This paper examines the applicability of the vigilance paradigm to the task of monitoring data communication networks. Survey work and the results of usability evaluations of IBM network management products suggest that several key aspects of the vigilance paradigm do apply to this task. The task is prolonged but not necessarily continuous because of time sharing and social interaction. The signals are of the cognitive type and are many and varied. The simple ones are obvious; more difficult ones are not. The signals are infrequent and aperiodic. The frequency is probably lower than in most vigilance experiments, and the response does have an impact on future signal rate. Often the response to a detected problem is to begin problem recording and troubleshooting. A set of recommendations for modification of the paradigm and experimental parameter values is provided that will make the results of future vigilance experiments more applicable to this type of operational monitoring. A second set of recommendations is provided for improving human performance in this type of system monitoring.
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