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What Is a Network Operations Center (NOC)?
A network operations center (NOC) is a centralized control center for monitoring and managing an organization’s local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or wide area network (WAN).
A NOC helps organizations that rely on IT infrastructure for daily operations to ensure network infrastructure functions reliably and operates at peak performance levels.
Key Takeaways
- A network operations center is a physical or virtual hub that allows IT staff to monitor, maintain, and optimize an organization’s LAN or WAN.
- The acronym NOC is pronounced like the English word “knock.”
- The primary goal of an NOC is to ensure network services can be accessed at any time of day and on any day of the week (24/7).
- An NOC’s other job is to minimize productivity loss by restoring network operations as quickly as possible if IT assets fail.
- In the past, NOCs were typically dedicated rooms filled with monitors. Today, NOCs are typically executive dashboards that can be accessed from anywhere with a network connection.
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How a Network Operations Center Works
A network operations center continuously monitors bandwidth, latency, error rates, and other KPIs for network operations. The goal is to detect and address anomalies proactively. In addition to reactive incident response, NOC team members are also responsible for proactive network maintenance measures.
Typically, NOC software apps will issue an alert when they detect an anomaly or deviation from normal network performance levels.
In response, NOC team members will follow a structured process that includes assessing the severity of the issue, prioritizing how quickly a response is required, and assigning the right sub-team to fix the problem. In the past, these actions were carried out manually. Today, it’s more likely that this process is carried out automatically by artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software.
Increasingly, NOC teams are using machine learning (ML) tools to automate specific tasks such as IP address tracking, configuration management, and security monitoring. ML tools are able to predict network congestion and adjust resources automatically to maintain optimal performance.
Types of NOCs
In the past, NOCs were centralized physical locations filled with monitors, each providing staff members with information about a key performance indicator (KPI).
Today, many NOCs are virtual (vNOCs), and NOC team members use executive dashboards instead of an array of physical monitors to monitor KPIs. vNOCs can significantly reduce the overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical space, dedicated equipment, and on-site staff.
Some Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom companies still maintain dedicated physical NOC facilities. Increasingly, however, physical NOCs are being replaced by cloud-based tools that allow NOC team members to work remotely.
In-House vs. Outsourced NOCs
Physical and virtual network operations centers can be managed in-house by members of an organization’s IT department or they can be outsourced to a third-party managed service provider (MSP) that specializes in network operations.
In many cases, organizations use a hybrid approach that combines in-house expertise with outsourced support. For example, a mid-size business might employ an IT specialist to handle basic network maintenance but partner with a managed service provider for 24/7 network monitoring and automated incident response.
| Feature | In-house NOCs | Outsourced NOCs |
|---|---|---|
| Expertise | Requires employees to have specialized areas of expertise. | MSP is responsible for providing access to specialized expertise. |
| Infrastructure | Requires a dedicated physical space and significant investments in hardware and software. | MSP is responsible for providing an executive dashboard as well as purchasing and maintaining network monitoring hardware and software. |
| Maintenance | The internal IT team is responsible for all maintenance and upgrades. | Provider handles all maintenance and upgrades. |
| Cost | Upfront and ongoing operational expenses can vary. | Predictable monthly/annual cost. |
| Security | The NOC team has direct control over all security measures. | Security measures depend on protocols the MSP puts in place. |
| Coverage | It can be challenging and expensive to staff an in-house NOC around the clock. | Coverage can often be purchased in tiers specified by different service level agreements (SLAs). |
| Compliance | In-house staff is directly responsible for compliance. | Provider may assist with compliance. |
NOC Components & Functions
The primary purpose of a network operations center is to ensure maximum uptime for an organization’s IT and communication systems. The basic components of a NOC are monitoring tools, backup and failover mechanisms, a ticketing system, and skilled personnel.
NOC teams typically consist of network analysts, network administrators, and network engineering support technicians with experience in network management.
An effective team has a variety of skill sets that can be used to navigate complex network environments, quickly identify issues, and implement effective solutions. In large organizations, security analysts and database administrators may also be part of the NOC team.
Network Operations Center Responsibilities
A network operations center has three important functions: network maintenance, event monitoring, and event resolution. To carry out these responsibilities, in-house NOC teams typically use special network management systems (NMSs) that can track network performance metrics in real time and automate routine maintenance tasks such as updating firmware.
In large organizations, NOC responsibilities may also include network capacity planning and backup and recovery for network configuration management (CM).
NOC vs. SOC, Data Center & Help Center
While network operations centers and security operations centers (SOCs) are both important components of an organization’s IT infrastructure, they each have distinct responsibilities.
An organization’s network operations center is responsible for maintaining network access and ensuring network health. In contrast, an organization’s security operations center is responsible for monitoring cyber threats and protecting the organization’s digital assets.
Integrated ticketing systems and instant messaging platforms can facilitate the smooth flow of information between an organization’s NOC and its security operations center to keep the organization’s digital assets safe while ensuring five nines uptime.
Integrated ticketing systems can also allow other data center stakeholders to escalate unresolved technical issues and, if necessary, route them to another help center.
NOC Best Practices
Establishing and maintaining a NOC requires careful planning.
Best practices include:
- Establishing clear goals and performance metrics to guide the selection of monitoring tools.
- Developing standardized protocols for incident detection, escalation, resolution, and documentation.
- Conducting regular performance audits to help assess the effectiveness of the NOC and identify areas for improvement.
Network Operations Center Pros & Cons
Physical NOCs located in-house still have important benefits, but they are gradually being replaced by virtual NOCs that can be managed remotely.
Here are some of the pros and cons of maintaining a physical NOC in-house:
Pros
- In-house NOCs provide full control over monitoring setup and incident response processes
- Having an NOC team in one location can foster better communication, teamwork, and knowledge sharing
- In-house NOCs can be tightly integrated with other on-site IT and operational systems (OSs)
Cons
- Physical NOCs are more difficult to scale than vNOCs
- Ensuring round-the-clock coverage for an in-house NOC can be challenging and expensive
- Physical NOCs are tied to a specific geographic location and vulnerable to disruptions caused by natural disasters or power outages
The Bottom Line
Network operations centers, by definition, are centralized locations that network operations staff members use to monitor and manage an organization’s local area network and/or wide area network.
In the past, most NOCs were physical rooms that used monitors to display individual KPIs discretely. Today, many organizations have transitioned to virtual NOCs that aggregate KPIs in a single executive dashboard. This approach allows teams to oversee network performance in a more holistic manner and address problems in context.
