International Satellite Communication System – ISCS Systems Transition and STAR 4 Workstation Replacements IMPLEMENTATION - COORDINATION MEETING ON THE GTS AND ISS IN RA V WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND DECEMBER 2003 Fred Branski U.S. National Weather Service Team Leader for Data Management RTH Washington Focal Point

December 8, Overview ISCS System ISCS System ISCS Deployment Goals ISCS Deployment Goals Composition of ISCS Composition of ISCS Plan for upgrade of VSAT and Ground Systems Plan for upgrade of VSAT and Ground Systems Important Dates Important Dates Back-up Back-up Benefits to Common Workstation Benefits to Common Workstation Benefits of Two-Way System Benefits of Two-Way System USAs Primary Interests for the ISCS Transition USAs Primary Interests for the ISCS Transition

December 8, The International Satellite Communications System (ISCS) The US will continue to support ICAO and WMO requirements with the ISCS for World Area Forecast System (WAFS) and Regional Main Trunk Network (RMTN) dissemination and input (WMO). The US will continue to support ICAO and WMO requirements with the ISCS for World Area Forecast System (WAFS) and Regional Main Trunk Network (RMTN) dissemination and input (WMO). The global coverage will continue to span approximately from 65 degrees east longitude westward to 105 degrees east longitude (covering the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean). The global coverage will continue to span approximately from 65 degrees east longitude westward to 105 degrees east longitude (covering the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean). Coverage of the remainder of the world will continue to be supported by the United Kingdom through their satellite broadcast system called SADIS which primarily covers Europe, Asia and Africa as well as the Indian Ocean. Coverage of the remainder of the world will continue to be supported by the United Kingdom through their satellite broadcast system called SADIS which primarily covers Europe, Asia and Africa as well as the Indian Ocean.

December 8, ISCS Deployment Goals Replace X.25 network protocol with TCP/IP network protocol Replace X.25 network protocol with TCP/IP network protocol All site owned VSAT equipment remains the same All site owned VSAT equipment remains the same Additional interface equipment will be added to registered sites Additional interface equipment will be added to registered sites Phased transition from existing network to successor network with minimum site downtime Phased transition from existing network to successor network with minimum site downtime Dual operation of current and successor networks to reduce impact to users Dual operation of current and successor networks to reduce impact to users Extend system life with a technology refresh program to incorporate technology advancements for enhanced performance capabilities, as appropriate. Extend system life with a technology refresh program to incorporate technology advancements for enhanced performance capabilities, as appropriate.

December 8, ISCS Ground Equipment & Workstations Met station is not only a WAFS station Met station is not only a WAFS station Off the shelf technology in a single unit without the troublesome Memotech box Off the shelf technology in a single unit without the troublesome Memotech box Must have IP capability Must have IP capability Must have packet software Must have packet software Must have GRIB and BUFR code capability Must have GRIB and BUFR code capability Must support GRIB2 in the future Must support GRIB2 in the future

December 8, VSAT Upgrade for RA-V All registered sites upgraded to TCP/IP capable equipment by MCI WorldCom technicians Technicians only need access to the site – no resources required Technicians only need access to the site – no resources required Schedule available on the internet Schedule available on the internet All hardware upgrades expected to be completed by December 14 All hardware upgrades expected to be completed by December 14 Two-way sites were upgraded first followed by one-way sites Two-way sites were upgraded first followed by one-way sites MCI Project Manager - Rossanna Eaves MCI Project Manager - Rossanna Eaves NWS ISCS website: NWS ISCS website: –Advisory bulletins are posted –Work schedules with any delays or changes are posted

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December 8, Important Dates for Workstation Replacements July 2003 – NOAA vendor selected for workstations July 2003 – NOAA vendor selected for workstations July to December 2003 – VSAT ground equipment upgraded July to December 2003 – VSAT ground equipment upgraded July to December 2003 – New workstations must be installed and initial training completed July to December 2003 – New workstations must be installed and initial training completed January 1, 2004 – All workstations should be in place, functioning and capable of receiving and sending via TCP/IP January 1, 2004 – All workstations should be in place, functioning and capable of receiving and sending via TCP/IP ????? January to March 2004 ?????– Possible three month extension of X.25 transmission is being negotiated with MCI WorldCom ????? January to March 2004 ?????– Possible three month extension of X.25 transmission is being negotiated with MCI WorldCom –Monetary and licensing issues

December 8, Back up Reliable backup needed for all users Reliable backup needed for all users PCGRIDS can be used for model output PCGRIDS can be used for model output User should have reliable internet connection or alternative way to receive data such as a GTS landline connection User should have reliable internet connection or alternative way to receive data such as a GTS landline connection Data can be pulled (FTP and HTTP) from RTH Washington servers and those of other centers Data can be pulled (FTP and HTTP) from RTH Washington servers and those of other centers EMWIN can also be a backup EMWIN can also be a backup

December 8, Transmission Back up Alternate transmission to RTH Washington can be accomplished through several ways Alternate transmission to RTH Washington can be accomplished through several ways –Landline, GTS or AFTN –FTP via landline or internet –Web browser – –Dial in through a telecoms line, 12 or 24 Kb

December 8, New Workstations Replacements for STAR4 are all off-the-shelf workstations Replacements for STAR4 are all off-the-shelf workstations Have two-way capability Have two-way capability Should include maintenance package in price Should include maintenance package in price Should include means for upgrades to technology and software in at least the first year Should include means for upgrades to technology and software in at least the first year Contact NWS International Affairs if interested in more information or additional purchase possibilities Contact NWS International Affairs if interested in more information or additional purchase possibilities

December 8, Going Two-Way Possible after initial installation of ground equipment Possible after initial installation of ground equipment Requires changes in satellite dish feedhorn Requires changes in satellite dish feedhorn Requires changes in connecting hardware Requires changes in connecting hardware Will be at the expense of the site Will be at the expense of the site

December 8, Benefits of Two-Way Systems New workstations have the built in capacity to send and receive data New workstations have the built in capacity to send and receive data Increased data exchange and opportunities to form partnerships Increased data exchange and opportunities to form partnerships Potentially lower cost for a shared space segment Potentially lower cost for a shared space segment Increase data transmission speed, reliability and access among two-way users Increase data transmission speed, reliability and access among two-way users

December 8, USAs Primary Interests for the ISCS Transition USAs Primary Interests for the ISCS Transition Maintain the reliability of ISCS Maintain the reliability of ISCS Provide accurate and timely meteorological and hydrological data and products for all types of weather, water and climate needs – particularly flight planning Provide accurate and timely meteorological and hydrological data and products for all types of weather, water and climate needs – particularly flight planning Continue to provide send and receive capability in the ISCS Continue to provide send and receive capability in the ISCS Look for low cost savings through group purchases of workstations Look for low cost savings through group purchases of workstations Promote common system to facilitate maintenance and training throughout the ISCS Promote common system to facilitate maintenance and training throughout the ISCS