SOP-T1-19: Handling TLC Engineering Issues
Out-of-Scope Firewall & Switch Inquiries — Tier 1 Support Standard Operating Procedure
Document ID: SOP-T1-19
Version: 2.0
Owner: Tier 1 Support Associates
Approver: John Martinez — T1 Manager
Applies To: Tier 1 Support Associates
Related SOPs: SOP-T1-02 — Hetrix Down Notifications SOP-T1-12 — Handling Deals Not Managed by Hyper Networks
1. Purpose
This procedure guides Tier 1 associates in handling TLC engineering issues — firewalls, switches, and similar equipment-level concerns — that fall outside Tier 1 scope and must be routed to Interia Technologies for assistance.
2. Scope
This procedure applies specifically to TLC customer inquiries about firewalls, switches, or comparable engineering-level equipment. It also covers Hetrix Down notifications on TLC circuits/deals, where the correct next step depends on whether the circuit involves a firewall or a carrier.
What this SOP does not cover
This procedure only covers firewall/switch engineering inquiries and the related Hetrix Down triage step. For TLC issues that are connectivity-related and involve a carrier, follow SOP-T1-01 or SOP-T1-02 as appropriate instead of this SOP.
3. Roles & Responsibilities
Tier 1 Support Associate: Identifies that a TLC inquiry is an engineering issue out of Tier 1 scope, routes it to Interia Technologies, and follows up on resolution before closing the ticket.
T1 Manager: Approves this SOP.
Interia Technologies: External engineering support for TLC firewalls and switches; primary and secondary contacts below.
4. Prerequisites
Non-Technical Prerequisites
- Active HubSpot/CRM account to check whether a TLC circuit involves a firewall or a carrier.
Technical Prerequisites
- Ability to distinguish a firewall/switch engineering concern from a standard connectivity issue when reading a customer's inquiry.
5. Procedure
STEP 1 — Identify the Engineering Inquiry
When a TLC customer sends an email inquiring about firewalls or switches, recognize this as an engineering-level issue that is out of Tier 1 scope.
STEP 2 — Route to Interia Technologies
Send an email to Interia Technologies for assistance.
Interia Technologies contacts
Primary Contact: Support@interiatechnologies.com
Secondary Contact: Nitin.singam@interiatechnologies.com / (610) 704-2483
Tier 1 may also call the phone number above for follow-up.
STEP 3 — Hetrix Down Notifications on TLC Circuits
If a Hetrix Down notification comes in for a TLC circuit/deal, check HubSpot/CRM to determine whether the circuit involves a firewall or has a carrier.
Decision
If the circuit has a carrier → follow SOP-T1-02 (Hetrix Down Notifications) instead of this SOP.
If the circuit involves a firewall → continue with this SOP and route to Interia Technologies (Step 2).
STEP 4 — Confirm Resolution Before Closing
Make sure the issue is resolved before closing the ticket.
If Support@interiatechnologies.com does not respond, monitor and follow up for 72 hours using the standard no-response monitoring sequence before closing the ticket.
6. Escalation Criteria
- Interia Technologies does not respond within 72 hours → escalate to the T1 Manager before closing the ticket, rather than closing solely due to non-response.
- Unclear whether a TLC issue is a firewall/switch engineering concern or a standard connectivity issue → check HubSpot/CRM for a carrier association first; if still unclear, confirm with the T1 Manager before routing.
7. Do's and Don'ts
Do
- Route firewall and switch inquiries to Interia Technologies — this is out of Tier 1 scope.
- Check HubSpot/CRM on every TLC Hetrix Down notification to determine firewall vs. carrier before deciding which SOP to follow.
- Confirm the issue is resolved before closing the ticket.
Don't
- Don't attempt to troubleshoot firewall or switch configuration directly — route it to Interia Technologies.
- Don't follow this SOP for TLC circuits that have a carrier — use SOP-T1-02 instead.
- Don't close a ticket solely because Interia Technologies has not responded — work the 72-hour no-response monitoring first.
8. Revision History
v1.0: Original knowledge-base article format. The document did not explicitly state what to do for TLC issues that are not firewall/switch related, and the Hetrix Down triage logic (firewall vs. carrier) was stated but not clearly separated from the main engineering-routing procedure.
v2.0: Restructured into standard SOP format (Purpose, Scope, Roles, Prerequisites, Procedure, Escalation Criteria, Do's/Don'ts, Revision History). Added an explicit “What this SOP does not cover” note in Scope directing carrier-related TLC issues to SOP-T1-01/T1-02. Split the Hetrix Down triage logic into its own step with a clear decision callout. No contact information or procedural content changed.