UAS Regional Optical Network

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UAS Regional Optical Network

• June 15, 2006

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Opportunities for Collaboration
Ultrahigh-speed Networks

• 100s Gigabytes/second
• End-to-end performance guarantees
• Quality-of-service
• Advanced network monitoring and reporting

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Internet Member Universities September 1997
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(No Transcript)
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Why RON When We Have I2?

• Greater bandwidth
• Dedicated bandwidth
• Collaboration competitive edge
• Freedom from acceptable use policies
• Catalyst for economic development
• Need both a production experimental network
• Achieve Cost Savings with multiple networks using
  same infrastructure

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National LambdaRail Infrastructure
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National LambdaRail (NLR)

• Consortium of research universities and leading
  edge technology companies
• Deploying national infrastructure for
• advanced network research
• next-generation, computationally intensive
  network-based applications
• Supporting multiple, independent high speed links
  to research universities and centers

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NLR Members

• CENIC Stanford, UC, CSU, CIT, USC
• PNWGP Pacific Rim, Alaska, Idaho, Montana,
  Oregon, Washington, British Columbia
• Duke University NC universities
• MATP Virginia Tech, UVA, Old Dominion, VCU,
  George Mason, William Mary
• Cornell University

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NLR Members

• FLR Florida Atlantic, Florida International,
  Florida Institute Technology, FSU, University of
  Florida, University of Miami, etc.
• Georgia Tech SLR GT, GSU, UGA, Medical
  College of Georgia
• Louisiana Board of Regents
• Oklahoma State Board of Regents

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NLR Members

• Lonestar Education and Research Network UT
  system, Texas AM system, Texas Tech system,
  Baylor
• University of New Mexico
• UCAR Colorado, Wyoming, Utah
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory

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NLR/RON Network Model

• Supports multiple, distinct experimental and
  production networks
• Supports Point-to-point switched Ethernet as well
  as routed IP networks
• We purchase long term leases of dark fiber
• We light the dark fiber
• We own and manage the infrastructure
• RONs connect to NLR backbone
• RONs connect to Internet - commodity I2

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NLR and the RONs
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UAS Motivation

• Attract and retain the best and brightest
• Leverage our individual strengths to reach out to
  collaborate
• Provide infrastructure to widen research
  opportunities
• Control our wide area networking destiny
• Take advantage of current market opportunities
• Solve real world problems

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Progress to Date

• Feb 2005 campus Presidents approve pursuing
  dark fiber acquisitions
• Mar 2005 IT committee briefed
• Summer 2005 bids for dark fiber routes
• Awarded Nashville to Atlanta (Level3)
  Tuscaloosa to Birmingham (Deltacom)
• Negotiate with NASA/NLR/SLR to connect MSFC in
  Huntsville

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SLR Agreement

• SLR uses UAS fiber in exchange for optronics to
  light the fiber to connect MSFC to NLR
• UAS campuses would only have to pay incremental
  costs to connect each campus

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Next Steps

• Establish local fiber loops in Huntsville
  Birmingham
• Finalize SLR agreement
• Purchase optronics
• Negotiate partnerships with AREN and Tennessee
  for additional services

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Estimated Costs for UAS RON
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Costs Funding by University
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UA Timeline
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UAB Timeline
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UAH Timeline
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Collaboration Success Story

• 2004 Estimated cost was 15M
• 2006 Estimated cost is 1.5M

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Questions?
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Request Approval

• Resolution approving establishment of a Regional
  Optical Network for the Three Campuses of The
  University of Alabama System found on page 2 in
  your committee packet.