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Telecom operations typically have sophisticated network and systems management (NSM) software in place to monitor their servers, workstations and routers. Such systems often utilize Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) as a means of transmitting and receiving network monitoring information. Great if you run only modern equipment. But what about the other elements that impact the health of a network such as power sources, legacy PBXs, batteries, legacy telecom equipment that don’t recognize SNMP, or environmental factors such as temperature, water and humidity. If you don’t address these elements, they can exert a significant toll on downtime. This was the case at the Matanuska Telephone Association – a phone company, cellular provider and Internet Service Provider (ISP) operating in the vicinity of Palmer, Alaska (about 45 miles north of Anchorage). Matanuska’s network spans an area of 10,000 square miles. While the backbone and central office were modern, many last-mile telecom huts on the periphery contained legacy equipment and non SNMP-enabled batteries that could not be centrally monitored.
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