3. DEFINITION OF A NIC AND OF A NOC

A Network Information Center is an organization whose goal is to provide informational, administrative, and procedural support, primarily to users of its network and, secondarily, to users of the greater Internet and to other service agencies.

A Network Operations Center (NOC) is an organization whose goal is to oversee and maintain the daily operations of a network. Although sometimes one organization may fulfill the duties of both a NIC and a NOC, this document assumes NIC functions to be separate from NOC functions and addresses NIC functions only. Obviously, however, a NIC must work closely with its NOC to ensure users get the best service possible.