W WW.INTELLIGENTUTILIT Y.COM /// SEPTEM BER/OCTOBER 2011
An axiom of effective solution deployment at this scale is that endpoint devices need to be essentially “plug and play.” This means newly deployed intelligent endpoint devices of many types are able to come online, connect and self-configure in a highly secure manner with minimal operations center and field personnel involvement. A properly designed, integrated NMS plays a critical, orchestrating role in this process. NMS solutions need to incorporate architectural and messaging approaches most appropriate to smart grid needs at this scale. For example, on a day-to-day basis, networks at this scale must allow for continuous, automatic reconfiguration in response to changing environments and external events. The NMS monitors the health, keeps track of topology and network element configuration in a highly efficient manner, using algorithms and messaging techniques that are optimized for the scale. When anomalies occur, the NMS must facilitate quick or real-time identification and isolation of problems, allowing an operator to use robust visualization methods to readily drill down to specific segments and elements for analysis and resolution.
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to consider include: • Is the application modular enough to
allow many different configurations to be supported in the future and/or on a region-by-region basis? • Is the NMS platform compliant with a
broad array of the relevant standards and is the provider expressly committed to future support of most widely embraced standards? • Does the provider have a broad and
deep experience delivering secure communications networks? Do they have a track record of supporting continuous innovation in the vendor ecosystem, such that they can deliver ongoing technology refresh over the lifecycle of the smart grid implementation?
The Need for Flexibility Utilities are concerned about assuring that they have preserved their options in ongoing technology selection, and have created a foundation upon which to build and smoothly evolve to future states. For smart grid networks, considerations for NMS future-proofing include the extent to which the network management system is architected in a layered and modular fashion to specifically support the needed flexibility. Best practice is to assure that the management of supporting networks is effectively decoupled from function-specific applications. Requirements
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Another important aspect of flexibility is the ability to effectively interface, where required, with a wide variety of existing legacy systems. For example, a utility may already have deployed a generalized network management system, a “manager of managers”, supporting enterprise IT across many business functions. A properly architected smart grid NMS will provide a robust choice of standards-based, application interface options to upstream
systems. This allows a utility to leverage certain existing system investments where it makes sense, and integrate optimally with enterprise operations, while not compromising on comprehensive management features specific to the smart grid network.
Security Compliance Network, device and overall system security are primary concerns for mission critical networks. NMS performs an important coordinating function in the overall security of smart grid networks, and is a key component of implementing the enterprise security policy. It typically provides a platform for authentication for users and devices and performs a key role in assuring NERC CIP compliance by providing interfaces to support utility-specific security and reporting requirements. Security considerations for NMS selection include, in general, the specific security protocols supported and emphasis on open standards, as well as incorporation of best practice methods. Some specific functional areas to think about include availability of secure, robust firmware update services for network elements and flexible VPN connection management.
A Future-Proof Evolution Path Utilities want to make the right decisions when it comes to network management systems. They want to know how they can effectively manage the network, supporting initial use cases while assuring that they have a platform that is sustainable and adaptable to meet future requirements. Utilities must consider the following: • Can this system adapt to support future
use cases and business cases?