COPS Monitoring Bulletin Newsletter #29

Fault-tolerance can be defined as a machine, equipment, or complete system that has the ability to recover from a catastrophic failure without disrupting its operations. For instance, a fault-tolerant computer system relies on technologies such as disk mirroring, redundant controllers, and power supplies. The system would also include several redundant computer processors monitoring each other so that if one processor fails, the other(s) will continue processing by taking over the failed processor’s load, shutting down the failed CPU, and then creating an alert for help from technical experts. Fail-safe takes fault-tolerance to a whole new level. Fail-safe systems include multiple redundant fault-tolerant systems that are automatically activated toprovide full backup in case the primary systems fail completely or are destroyed. If one fault-tolerant system fails due to multiple faults, one of the redundant fault-tolerant systems take over. All of COPS Monitoring's "mission critical" systems, such as our monitoring platform, loadbalancers,MPowerwebandmobile services,API, SaaS, VPN, and email notification (etc.) all run in a fail-safe configuration with redundant backup systems both on-site and deployed in the world's largest, most advanced, and secure data centers in the world; the SuperNAP, located in Las Vegas (more info at supernap.com). To properly serve you and protect your customers, “ fault-tolerant ” just isn’t good enough. COPS believes that central station technology must be “ fail-safe ”. Quickly evolving technology and consumer demand isn’t just affecting an alarm company or systems integrator’s ability to understand, sell, install, and service equipment – it also has a significant impact on central stations. For decades, central station communication technology essentially consisted of four main components: phone lines, alarm receiver hardware, monitoring software platforms, and telephone systems. Today, the landscape is dramatically more complex; the explosion of IP-based alarm communications and real-time user (both dealer and subscriber) connectivity demands have been catalysts forcing even the most experienced monitoring providers to re-evaluate the way they look at systems reliability, data security, and user accessibility. A central station in today’s world must have the resources and expertise to make the necessary initial andconstant ongoing investments inalarmreceiving technology, broadbandconnectivity, telephony components, routers, firewalls, network switches, load balancers, and mainframes. In addition, theymust alsopossess the sophistication needed to understand andmanage Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Application Programming Interfaces (API), Software as a Service (SaaS), Autonomous Systems Numbers (ASNs), Domain Name System (DNS) management, and several other highly technical components. Sometimes, things are even more complex – throw in multiple active 24/7 central station locations, and now you must consider items like data propagation and replication, active load balancing, and real-time failover capabilities. COPS believes that standards are necessary for our industry, and works to maintain its many listings from independent agencies such as UL, FM, IQ, and CSAA Five-Diamond. Some central stations barely (if at all) meet the minimum standards. At COPS, we continually work to exceed these standards by addressing the infrastructure and security needs before ever-changing technology or market demand inevitably causes them to become obsolete. As an alarm dealer, you should expect your central station to not only progress with the technical demands of the marketplace, but anticipate them. COPS is setting new standards in central station technology by proactively addressing all of the items we mentioned in this article so far. Our recent investment (which totaled approximately $2,000,000) was not by any means “over the top” or “excessive” – nor will it be the last million dollar investment we make. The monitoring industry is evolving at a fast pace, and it certainly isn’t for the complacent or faint of heart; it requires dedication and passion. THE EVOLUTION OF CENT SuperNAP in Las Vegas, NV IN THE PAST TODAY's Technical DEMANDS ON CENTRAL STATIONS EXCEEDING Standards COPS is SETTING NEW STANDARDS