Table of Contents:                                                                                                                                 Page

         1.  Purpose ............................................................................................................................................ 1

         2.  Description ....................................................................................................................................... 1

         3.  Data Products ................................................................................................................................... 2

         4.  Organizational Responsibility .............................................................................................................. 2

         *In implementing this chapter, negotiations between the NWS and the National Weather Service Employees Organization have been completed.  The generic set of proposals for implementing WSOM issuances involving new or modified products and/or services apply.  Please inform the steward assigned to your office about this new chapter.

1.           Purpose.  This chapter provides an overview of the operation and management of the telecommunications associated with the Automation of Field Operations and Services (AFOS) network.

2.           Description.  AFOS is the primary internal data distribution network of the National Weather Service (NWS).  It is used to interconnect NWS field offices and to distribute centrally produced forecast products (graphics, grid point data, etc.) from the National Meteorological Center to NWS field offices.

The AFOS network is a nationwide packet data network that interconnects the AFOS data-handling computers at over 200 AFOS- equipped NWS offices.  The network consists of four Regional Distribution Circuits (RDC) totalling approximately 50 dedicated telecommunications circuits that interconnect Weather Service Forecast Offices (WSFO) and national centers.  Each of the WSFOs provides network connectivity and data flow to Weather Service Offices (WSO) and River Forecast Centers in its area via approximately 138 dedicated point-to-point State Distribution Circuits (SDC).  The Systems Monitoring and Coordination Center (SSMC) interconnects with, and performs a data relay function between, all RDCs.  The SMCC also monitors network operations and ensures the continuous flow of weather data and products on the AFOS network.

Each WSFO and most WSOs have an AFOS computer system that interfaces to the AFOS communications network and supports a local data base and on-site user workstations.  Data and forecast products originating at any of these AFOS-equipped sites are available on the AFOS network and can be stored and displayed at other AFOS-equipped sites.

In addition to AFOS-equipped offices, smaller NWS offices [referred to as Remote Terminals to AFOS (RTA) sites], which have no AFOS equipment, connect to AFOS WSFOs and WSOs by separate dedicated point-to-point circuits referred to as "RTA links."  These RTA sites are capable of a limited exchange of alphanumeric products with the associated AFOS-equipped office, however, they do not have the capability to display graphics.

The AFOS RDCs operate at 9.6-Kbps and the SDC and RTA circuits operate at 4.8-Kbps.  The AFOS system is scheduled to be replaced in the mid-1990's by the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System.

3.           Data Products.  Policies regarding all products that are transmitted on AFOS are monitored and managed by the AFOS Data Review Group (DRG).  Any requests to add, delete, or change the established set of products that are transmitted on the AFOS system are governed by the DRG.

4.           Organizational Responsibility.  The Telecommunications and Dissemination Branch of the Systems Integration Division, Office of Systems Operations, has the responsibility for the following:

              a.  acquiring and managing all commercial dedicated and dial circuits that are part of the AFOS network,

              b.  coordinating service restoration with field offices and the SMCC,

              c.  providing technical review and evaluation of proposed changes to the AFOS telecommunications network, and

              d.  providing financial management over all dedicated and dial circuits that constitute the AFOS network.

The Operations Plans and Change Management Branch of the Systems Integration Division, Office of Systems Operations, has the responsibility for establishing and managing the AFOS configuration management process.  When necessary, each regional Systems Operations Division notifies NWS Headquarters, through the Configuration Management process, of any changes that affect AFOS telecommunications configurations.

The SMCC of the Systems Operations Center has the responsibility for maintaining the real-time operational integrity of the AFOS network.  The SMCC, located in Silver Spring, Maryland, also maintains an on-line data base of approximately the last 30 days of all network traffic.