# Presentation: 223914

## Common ISO/RTO Architecture

- ISO/RTO Information Technology Committee
- Walter A. Pfuntner, Jr, PhD, PE
- Chairman, ITC Architecture Working Group
*{wpfuntner@nyiso.com}*

## Common ISO/RTO Architecture

- Common Architecture
- Assumes similar business drivers
- Use of identical components and sub-systems
- Could not develop consensus on a component level
- Consensus on a technology level was possible
- Developed a Reference Architecture

- Information Technology Committee

## The Reference Architecture

- What is it?
- A high-level pictorial representation of an ideal technology state
- A representation of the components and their inter-relations making up an ISO/RTO IT system
- Covers 6 areas of interest (domains)
- Security, Application, Data, Infrastructure, Platform, Redundancy
- Input from several ISOs
- AESO, CAISO, ERCOT, IMO, ISONE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, SPP

- Information Technology Committee

## Benefits of a Reference Architecture
Unified voice of ISO/RTO for vendors, customers and regulators re: 
A peer reviewed architecture
Best practices based on experience
Clarify expectations for vendors
Provide a jumpstart for ISO/RTOs without an Enterprise Architecture Plan 

- Unified voice of ISO/RTO for vendors, customers and regulators re:
- A peer reviewed architecture
- Best practices based on experience
- Clarify expectations for vendors
- Provide a jumpstart for ISO/RTOs without an Enterprise Architecture Plan

- Information Technology Committee

- Reference Architecture Benefits

## Reference Architecture Domains

- 6 domains
- Platform
- Infrastructure
- Application / Integration
- Data
- Security
- Redundancy

- Information Technology Committee

## Slide 6

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Security
- The Security Domain identifies the hardware, software and protocols that facilitate appropriate access to information while ensuring integrity and availability.
- Firewall
- Cisco, Nortel, Nokia
- Anti-virus
- Trend Micro Officescan, Sophos, McAfee
- Federated Identity
- RSA
- Directory Services
- iPlanet LDAP, Microsoft Active Directory

- Information Technology Committee

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Application
- The Application / Integration Domain identifies key Commercial Off-the-Shelf software, infrastructure software, and custom designed software.  It also highlights key intra- and inter-ISO integration software and protocols.
- Application Servers
- Microsoft IIS, BEA Weblogic
- Web Servers
- Microsoft IIS, Apache
- EAI Busses
- TIBCO,  Vitria

- Information Technology Committee

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Data
- The Data Domain identifies key data related technologies to be used by an ISO/RTO.  Database, Data Warehousing and data manipulation products and protocols are featured.  The information lifecycle is highlighted as well.
- Transactional Data Stores
- Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server
- Historical Data Stores
- Oracle, PI
- Query Interfaces
- Crystal Reports, Oracle Discoverer, Business Objects

- Information Technology Committee

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Infrastructure
- The Infrastructure Domain provides for all aspects of the communications infrastructure for a distributed computing environment. This includes logical elements, physical hardware components, carrier services and protocols. The scope of the architecture includes voice, data, and video services.
- Routers/Switches
- CISCO
- PBX
- Nortel, Siemens
- SAN Switches
- Brocade, McData

- Information Technology Committee

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Platform
- The Platform Domain defines the technical computing components of the infrastructure including client and server hardware platforms, operating systems, local and networked storage systems, and physical interfaces.
- System Management
- HP OpenView, IBM Netview, BMC Patrol
- Enterprise Backup
- IBM Magstar, StorageTek
- Blade Servers
- IBM, Sun, HP

- Information Technology Committee

## Reference Architecture Domains

- Redundancy and Failover
- The Redundancy domain identifies the level of redundancy for various types of systems and data.
- Level of Redundancy
- Standard, High, Ultra, Continuous
- Environments Supported
- Production, Staging, QA, Development, Training
- Systems
- EMS, Market, Back Office

- Information Technology Committee

## ISO/RTO Inventories

- Cross-referenced with the ISO/RTO IT Inventory
- Purpose / Benefits
- The RA acts as a visual portal to the IT Inventory
- Quickly identify common technologies across the ISO/RTOs
- Document target environment for vendors
- On a need-to-know basis, identify specific products/technologies/versions in use
- Provide a sanity check for architecture activities at each ISO/RTO

- Information Technology Committee

## Next Steps

- Develop material for a variety of audiences
- Regulators & Public Utility Commissions
- Software/Hardware vendors & consultants
- Market Participants and Business Partners
- Provide an easy way for ISO/RTOs to maintain the inventory online (web based)
- Provide  the ability to query the Reference Architecture / Inventory to provide varying levels of detail

- Information Technology Committee