An innovative network "manager of managers" feature has just been added to a new web portal system installed by Lockheed Martin in the Pentagon for network operators and users.

The Pentagon's Network Information System (NIS) Web Portal developed by Lockheed Martin Information Technology became fully operational in October 2002. It serves technical personnel from the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense and other special agencies who manage and monitor the myriad of computer networks in the world's largest office building.

NIS provides highly secure, single sign-on access to applications that provide Domain Name System lookup, network performance utilization, mail, web browser capabilities and other features. When accessing NIS, users can monitor system trends, access a document library, manage electronic timecard information and perform other similar tasks. A special feature has also been installed for the Air Force that allows operators to monitor core service data for all users on the network.

Lockheed Martin Program Manager Clayton Crosby said the new feature "takes NIS from being a good information portal system to being a great network management tool. Operators can now use NIS to work interactively with live data across the network, integrating a full suite of management tools that are now in use."

Utilizing technology that is based on Micromuse's Netcool(R) software, NIS monitors the status and availability of IT systems. Additionally, the Netcool-based solution allows operations staff to quickly and easily access NIS information through a common web interface and produce reports in real time. The web interface permits a variety of computer systems, from X- Terminals to PCs, to access NIS without the need to load client software.

The U.S. Army's Information Technology Agency is the Department of Defense executive agent for network operations and support of the building's network infrastructure. Nearly 150 network operators and 1,000 users supported by the agency use the new NIS portal to access a variety of applications. The Lockheed Martin team has supported the Army agency's Pentagon operations since November 2000.

Lockheed Martin's capabilities in information technology range from basic infrastructure support to the architectural design, integration and implementation of complex mission critical applications and network centric systems. The corporation's 30,000-plus IT professionals support more than 2,000 government and commercial field locations in the United States and abroad.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced-technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's core businesses are systems integration, space, aeronautics and technology services. Employing approximately 125,000 people worldwide, Lockheed Martin had 2002 sales of $26.6 billion.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin