CDS Network

CDC's network is spread across Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The sites are interconnected through highly reliable WAN links. The reliability of links is backed up with multiple levels of redundancy. In case of a link failure, the fallback to backup link is completely unnoticeable. Along with reliability and redundancy, security is one of the most important concerns for CDC. Confidentiality and authenticity are ensured for all transactions that are carried over the network.

Stock exchange users are connected through resilient and dedicated links while clients other than stock users (external clients) connect to the CDC network via a dial-up by using Pakistan Telecommunication Corporation Limited’s (PTCL) Public Switched Telecommunication Network (PSTN) or any other PTCL-interconnected switching service(s). Sufficient numbers of simultaneous dial-up lines are maintained at various sites to allow first call connection. We also have reliable and high bandwidth metro fiber connectivity for external clients.

Business Continuity Program

CDC is one of the first few Pakistani institutions to establish a comprehensive Business Continuity Program (BCP), hence Business Continuity remains one of CDC’s primary focuses. Multiple business continuity test drills are conducted periodically each year involving all services and functions as well as locations to ensure readiness of responding to disaster situation. CDC has real-time Disaster Recovery setup. Multiple data centers and data communication network links have been established to ensure data resilience. DR Drills are regularly carried out from time-to-time to ensure recovery from any unforeseen real-life disasters. Switching between the sites is totally transparent to the users.

CDS Software

CDS is a menu-driven client / server application system. The Graphic User Interface based proprietary client runs on a Microsoft Windows based PC. The Client neither stores users’ data nor executes the application logic; instead the customer data as well as application logic resides on the central server managed by CDC. The installation and set-up of the proprietary CDS Client at customer site is supported by the Customer Network Support Services.

Based on the ever changing market regulations and evolving markets, our clients’ feedback and needs, the application is being continuously enhanced in-house to include more functions and features. Standards based Software Engineering process is being implemented to ensure uninterrupted availability of the system and the integrity of the data.

The software updates for CDS Client are delivered over the CDC network for efficient configuration management.

Depending on the nature, all important announcements related to capital market and system updates are communicated to CDS clients via Notice Management System (NMS) which is embedded in the CDS.

CDS clients can choose to access their account related information via web access and / or state-of-the-art call center which are integrated with the CDS. Updates about certain account activities are also sent to our clients via SMS.

CDS Hardware

CDS Client is an Intel / Microsoft Windows based PC with a LAN card for the users at local stock exchange while LAN and a standard dialup modem for the remote users.

Minimum Hardware Configuration for CDS Applications

 

Component	Requirement
Processor	Intel Core 2 Duo or above
RAM	01 GB or above
Hard Disk	At least 20 GB Free
Serial Port/USB for External Modem	1 at least
Printer	High quality/speed Laser printer
Mouse	2/3 Buttons (PS1/PS2 or USB connector type)
Keyboard	101/104 Keys (PS1/PS2 or USB connector type)
Keyboard Interface on Motherboard	PS1/ PS2 or USB connector type
Monitor	15” SVGA Color Monitor with 1024x768 Display Resolution
VGA Card	Any Graphics Card on AGP/PCI slot supporting above mentioned monitor resolution.
CD ROM	50 x or above
Brand	Any Branded PC

Operating System Configuration

Minimum Requirement

Windows XP Professional (Licensed) with latest Service Pack & patches

Internet Explorer version 6.0 or above

Acrobat Reader 7.0 or above

Any of the Commercially available Antivirus Software

Connectivity Option

NIC for Stock Exchange Users

Manufacturer	Type
Any Brand	RJ-45 Connector Type (10/100 Mbps)

Modem for Remote Users/ Dialup Users

Minimum Requirement

US Robotic / Zoltrix 56 Kbps (Internal or External)/ ISDN Modem / ISDN BRI

Security Measures

To ensure utmost security of information, multiple levels of protection have been deployed to create an impregnable system for hackers and unauthorized users. Some of the major security measures include:

• Unique CDS Terminal information binding on backend server
• Terminal Authentication – A dual factor authentication protocol comprising of a 4 digit pin number and a 6 digit automatically generated passcode
• Virtual Private Network (VPN)
• Various Firewalls
• Complex password authentication into CDS Application as per best practices
• Segregated User Level Authorities
• CLI binding
• Servers - The central servers comprise of powerful, fault tolerant and redundant servers with large storage devices and fast archival systems at the primary site