be divided based on the needs of operations center.  The video wall is used to show network monitoring tools, network diagrams, and maps of network sites.