Problem with N/W

A network problem has been arisen due to the intrusion of certain viruses in our system. The virus is replicating rapidly into the complete networks and the servers have started behaving abnormally.

The virus attack seems to be spread in the complete network not only in our local area network but also in the VIdyut Bhawan and the remote regional locations like Hamirpur and Kunihar.

Another abnormal behaviour is creating dummy nodes which brings in the IP Address conflict amongst server machines bearing the direct IP address. The conflict keeps on coming even when you detach your node to the local area network as soon as you assign it.

The problem has been discussed with Mr.Anjan Das, Mr. Mohit Malkani of Zyxel in the presence of our local vendor Mr.Anil Sharma. The same problem was also discussed with the executive of Power Grid India Mr. Pradeep Asrani and the gist was further discussed with Mr. Shankar of Swift Mail India. Add Your Remarks

Using Open Source RDBMS : MySQL

MySQL is written in C and C++. The SQL parser uses yacc and a home-brewed lexer, sql_lex.cc. MySQL is one of the best RDBMS being used for developing web based software applications. It is currently the most popular open source database server in existence. On top of that, it is very commonly used in conjunction with PHP scripts to create powerful and dynamic server-side applications. It is an Open Source Relational SQL database management system.
There are 3 types of MySQL Server Compilations for Enterprise and Community users:
Standard: The MySQL-Standard binaries are recommended for most users, and include the InnoDB storage engine.
Max: (not MaxDB, which is a cooperation with SAP AG) is mysqld-max Extended MySQL Server. The MySQL-Max binaries include additional features that may not have been as extensively tested or are not required for general usage.
MySQL-Debug binaries: These have been compiled with extra debug information, and are not intended for production use, because the included debugging code may cause reduced performance.
Beginning with MySQL 5.1, MySQL AB has stopped providing these different package variants. There will only be one MySQL server package, which includes a mysqld binary with all functionality and storage engines enabled. Instead of providing a separate debug package, a server binary with extended debugging information is also included in the standard package.
MySQL is used in web applications and acts as the database component of the LAMP software stack. Its popularity for use with web applications is closely tied to the popularity of PHP, which is often combined with MySQL. Several popular and high-traffic web sites including Flickr, Facebook, Wikipedia, Google, Nokia, Auctionmarts and YouTube use MySQL for data storage and logging of user data.
MySQL has been criticized in the past for not supporting all the features of other popular and more expensive DataBase Management Systems. However, MySQL continues to improve with each release (currently version 5), and it has become widely popular with individuals and businesses of many different sizes.
MySQL works on many different system platforms, including AIX, BSDi, FreeBSD, HP-UX, i5/OS, Linux, Mac OS X, NetBSD, Novell NetWare, OpenBSD, OpenSolaris, eComStation, OS/2 Warp, QNX, IRIX, Solaris, Symbian, SunOS, SCO OpenServer, SCO UnixWare, Sanos, Tru64 and Microsoft Windows. A port of MySQL to OpenVMS is also available
Before you begin with MySQL it will be an added advantage if you posses the basic knowledge and information on PHP and HTML Scripts. Add Your Remarks

Values Delivered

With the end of first financial year with the Decision Support System, its time to check the values delivered by the project.

1. All Real time data was successfully downloaded automatically from the respective sources.

2. The relevant data needed was extracted from the downloaded data and stored in the database for further analysis and reporting.

3. Reports as needed by various users and consumers were prepared and sent to the respective beneficiaries (without delay).

4. The public domain data was put on the website hosted at our own server to be accessed by the remotely located end user.

Other distinctive features / accomplishments of the project:

1. All the downloads of the required data from various sources (normally from the websites of NRLDC and NREB) were automatic and no manual intervention was required.

2. Instantaneous updation of data and online monitoring of this data through http://hpsldc.org.

3. As soon as the requisite data is available, many reports get generated automatically without any delay. Add Your Remarks

Processes of Re-Engineering

The strategy adopted for re-engineering the processes, with the use of ICT, in consultation with the stakeholders. The various processes involved (for exampling downloading real time data from NRLDC & NREB website, updation of revisions, etc. etc.) were automated making it possible to monitor all the data with as less human intervention as possible.

A Database was created and configured to store the large amounts of data for its real time analysis as well as its use on any later date.

A GUI was created (using Visual Basic) for various reports (routine and MIS).

The information dissemination to various categories of the users was done through the website http://www.hpsldc.org) hosted at our own web server at SLDC. Add Your Remarks

DSS Changes Archiving Trends

Our DSS Initiative Changes the Data Archiving Trends as situation before the initiative was quite tedious to control. A large amount of real time data was available from various sources and this needed to be compiled and analysed in a user friendly manner- on real time basis – to efficiently analyse and plan the transaction of Power with other states in the Northern Region as well as within the state.

Due to the high volume of this data, both static as well as real time, the analysis and accounting of the Power transactions was not only error prone but a large amount of data was not being processed, as it was almost impossible to do so manually. Even the amount of work which was being done consumed a lot of human and other resources.

For want of a database management tool, the past data was lost and there was no way to extract historical data, even if it was saved somewhere. Add Your Remarks

HPSLDC Website : Brief Overview

The HPSLDC Website is interactive and is divided into two clear compartments – one for the general public, where anyone can access the information in the public domain, and the other requiring an authorized access to information.

The data is available online and real time on the website for public at large and the authorized users. For example any category of consumer can update himself about the Demand and Availability of Power for the next day. Also what has happened on the previous day can be accessed seamlessly and transparently.

The website has been designed in a simple manner with a focus on content. Keeping in mind the nature of the data and the importance of time to the end user, the use of heavy graphics, and animations, has been avoided.

Synchronization of elements and ease of use has been the prime focus while designing the website. The dynamic nature of data makes it imperative that the latest data is available on the website. Therefore the real time data is automatically updated every fifty seconds, and reports and other static data is manually updated as per the requirement (at least once a day before 12:00 noon). Add Your Remarks

Outline of the Functionalities

To access the DSS (Shakti), double-click on the SLDC HP icon on your Windows Desktop. A welcome screen as shown in the figure below will appear. This screen will stay for some time, but can be made to go away by clicking on the window.

You will be prompted to log in. Enter the User name and password in the window to continue.

User Name : ******
Password : ******
Server : ******

A window will appear on a successful log in. Click on Main in the menu bar and a drop down menu will appear. Click on financial year to choose the year applicable.

On clicking financial year a window as shown below will appear in which the current financial year can be chosen.

The following screen will appear. The following things can be seen in the screen.

1. Date and Revision No. of Drawal Schedule in force at the moment.

2. Drawal Schedule – Clicking on the button will take you to another screen where various revisions for the same day or previous days can be viewed.

3. Entitlement Schedules – Clicking on the button will take you to another screen where entitlement for the same day or previous days can be viewed.

4. Implemented Schedules – Clicking on the button will take you to a screen where the latest available Implemented schedules can be viewed.

5. GoHP Share Entitlement – Clicking on the button will take you to a different screen where GoHP entitlement in various projects can be calculated and viewed.

6. REA Comparison – Clicking on the button will take you to a different screen where GoHP share from various projects as reflected in the Implemented Schedule and All Transaction (Implemented) schedule are compared and displayed.

7. Day Ahead Schedule – Clicking on the button displays the day ahead for the current day and the previous days schedules can also be viewed.

Thus by using “Shakti” automation of the downloading, converting and report creation process has been facilitated, which in turn has made it convenient for the end user to focus on the important task of decision making and let the ICT handle the routine and error prone task of handling and processing the large amount of data. Add Your Remarks

Objective Targeted and Achieved

Output targeted: Automation of the processes to download /capture the data from the respective sources (main source: website of NRLDC and NREB & online data from the generating stations).

Objective achieved: Modules were developed to automate the process of download, and capture of the relevant data from the respective source.

Output targeted: Processing and analyzing the data

Objective achieved: This was achieved through automatic posting of the required data in the database for further processing and analysing. All the required reports (routine and MIS) were generated as per the requirement e.g. day-ahead schedule (frequency daily), Free and GoHP Power availability (frequency daily) Energy accounting reports (frequency monthly) etc. etc

Output targeted: Keeping the mind the end user of the software, it was desired that the software be easy to use (user friendly).

Objective achieved: A user friendly interface was developed to make the user experience as easy as possible.

Output targeted: Online presentation of the data captured and processed by Shakti. For example electrical power of about 2086 Million Units worth Rs. 1500 Cr. Transacted online in respect of Govt. of HP and neighbouring states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Objective achieved: The data was put on the public domain through a Website. Add Your Remarks

DSS Shakti : An Overview

The manual capturing and processing of all the required data (online and off line modes from various sources) was almost impossible. When done manually, downloading and analyzing even a small amount of data was a cumbersome process. To further compound to the problem a large amount of data was available at random time points, and it was not possible to humanly track it all the time.

This data was also not available in the required form and to manually convert it into a usable form involved a lot effort on the part of the real time operators, who were already overburdened with the job of ensuring the smooth and safe operation of the Power Grid.

By the use of Shakti, the time taken to download and prepare the required reports was brought down to a minimum and with the least human effort. As soon as the data was available online, the software automatically downloads it, converts and stores it in the database in the required formats. The software also gives an audio alarm to the user to inform him that the data is ready and prepared for use.

Thus, by the use of Shakti, major bottlenecks (large amount of data, unusable formats, random time points, etc.) were removed and efficient decision making was facilitated. All stake holders, who were earlier unaware of the transactions till the reports had been prepared and compiled, can now access the data in real time. Add Your Remarks

Real Time Data

The biggest challenge of for the sensitive project Shakti at SLDC is capturing of real time data on various points. The Real Time and other required information is available online to all the stakeholders and beneficiaries.

HPSEB transaction with various constituents of NRPC are being processed and monitored by the use of “Shakti” software. For example, in the last six months 2086 Million Units of energy worth Rs. 1500 Cr and involving the processing and analysis of more than 27 crore records in respect of Government of Himachal Pradesh were transacted/ dispatched to the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi.

Instantaneous processing of all the required transactions. As the updation and processing of the transaction is real time, therefore there are no time lags or delays in service outcomes.

Online information was put on the public domain of HPSLDC website (http://www.hpsldc.org) for its beneficiaries/stakeholders. Also, information on day ahead basis with respect to the demand and supply position in the state was put on the website for its usage by the consumers of the state. Add Your Remarks

Strategy adopted for DSS Project

To develop software to meet the aforementioned needs, the software (Shakti) was developed by HPSEB in association with DOEACC with three basic objectives:

1.Online downloading of all the relevant data from various sources (NRLDC & NRPC website) on the Internet.

2.Extraction of the relevant information from the data and its storage in the database management tool i.e. ORACLE in this case.

3.Also capturing of data from various online sources viz bilaterals and within the state.

4.Generation of the reports in the required formats to help in the decision making process & issuance of instructions w.r.t. schedules, loadings, drawals etc.

End result:

A Friendly GUI was developed using Visual Basic keeping in mind the needs of the end user and also the advancements expected in the technology in the years to come. Add Your Remarks

Need of Decision Support System

State Load Despatch Center (SLDC) in each state is responsible for regulation of power within the state and its bilateral transactions including sale and purchase from other utilities and traders etc.

This requires not only monitoring of the electrical power system within the state, but also entails downloading various online information, compilation of these details and further issuing instructions with respect to schedules, drawals etc. As Electrical power system is dynamic and dependent upon many parameters, therefore a large amount of data needs to be analysed to make efficient decisions to run the system in an efficient way.

An operator running the system in real time is under great pressure as it is, and it is quite difficult for him to capture and analyse all the data that is available to him.

Therefore, it was felt that a software should be developed that would take care of all the complex tasks like online downloading, converting and report generation so that the operator could make effective decisions and conduct real time operations based on the data that was available to him from various sources at different points of time of the day. Add Your Remarks

Three Tier Architecture

The architecture which we are going to follow here is 3-Tier.

Three Tier Architecture constitute following layers:

Web Layer

Data Layer

Client Layer

Add Your Remarks