i-net - IPHCA's SIMIS Network

IPHCA’s SIMIS Network is designed around a centralized server located in Springfield, Illinois. The server is an IBM P570 running IBM Unix AIX V5.2. In its current configuration, the server can sustain up to 30 separate A/R databases with up to 1,500 users. The central server resides at a secure location that is temperature and humidity controlled. Nightly backups are performed Monday through Saturday, and each day these backup tapes are transported off site for disaster recovery purposes. A monthly archival backup is also performed, and all archives are stored in a safety deposit box of a local bank.

Each participating CHC connects to the i-net network’s Wide Area Network (WAN) through a fractional T1. The fractional T1 connects to IPHCA’s primary T1 trunk line, which terminates at the central server. The WAN infrastructure consists of one robust 3640 Cisco router and individual 1751 Cisco routers at the main location of each CHC. Beyond this line of demarcation, it is the responsibility of each member to connect any of their remote locations.

IPHCA has contracted with AT&T to design and maintain the i-net network WAN. The Managed Network Services contract provides remote telephone and on-site support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While IPHCA owns all of the equipment within the network, AT&T provides maintenance for the hardware.