The Network Operations Center (NOC) recently purchased 5 large screen flat panel TVs. They then hung them high on the walls so they can easily be seen in the office.

Each of the TVs monitor a different aspect of the network. And, in theory, the NOC folks should be able to easily check the network for problems. However, there is no audible alarm for network problems. Instead, the NOC folks wait for someone to call and complain. And if someone does complain, the NOC folks can run over to the screens and verify that the network is down.

Some how, it doesn’t seem very practical.