Opportunity for Partnership
Global Alert Resolution Network (GARNET)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center invites companies to license its Global Alert Resolution Network (GARNET), an enterprise software application capable of delivering emergency and time-sensitive alerts to affected individuals via a variety of communication channels. Alerts can be delivered within an organization to employees, or outside an organization to large pools of subscribers, such as organization and community members.
Ideal for commercial, academic and government communication plans, GARNET enables alert dissemination to multiple communication devices, including desktop computers (PCs and MACs), UNIX-based environments, cell phones, pagers, e-mail applications and personal digital assistants (PDAs). The software also offers plug-ins that enable organizations to integrate notification systems already in use, such as sirens or alarms, public address (PA) systems and closed circuit television (CCTV). Supporting both internal and external alerts, GARNET employs “push” technology to distribute emergency-related messages as well as “pull” technology to support commercial or non-emergency notifications to administrator-managed subscribers (e.g., customers or trading partners).
Benefits
Fast: Alerts are issued in near real-time to many users over multiple communication mediums, reaching a larger percentage of users faster than with individual systems.
Flexible: GARNET can support a wide variety of communication channels, including e-mail, cell phones, personal computers (PCs) and PDAs, and provides the flexibility to include other communication devices as they are developed and adopted.
Scalable: GARNET can support a growing base of users, both internal to an organization (behind a firewall) and external users or customers. The software can also operate from a low-end, simple-server setup to a clustered server system providing seamless failover and load balancing.
Cross-platform compatible: Written in Java, the software supports multiple platforms including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Linux and UNIX, enabling administrators to seamlessly incorporate the software with other IT systems.
Secure: Communication is secured using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), server push/client pull technologies and firewalls. Configuration also enables only authorized administrators to enter alerts over secured communication channels.
Unobtrusive: A high level of granularity in notification controls helps ensure that only affected personnel, users or customers are interrupted, helping to avoid confusion and maintain productivity among unaffected employees.
Simple: Implementation is straightforward through an online administration console. A simple-to-use interface enables administrators to tailor who is notified, what medium is used and how alerts are displayed.
Proven: The software has undergone extensive testing (both inside and outside a firewall) at two NASA facilities.
Affordable: The software can be hosted on an economical, single-server setup or on a redundant server system for improved reliability, meeting the needs of various customers and budgets.
ADA Compliant: Existing alert systems (e.g., fire alarms, PA systems, CCTV) can be integrated with the software to provide further communication options for hearing- or sight-impaired users. Fully compliant with Section 508 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act, the software provides full access to all individuals, regardless of handicap.
Applications
GARNET can be used by any organization needing a reliable, near-real-time delivery method for emergency alerts as well as other time-sensitive messages and announcements. Federal, state and local governments, as well as education and industry, can benefit from GARNET’s wide-range of alerting applications:
- Emergency alerts
- Fire or building evacuation notifications
- Computer virus attack alerts
- Severe weather warnings
- National security alerts
- Supply-chain alerts
- Trading-partner notifications
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) alerts such as out-of-stock notifications
- Stock trading alerts
- Facilities and IT alerts
- Network monitoring alerts
- Facility closing
- Road closing or construction
- News broadcasts
- Weather alerts
The heart of the simple-to-use GARNET system is a secure, Web browser–based interface. Authorized administrators enter alerts into the system. The administrator can select a severity level, message delivery method(s) and the group of affected users to whom the alert will be disseminated. The alert is then distributed to only those users, along with a link to further information such as suggested actions and related instructions. Alerts interrupt end-users’ work on desktop PCs, cell phones, PDAs and other communication devices, helping to ensure that the message is acknowledged.
Using push and pull technology to increase effectiveness
Desktop PCs have two methods of polling a server for new messages or alerts:
The PC can use software to poll the server at predetermined intervals, known as pull technology. The server can push messages to subscribed clients whenever they are generated. Because e-mail alerts using only pull technology have an inherent delay, they may result in potential hazards in true emergency situations. To increase the timeliness of alert delivery, the GARNET system employs both push and pull technologies. The server is configured to push alert messages to systems that are not behind a firewall. Systems that are behind a firewall poll the server at intervals to receive new alerts. These determinations are made during client software startup and login.
Securing alerts through a reliable system
GARNET provides secure alert-delivery channels using SSL, server push/client pull technologies and firewalls. Administrators are authorized before alerts can be sent through the GARNET system. The system provides separate zones for application servers and for replicated Web servers. Each zone is secured by a firewall. To send alerts, the Internet may refer to a center-wide network or to the Internet itself. Alert access can be limited to the network center to maximize security.
System requirements, configuration and maintenance
Typical installation on a server usually requires the following software*:
- Microsoft Advanced Server (operating system**)
- Apache Tomcat (application server)
- Microsoft IIS (Web server)
- Microsoft SQL Server (database)
∗∗GARNET supports Windows NT, 2000 and XP desktop clients as well as Mac OS, UNIX and Linux.
Minimum software configuration requires only a central server with a database; however hosting the software on redundant servers with failover and load-balancing capabilities helps improve system reliability.
Maintenance of the software is minimal; however, the system must be retested after any major operating system release and installation or when new versions of Java replace the current version.
Why GARNET is better
Historic and existing alert systems, such as fire alarms, PA systems and sirens, cannot provide the breadth and depth of information distributed by the GARNET system. Specifically, sound-based systems do not provide descriptive information about the alert and may not be adequate for communicating messages to the hearing impaired. Televisions can provide the detail but may not be turned on or tuned to the right channel to receive alerts. Using only PC or e-mail-based alerts does not account for users who are not at their desks or other e-mail systems. In addition, most existing alert systems cannot avoid interrupting people who may be unaffected by the information being distributed.
Unlike existing systems (or just one means of alert), the GARNET system disseminates timely messages through a wide range of devices, helping to reach a higher percentage of people in a shorter period of time. Unlike many other messaging systems, GARNET is pervasive, interrupting all applications on the user’s computer to deliver emergency notifications. In addition, GARNET contacts precisely selected people, helping to ensure that only affected personnel are interrupted.
For more information, contact NASA Goddard’s Office of Technology Transfer, (301) 286-2642, techtransfer@gsfc.nasa.gov.
Please mention that you read about it in Technology Innovation.
Inherently Conductive Polymers
NASA Kennedy Space Center seeks to license inherently conductive compositions (ICP) of matter and methods for the preparation of conductive compositions of matter with increased conductivity (U.S. Patent Nos.: 6,972,098; 6,676,617; 6,299,800; 6,059,999; and 5,968,417). Electrically conducting polymers are of great interest because of potential applications where they may replace metals and semimetals that require comparatively more energy in processing. ICPs have electrical conductivity properties similar to inorganic semiconductors and as a result, are able to discharge static before charges reach unsafe levels. A need existed for novel electrically conducting polymers with increased solubility, increased processability and that can be prepared from inexpensive materials.
NASA developed ICPs that are comprised of sulfonated lignin or lignosulfonate. Lignin is a principal constituent of the wood structure of higher plants, and ranks second to cellulose as the most abundant organic material. The sulfite process of the paper and wood-pulp industries yields a spent liquor that comprises sulfonated lignins (i.e. lignosulfonates) and are inexpensive polyaryl-sulfonic acids that are highly soluble in water.
Additionally, the NASA ICPs can be utilized as a Corrosion-Resistant Polyaniline Primer. The Primer provides corrosion resistance superior to current coatings on the market, and it can reduce the cost of replacing and repairing corroded materials. This primer can be applied to metals exposed to corrosive environments. It adheres to a wide range of bases and topcoats and protects against corrosion even when bare metal is exposed.
Options for Commercialization
This technology opportunity is part of the NASA Technology Transfer Program. The program seeks to stimulate development of commercial applications from NASA-developed technology. NASA seeks qualified companies to license and commercialize this technology.
Potential Commercial Uses
This technology is the focus of material science research due to its novel optical and electrical properties that can find applications in:
- Anti-static coatings, fabrics, and packaging
- EMI/RFI shielding
- Electro chromic “smart” windows
- Rechargeable Batteries
- OLEDs (organic light emitting displays)
- RFID
- Corrosion-resistant Coatings
For more information, contact NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Office of Technology Transfer, (321) 861-7158,
technology.transfer@ksc.nasa.gov.
Please mention that you read about it in Technology Innovation.
NASA Official: Janelle Turner • Web Design: Printing
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