PRSS ContentDepot Emergency Operations
GENERAL
The PRSS ContentDepot maintains a Backup Network Operations Center (BUNOC) that can be deployed should a situation render all or part of the primary Network Operations Center (NOC) inoperable. The goal is to maintain continuity of ContentDepot operations with as little disruption as possible for its users.
The BUNOC is being implemented in three phases. This is to allow us to immediately provide basic backup functions for all PRSS programs on Day One of full ContentDepot operations while we work to implement more expansive functionalities in the future.
Phase One implementation of the ContentDepot BUNOC will contain some differences from the primary NOC operations. These differences will be most noticeable in the streaming channel operations, as described below in the "Station Information" section.
If the PRSS switches to emergency operations via the BUNOC, stations and producers will be notified via email as well as via Basecamp that the BUNOC is active and that all ContentDepot users should immediately move into backup operations as described below.
STATION INFORMATION
The most important difference in BUNOC operations is that the streaming channels must be MANUALLY controlled at stations. The BUNOC will operate the stream channels in "CHANNEL" mode. When the BUNOC stream carrier is active, station streaming decoders (SR2000pro) will be commanded into channel mode within a few minutes. This will enable local control on the decoders as well as the channel guide feature contained in the decoders. This is different than the emergency decoder 'tuning' operations many stations have rehearsed, although decoders in that mode will work on the BUNOC carrier.
(NOTE: The stream carrier will be absent during the transfer of operations between the primary and backup NOCs. This could last as little as a few seconds to as much as many minutes. When the carrier is restored, the decoder will re-acquire the stream that it was last commanded to "take." However, no further real-time tune/detune commands will be sent.)
To be ready for BUNOC operations, stations must capture and keep the daily ContentDepot Operations Schedule that is sent every business day on both ContentDepot messaging and WebDACS. The "OPSKED" contains schedule data for a 14-day duration sorted by time and stream assignment. This is the schedule for stations to use to manually select program streams on their decoders. It will also include information about the I.P. stream addresses that you can use to manually set your decoders.
Other ContentDepot streaming services that would be unavailable during a Phase One deployment of the BUNOC are:
- Real-time program cues from the decoder relay outputs
- Content files from "Live with Subsequent File" programs
Any new streaming transmissions would be announced by email, and it would be a stations' responsibility to manually capture any of these additional transmissions as necessary.
In Phase One, file delivered content will NOT be available through the BUNOC. This functionality is a critical part of Phase Two, which is currently under construction.
PRODUCER INFORMATION
Live Programs
At the BUNOC, every stream has been assigned a pair of ISDN numbers. You have been provided with those numbers so that you can connect to the BUNOC in case the Primary NOC becomes unavailable. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONNECT TO THE BUNOC TO RESTORE YOUR CONTENT STREAM. If your program is on-air when the switch to the BUNOC is made, you should immediately connect to your assigned ISDN lines so that your program will be restored as quickly as possible. If your program has not yet started, you should plan to connect to your assigned ISDN lines approximately 15 minutes in advance of the start time of your program to establish continuity. Once your program is completed, you should disconnect your ISDN unit as soon as possible to free up the BUNOC unit for other use. We will be contacting you to coordinate a test of connections to the BUNOC.
File Programs
Further information regarding the procedures for producers to upload file-based content to the BUNOC will be provided as part of the implementation of Phase Two of BUNOC operations.