Seriously, though, there comes a point when you have to just trust in
something. The chances of one's phone and palm both going out at the same
time are fairly remote, I would expect.
Yes, paper has a 451F temperature problem, and palm pilots and cellphones
have an EMP problem (not to mention a battery recharger problem). But my
question wasn't about remembering the numbers. Assume some really experienced
people are doing this stuff and will make sure the numbers are there and
the message goes through, no matter what. Even if they have to send a
messenger on foot to relay the messages like the Roman Empire. I know
its difficult for engineers, but ignore the people behind the curtain.
Who would you want to be able to call to bootstrap the system back up?
Would you call CERT/CC? Or since they don't actually fix anything, is that
a wasted call?
Would you call Microsoft? Or since nothing critical on the Internet depends
on their products, is that a wasted call?
Nortan or Symantec? How about IANA/ICANN? CNN or AOL to say stay off the
infobahn, accident and workers in the road ahead?
Or instead of corporations, would you rather individuals be on the list?
Is there any consensus, rough or otherwise, of Internet-specific resources
the network operations community would like to have access? Ask now.
Yes, paper has a 451F temperature problem,
So go to your local newspaper and get some used aluminum press plates.
Then inscribe the numbers on the plates with a dull stylus like a metal
ball point pen.
Who would you want to be able to call to bootstrap the system back up?
Is there any consensus, rough or otherwise, of Internet-specific resources
the network operations community would like to have access? Ask now.
If the Internet matters then there should be regional coordination centers
that all ISPs should call. If the Internet doesn't matter then don't sweat
the details.
I think that a good start would be to phone all your peers and exchange
additional direct dial phone numbers, preferably on different CLECs. For
instance, get the home numbers or cell numbers of key people at the peer's
NOC and give them your numbers.
Next would be to call all your circuit providers and ask them what numbers
to call in the event of a problem on New Years Day. They will all have set
up some coordination facility to deal with such issues so talk them into
giving you some numbers that will reach the facility. If they won't give
you those numbers then find out who, within the telco, would be able to
contact the cordination facility and get access numbers for those people.
And contact the ARRL and ARES to find out what preparations are being made
for emergency radio communication during the Y2K rollover.
I spent the day today calling and e-mailing my CLECs/RBOCs peers and
providers. So far nobody has a plan to do much different on New Years
Eve/Day. Some people are planning on extra staff. Several people had no idea
if anyone in their company had given any thought to doing something
different. A few of the larger companies did have "special" numbers
setup for use for y2k problems/issues with their service. This
did give me a change to update phone numbers, and contact names.
Don't forget OFF-SITE backups in a Fire-Safe Facility of these important
paper/magnetic/electronic (palm pilot, mag tape, optical storage,...)
informations.