Metropolitan Area Network projects

Big Pipe Consortium (BPC) project

In June 1995, NETS spearheaded the BPC, which is a loose consortium of Boulder-area institutions consisting of NCAR/UCAR, CU (University of Colorado - Boulder), Westnet, and SuperNet, Inc. The purpose of the BPC is to bring to NCAR/UCAR a set of ATM-based links that allow BPC members to interchange information among themselves and the vBNS (very-high-speed Backbone Network Service), and more importantly, to share a single big pipe to the Commodity Internet. Currently, this big pipe is a non-ATM DS-3 (45 Mbps) link provided by MCI.

At this time, the BPC is paying for a maximum of 10 Mbps duplex service. As Commodity Internet access growth occurs, BPC members have the option to increase bandwidth consumption up to the full 45 Mbps DS-3 rate.

By joining together as a group to access the Commodity Internet, the BPC members save a considerable amount of money and obtain more service for the amount of money being spent. A 23 KB diagram shows how NCAR/UCAR networks are interconnected with the BPC.

We have recently added connectivity to the Colorado School of Mines via the BPC and increased the capacity from SNI. We have also added 1 Mbps service directly to Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN) via SNI for improved Commodity Internet service.

NETS also installed and tested an OC3 laser system with NIST/NOAA to evaluate the potential of this technology for BPC MAN applications.

In compliance with a special request, NETS provided an estimate of MAN services to a private concern, Colorado Research Associates (formerly Orbital Sciences).

Timeplex T1 network project

NETS continues to support communications systems at NCAR's Jeffco and Marshall sites. Jeffco still maintains a T1 connection for voice service, AppleTalk access, and backup data service. The Marshall site is the only NCAR/UCAR site that relies exclusively on T1 for communications. The T1 line to Marshall provides both voice and data service between Marshall and the Mesa Lab.

Modem support project

NETS supports 59 modems that provide 1200 bps, 2400 bps, 4800 bps, 9600 bps, 14,400 bps, and 28,800 bps services. Most of these modems (48) provide local call support. Eleven lines provide a 1-800 service that uses a local accounting service to charge back remote users. The modems are grouped into nine rotaries. Seven rotaries attach to a terminal server, one rotary attaches to the PACX, and one rotary provides the 1-800 service. Dial-in and SCD dial-out services are provided. Terminal emulation, PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol), SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol), and ARAP (AppleTalk Remote Access Protocol) are supported on most of the serial ports.

NETS installed a Remote Access Server (RAS) that utilizes two digital T1 lines to provide 48 new dial-in lines. This service currently is in alpha test and will be opened to general users in November 1997. This service will be upgraded to 56Kbps within the coming year.

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