International Satellite Communications System (ISCS) April 13, 2012 Transition to new Telecommunications Service for WMO RA-IV Users Robert Gillespie ISCS Program Manager NOAA s National Weather Service April 13, 2012 1
Objective To review and coordinate the upcoming transition from ISCS to new telecommunication services for the Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Network (RMTN). 2
Today s ISCS Broadcast Services 3
RA-IV Data Dissemination and Collection 4
Planned Service Transition (from Dec 16,2011 presentation) NWSTG / RTH Service From To By 1. Data Collection (Primary) File Transfer Protocol (FTP) via OPSnet Circuits FTP over Internet via Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL-VPN) Server April 2012 2. Data Dissemination (Primary) ISCS Satellite Broadcast GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) June 2012 3. Data Dissemination (Secondary) NWSTG Anonymous FTP Server GEONetcast Americas (GNC-A) Satellite Broadcast FY13 4. Data Collection (Secondary) Email Data Input Service (EDIS) for text products OPSnet via NY (optional) FY13 5
RTH Washington Data Collection Service Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) RTH Washington Data Collection Service: FTP files over the Internet through the Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) 6
RTH Washington Data Collection Service Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) New service: SSL-VPN FTP Replaces existing OPSnet circuits with Virtual Private Network transmission protocol over the Internet. Avoided large unanticipated cost increase for International circuits in FY12 and beyond, which could not be funded by the US Government. World Area Forecast System (WAFS) Workstation Vendor interface development: MORCOM and IES interface has been successfully demonstrated. GST and Meteo France workstation vendor interface demonstration is incomplete. WAFS Workstation Vendor implementation progress: MORCOM to commence installation the week of April 9, 2012 IES prepared to support site transition of Linux platforms in RA-IV GST and Meteo France: TBD 7
RTH Washington Data Collection Service Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) New service: SSL-VPN FTP US Government developed software interface available to RA-IV Member States at no cost. Named VPN-FTP Interface Demonstration Software (V-FIDS) Not to be installed on WAFS workstations without vendor consultation/assistance to assure no impact to UK Met Office verified WAFS software to meet ICAO standards Sites must request software to receive it; need to specify Windows or Linux implementation. Contact Robert.Gillespie@noaa.gov Requires experienced site personnel to install, configure and maintain. V-FIDS planned availability: April 20, 2012. Demonstration available during Hurricane Committee (HC) 34. NWS will not be available to support V-FIDS configuration, implementation or maintenance. 8
RTH Washington Data Collection Service Secure Socket Layer Virtual Private Network (SSL VPN) Site OPSnet/SSL VPN Transition Notes WMO RA-IV President was notified by NWS of framework and schedule for OPSnet transition, and official notification was sent to all RA-IV users by WMO Regional Office on April 2, 2012 Requested all sites verify and exercise the Email Data Input System [EDIS] backup collection service in preparation for OPSnet circuit termination. Explained OPSnet circuits could be disconnected without prior warning between April 13 May 13. Advised sites that experienced OPSnet circuit outage to use EDIS for transmitting products to the RTH until the SSL VPN interface is operational at their site. Stated SSL VPN interface will be the primary service, EDIS will be backup. Schedule Summary: April 4-12: Period for site to verify and exercise EDIS is operational April 13: Disconnect order for OPSnet circuits is submitted. April 13 May 13, 2012: OPSnet circuit disconnects will occur 9
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service: GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) 10
Understanding the ISCS Data Requirements ISCS => WAFS/OPMET + Other Global Products + RA-IV Bulletins Becomes WIFS => WAFS/OPMET GIFS => WAFS/OPMET + Other Global Products + RA-IV Bulletins A. Global Product Sets FAA / WAFS / ICAO NWS / WMO RA-IV 1. WAFS / OPMET aviation products X X 2. Other RA-IV Designated Global Products (e.g. Tsunami Warnings) X B. Regional Product Sets 1. RA-IV Regional Products (e.g. RADAR Mosaic Products) X OPSnet Operational Meteorological bulletins 11
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) History of Transition FAA: Summer 2010 notified US NWS it was moving away from satellite broadcast of WAFS/OPMET data, and would be implementing a file server service in its place. Summer of 2011, implemented the WAFS Internet File Service (WIFS) and requested all ISCS aviation service sites to transition to WIFS. WAFS Workstation Vendors were alerted to the opportunity to develop the WIFS interface to successfully transition their users from ISCS to provide the Internet based WIFS distribution method. 90% of RA-IV ISCS sites have a dual role for aviation Met services, and therefore have an obligation to implement the WIFS interface on their WAFS Workstations. NWS: ISCS broadcast could not be maintained without FAA participation. In Dec 2011, NWS announced its plan to implement a similar service for all RA-IV WMO sites, called the GTS Internet File Service (GIFS), for users to obtain all ISCS Broadcast products from secure Internet connection. 12
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) Common Characteristics of GIFS and WIFS Uses file servers and data pull technology Requires a reliable Internet connection for file transfer Similar file directory and file structure on the server Use the same interface protocol: Scripted wget interface Internet browser for manual interface Choice of automated (scripted) or manual (browser) download process Access restricted to Authorized User 13
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Services WIFS and GIFS: Unique Characteristics WIFS GIFS Service managed by FAA NWS Standards WMO, ICAO, FAA WMO, NWS Product baseline established by ICAO RA-IV Members Requirements Product accountability managed by FAA NWS Data Sets WAFS/ OPMET WAFS/OPMET, Other Global, RA-IV Regional Site Access Restricted to Aviation Users All RA-IV and more upon user request 14
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GTS Internet File Service (GIFS) GIFS Status GIFS in a staging environment for verification of software coding and operations. User Manual is in development, first draft to be completed April 30, 2012 Current schedule: April 8, 2012: Complete GIFS Application Development April 9-30, 2012: GIFS Operational Interface Development and Testing May 1-31, 2012: GIFS User Implementation June 30, 2012: ISCS Satellite broadcast ends, all sites fully transitioned to GIFS WAFS Workstation Vendor interface development: Vendors have confirmed that the same interface used for WIFS can be used for GIFS, with minor adjustments. Workstations may not permit simultaneous use of data from both WIFS and GIFS file servers due to duplicate product processing restrictions. Interface verification and testing scheduled for April 9-30, 2012 15
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GEONetCast-Americas (GNC-A) RTH Washington Data Dissemination (Backup) Service: GEONetCast-Americas (GNC-A) 16
RTH Washington Data Dissemination Service GEONetCast-Americas (GNC-A) ISCS broadcast over GeoNetCast-Americas (GNC-A) Identified as possible GIFS backup service for implementation in FY13 GNC-A is an operational satellite broadcast system currently serving RA-III and RA-IV Implementation is subject to availability of NWS funds in FY13. WAFS Workstation vendors will be provided information for interface development/verification. ISCS satellite ground station can be modified for GNC-A reception Additional information on GNC-A available at: http://www.geonetcastamericas.noaa.gov/ 17
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS Disposition of existing equipment: OPSnet router and VSAT equipment belong to the RA-IV Member States. OPSnet router can continue to service local networks. ISCS VSAT equipment can be modified to receive GNC-A broadcast. Impace to CMO Radar Mosaic production and distribution Radar sites should transition first to allow time for testing and evaluating system performance prior to the next hurricane season. 18
Other Dissemination Services Available Today Other RTH Washington Dissemination Services Available Today 19
Other Dissemination Services Available Today GNC-A Broadcast Sub-Channel Product Baseline Information Online: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/iscs/documents/alerts_120405.txt Alert channel- Baseline WMO WMC Washington http://www.nws.noaa.gov/iscs/documents/wmo-wmc- Washington_120405.txt EMWIN Broadcast Provides Observational Watches & Warnings Product Baseline Information Online: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/products%20from%20tg.txt 20
RA-IV Site Action Matrix Summary Action Info Date Event RTH-Washington Data Collection Service Transition (from OPSnet to SSL VPN) X NOW Contact Workstation Vendor to discuss your SSL VPN options X April 4-12 Sites to verify and exercise EDIS is operational X April 10 May 13 SSL VPN Interface installation period a. Workstation Vendor software implementation b. US Government V-FIDS interface software implementation X April 13 US Disconnect Order for OPSnet circuits submitted X April 13 May 13 OPSnet circuit disconnects will occur. If your circuit is disconnected, switch to EDIS. RTH-Washington Data Dissemination Service Transition (from ISCS Broadcast to GIFS) x NOW Contact Workstation Vendor to discuss GIFS/WIFS option X April 9-30 GIFS Operational Interface Development and Testing X May 1-31 GIFS User Interface Implementation X June 30 ISCS Satellite broadcast ends, all sites fully transitioned to GIFS 21
POINTS OF CONTACT US NWS: WAFS Workstations: Robert Gillespie ISCS Program Manager Robert.Gillespie@noaa.gov 301-713-9478 ext 140 Patrick Gillis ISCS Program Lead Patrick.Gillis@noaa.gov 301-713-1743 ext 104 Jennifer Lewis Senior International Analyst Jennifer.Lewis@noaa.gov 301-713-0645 ext 109 Caroline Corvington International Program Analyst Caroline.Corvington@noaa.gov 301-713-1790 ext 126 COROBOR Systems Erick Nuwendam sales@corobor.com 00 33 60327 6091 Global Science and Technology (GST) Paul Heppner Paul.Heppner@gst.com 301-474-9696 Info-Electronics System Inc. (IES) Wendy Borsuk Wendy@info-electronics.com 514-421-0767 ext 223 Meteo France Niels Oger niels.oger@meteo.fr (596) 596-63-89-75 MORCOM Manuel Ojeda mojeda@morcom.com 703-263-9305 22
QUESTIONS: QUESTIONS? 23