# Presentation: 043349

## NWS IT Web ConsolidationImpact on NWS Hydrology

- Diane Cooper
- 2007 HPM Conference – SR Breakout

**July 12, 2007**

## IT Web Consolidation

**What is it?**

- Establishes redundant web farms
- Allows NWS to load shed some services (pages/data) to a Contract Service Provider (Mirror-Image)
- Uses a streamlined networking method for offices to send data to the web farms (MPLS, multi-protocol label switching)
- Uses CR’s Content Management System (CMS) for creation of WebPages (Similar to the AHPS pages)

- A  National Reorganization and Modernization to the Way the NWS provides Web Services

## NWS IT WEB Consolidation

- Its fragmented, each Region operates an independent web server.
*	**So.....when the SR server goes down due to a Wire Cut, overloaded in hits, Hardware Crash....we and everyone we serve looses access to SR Products and Services!!!*
- The current system is on its last legs...it’s is not going to last much longer.
- The servers at a single farm cannot handle the current load.  With each event, the web traffic increases.
- 	For example on July 5th 2007 SR Servers alone received over 155 mil hits and served over 1.36 TB of data (only 25% of web logs accounted for)
- We are popular during Heightened Weather!!

**What’s Wrong with the our Current System??**

## Web Consolidation

**Why?**

- Distributed backup capabilities
- Three interchangeable web farms (one at SR, CR and HQ)
- _Web delivery more reliable!_
- More consistent look and feel
- Easier navigation and improved user experience
- Enhanced internal security
- Less chance of human error or internal attack
- Increased technical web support and expertise
- CRH/SRH/NWSH all know the system
- _Easier_ implementation of “innovative” ideas
- More process and work in design and testing phase, but easier to roll out to all sites

**Benefits**

## Web Consolidation

**Challenges**

- HUGE difference in way web development is done.
- 	Content Management System (CMS)
- Template based
- Offices will only be uploading data...scripts will reside on servers.
- Scripts/html pages go through a review process
- Goal is for all web pages to redundant farms
*	**	**Last count that was over 700,000 pages!!!*
- Implementation Plan still being identified....somewhat a fluid process.
- Disconnect between Inter-regional team’s authority and perceived authority.
- Tight deadlines....needs to be in place before our current system dies.

## NEW Web Structure

**Distributed Backup – 3 server farms**

- MPLS
- Cloud

**WFOs**

- Global  Load Balancers

*weather.gov*

*radar.weather.gov*

- NOAAPort

*forecast.weather.gov*

**Lots of redundancy!**

**Person links to NWS**
**WEB**

## NEW Web Structure

**Distributed Backup – web farm outage**

- MPLS
- Cloud

**WFOs**

**Person links to NWS**
**WEB**

- Global  Load Balancers

*weather.gov*

*radar.weather.gov*

- NOAAPort

*forecast.weather.gov*

- X

**SR farm goes down – web stays up!**

## Web Consolidation

**Distributed Backup – loss of NOAAPort**

- MPLS
- Cloud

**WFOs**

- Global  Load Balancers

*weather.gov*

*radar.weather.gov*

- NOAAPort

*forecast.weather.gov*

- X

**SR loses NOAAPort feed – backup feed from CRH!**

**Person links to NWS**
**WEB**

## Web Consolidation

- More consistent look and feel

- Wherever you go – get same user interface!

## Web Consolidation

- Enhanced internal security

- Uploading of data only from WFOs/RFCs
- Scripts go through review process before being uploaded to operational system
*	**Will decrease the number of inadvertent outages due to offices uploading scripts that have unknown/unintended impacts. *
- Development servers available for design, development, and testing

## IT Web Consolidation

**Easier Implementation of Innovative Ideas**

- Content Management System (similar to AHPS CMS)
- Web pages developed from predefined Templates ...do not need to be a web genius to design a new page.
- Takes away concern of 508 compliance.
- Many scripts and functionalities are already available for use in the CR CMS.
- Only data will be pushed to the servers...increases our speed for upload.
-  A  national web team will help design and test new scripts/templates and other functionality....goal is for a week turnaround for new scripts submitted by the field.
- Once new script is approved, can be quickly implemented at other offices.

## IT Web Consolidation

**What can you do to help make this a success?**

- Begin identifying the local Hydro pages that are not supported AHPS CMS
- These will all need to be ported to the CMS system .
- If you are not on the local office web team  be willing to work with them in this process.
- Be flexible to help establish common webpages.
- What templates and script functionality is not already available in the new CMS?

- Your Cooperation and patience will help to make this a Success!

## Who can I contact with Questions in SR?

- SR team consists of
- Paul Kirkwood (lead)
- Susan Beckwith
- Keith Stellman
- Leon Minton
- Sue Johnston
- Bernard Meisner
- Mario Valverde
- Diane Cooper