NOOR Newsletter - July 2004

	GPRS-MPLS Connectivity

	Have you ever wondered how to put an ATM machine online when copper lines are not available or have you ever questioned the feasibility of having a copper line to connect, for example an ATM, for one month or less? The solution is having a wireless carrier. This solution depends on integrating GPRS core with MPLS core network, while dedicating a gateway in each side for data transfer between the wireless carrier and the MPLS provider networks. The solution is too flexible as customers, in coordination with the technical team of the MPLS provider, can change LAN IP addresses in any site without any GPRS carrier intervention. However, the MPLS service provider must offer 24/7 customer support and installations, alleviating the headache of dealing with TE, GPRS carrier, and modem vendors. The service provider must also take maximum care of customer's data security. There are limited technical problems to the wireless connectivity with GPRS technology, as site outages would be limited to the down times of the GPRS in specific regions, which affects mobile users as well. This technology could be used in banking, cruises, desert locations of oil companies, beach ATMs and in fairs and festivals.

As NOOR continues to offer superb reliable services to the most professional customers in the region, in this issue of our newsletter, we interview Mr. Waleed Abdel Aziz Mohamed, from Jotun.

Q. How did you first hear about NOOR?
A. I heard about NOOR since 2000 through advertisement. From the very start, we felt that NOOR is a prestigious and capable data carrier.

Q. Can you describe Jotun's business operations in brief?
A. Jotun has three branches, Cairo, Alexandria & Ismailia. We use ERP & Lotus Domino applications, connected through leased lines. We also communicate with Jotun external offices abroad. Our databases have the feature of replication. Those applications require stability and reliability from the service provider. It is vital to keep applications online all the time.

Q. Are you planning to deploy any new service from NOOR?
A. Yes, NOOR Connect Plus (MPLS VPN).

Q. What are the criteria by which Jotun chooses a service provider?
A. While we can not ignore the price factor, we look also for quality, reliability and support.

Q. Choosing NOOR rather than other service providers, you should have a reason behind that. Kindly advise it.
A. We have dealt with several service providers before, and NOOR makes an outstanding difference. Simply, NOOR sets a completely different standard.

Q. Being in constant contact with NOOR engineers, how would your rate them technically?
A. They are perfect! The best thing is that there's always someone who knows about our case history.

Q. How do you describe NOOR in a few words?
A. Quality, reliability and support. Other providers may have quality and reliability, but in terms of support, NOOR comes first, and I would defiantly recommend NOOR as the best service provider.

More on NOOR services and products? Please visit:

www.noor.net

HR development, education, and training, are some of the success tools NOOR utlilizes fully.

Three of NOOR engineers managed last month to pass their CCIE tests, and in our last issue of the newsletter we interviewed Hani Mostafa who passed his CCIE (#13536) in security.

This month, we proudly focus the light on Karim Abdel Moneim CCIE (#13630) in Routing & Switching.

Working for NOOR since January 2001, Karim says that his character seeks both creativity and challenge, and that is the reason he has been working in the telecommunications field for years. Karim says one can never get bored in this field, as you will be busy all the time following the new technologies introduced on daily basis.

Karim has many achievements but the most outstanding projects he worked on are the GPRS- MPLS connectivity project, and the managed MPLS-VPN (including managed internet access, managed firewall & managed IPsec services). As Karim successfully passed his exams and became CCIE #13630, he says that challenges motivate him. Working as R&D Executive Director at NOOR, Karim's current short-term goal is to continue driving successful projects, while his long-term goal is enhancing his skills with new technologies.