Common ISO/RTO Architecture

1. Common ISO/RTO Architecture ISO/RTO Information Technology Committee Walter A. Pfuntner, Jr, PhD, PE Chairman, ITC Architecture Working Group {wpfuntner@nyiso.com}

2. Common ISO/RTO Architecture Information Technology Committee • Common Architecture • Assumes similar business drivers • Use of identical components and sub-systems • Could not develop consensus on a component level • Consensus on a technology level was possible • Developed a Reference Architecture

3. The Reference Architecture Information Technology Committee • What is it? • A high-level pictorial representation of an ideal technology state • A representation of the components and their inter-relations making up an ISO/RTO IT system • Covers 6 areas of interest (domains) • Security, Application, Data, Infrastructure, Platform, Redundancy • Input from several ISOs • AESO, CAISO, ERCOT, IMO, ISONE, MISO, NYISO, PJM, SPP

4. Reference Architecture Benefits Information Technology Committee • Benefits of a Reference Architecture • Unified voice of ISO/RTO for vendors, customers and regulators re: • A peer reviewed architecture • Best practices based on experience • Clarify expectations for vendors • Provide a jumpstart for ISO/RTOs without an Enterprise Architecture Plan

5. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • 6 domains • Platform • Infrastructure • Application / Integration • Data • Security • Redundancy

7. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Security • The Security Domain identifies the hardware, software and protocols that facilitate appropriate access to information while ensuring integrity and availability. • Firewall • Cisco, Nortel, Nokia • Anti-virus • Trend Micro Officescan, Sophos, McAfee • Federated Identity • RSA • Directory Services • iPlanet LDAP, Microsoft Active Directory

8. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Application • The Application / Integration Domain identifies key Commercial Off-the-Shelf software, infrastructure software, and custom designed software. It also highlights key intra- and inter-ISO integration software and protocols. • Application Servers • Microsoft IIS, BEA Weblogic • Web Servers • Microsoft IIS, Apache • EAI Busses • TIBCO, Vitria

9. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Data • The Data Domain identifies key data related technologies to be used by an ISO/RTO. Database, Data Warehousing and data manipulation products and protocols are featured. The information lifecycle is highlighted as well. • Transactional Data Stores • Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server • Historical Data Stores • Oracle, PI • Query Interfaces • Crystal Reports, Oracle Discoverer, Business Objects

10. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Infrastructure • The Infrastructure Domain provides for all aspects of the communications infrastructure for a distributed computing environment. This includes logical elements, physical hardware components, carrier services and protocols. The scope of the architecture includes voice, data, and video services. • Routers/Switches • CISCO • PBX • Nortel, Siemens • SAN Switches • Brocade, McData

11. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Platform • The Platform Domain defines the technical computing components of the infrastructure including client and server hardware platforms, operating systems, local and networked storage systems, and physical interfaces. • System Management • HP OpenView, IBM Netview, BMC Patrol • Enterprise Backup • IBM Magstar, StorageTek • Blade Servers • IBM, Sun, HP

12. Reference Architecture Domains Information Technology Committee • Redundancy and Failover • The Redundancy domain identifies the level of redundancy for various types of systems and data. • Level of Redundancy • Standard, High, Ultra, Continuous • Environments Supported • Production, Staging, QA, Development, Training • Systems • EMS, Market, Back Office

13. ISO/RTO Inventories Information Technology Committee • Cross-referenced with the ISO/RTO IT Inventory • Purpose / Benefits • The RA acts as a visual portal to the IT Inventory • Quickly identify common technologies across the ISO/RTOs • Document target environment for vendors • On a need-to-know basis, identify specific products/technologies/versions in use • Provide a sanity check for architecture activities at each ISO/RTO

14. Next Steps Information Technology Committee • Develop material for a variety of audiences • Regulators & Public Utility Commissions • Software/Hardware vendors & consultants • Market Participants and Business Partners • Provide an easy way for ISO/RTOs to maintain the inventory online (web based) • Provide the ability to query the Reference Architecture / Inventory to provide varying levels of detail