Organization of the network and system infrastructure of the local Internet operator – PUQ

Organization of the network and system infrastructure of the local Internet operator (ISP)

Use-case

Our client is a company with a network and system infrastructure. The client provides internet operator (ISP) services to clients in a medium-sized city.

The client came to us with a problem consisting in increasing difficulties in managing the network infrastructure of his own radio and fiber-optic network. Additionally, the client had difficulties with the ongoing management of receivables and timely collection of receivables as well as the automation of the management of activation and deactivation of services for their own clients.

This resulted in large-scale complaints and began to translate into a problem with resignation from customer services. The financial outlay for the incompetent IT department was too high. In total, with the burden of the COVID19 pandemic, the customer was threatened with bankruptcy.

The PUQ company has specialists who have extensive experience in managing the ISP infrastructure, which helped a lot in solving the client’s problem.

How did it look in practice

As we have experience in all the required areas, we proposed the following procedure to the client:

1 step

Detailed analysis of the situation

We have seen the problem and assessed its magnitude.

We have made a detailed map of the fiber and radio infrastructure.
We have gained administrative access to each device or server.
We have inventoried the network and server-system hardware.
We are familiar with the client's service providers.

2 step

Design stage

We designed and planned changes and modernization.

The main task was to maximize the automation and reliability of the entire network and server infrastructure.
We also strived to optimize maintenance costs along with improving the quality of services provided to subscribers.

3 krok

Implementation stage

The planned changes are in progress.

The network infrastructure has been prepared.
Network segmentation into logical terrain areas was introduced, along with the separation of client traffic and traffic to be managed.
Only Radius server authentication method implemented.

Redundant PPPoE servers built for centralized management of subscriber services (including service termination).

4 step

Configuration and tests

We have started the modernization of the server infrastructure.

We have built a redundant virtualization cluster on the hardware provided by the client.
We have implemented an LMS system for managing clients / tariffs / invoices, the system works with PPPoE servers for automatic termination of the service with recovery exclusions.
We have implemented a server for collecting and storing logs. Pursuant to Polish law, each operator is required to store customer logs for 12 months.
We have implemented a network and server infrastructure monitoring system with automatic notification of failures and events.
We have implemented a Radius server for centrally managing login to network devices.

5 step

Systems and data migration

We optimized the service providers.

We have allocated 2 independent internet links with BGP protocol.
We have implemented a television service from Korbank, which enables the provision of television over the radio network.

6 step

Customer training

During and after all the works were completed, the client was regularly trained on the use of the new IT infrastructure.

After successive implementation and modernization, we covered the client with our ongoing support. Thus, the client optimized IT expenses. Also, using the implemented LMS system, the client automated the process of sending invoices and ensuring the timeliness of their payments. In summary, thanks to the cooperation with PUQ, the client gained time to focus on business development: acquiring customers and expanding his own company.