For Researchers
Services
This section provides a basic description of NLR's core set of basic services and the mechanisms for obtaining the costs for these services.
Core Service Description
NLR is a unique and rich set of facilities, capabilities and services that support a set of multiple, distinct, experimental and production networks. On NLR, different networks exist side-by-side in the same fiber-optic cable pair, but are physically and operationally independent of each other as each network is supported by its own lightwave or lambda. This infrastructure provides the basis for the core set of basic services offered by NLR and described below. A more detailed description of the services can be found at: http://www.nlr.net/services. Descriptions of current projects using NLR and the services they use can be found at: http://www.nlr.net/projects/.
NLR WaveNet offers point-to-point, high-capacity 10-gigabit Ethernet LAN-PHY or OC-192 lambdas between any two nodes on the NLR infrastructure. The NLR WaveNet service is a full-production, unprotected point-to-point wavelength. Users requiring protection may purchase a second wave-length and implement protection switching at their site. NLR may be able to provide diverse routing between the primary and protection circuit.
- 10-gigabit Ethernet LAN-PHY
- OC-192 Lambda
NLR FrameNet offers Ethernet-based transport services over the nationwide NLR optical infrastructure. These services facilitate point-to-point or multipoint Ethernet transport at subgigabit, gigabit and multigigabit data rates. All Ethernet-based services are available from any of the FrameNet-enabled nodes of the NLR infrastructure. Three standard types of NLR FrameNet service are available.
- National Exchange Fabric — A shared multipoint Ethernet service with no bandwidth guarantees. A one-gigabit Ethernet connection to this service is included as part of most NLR memberships.
- Dedicated FrameNet — Dedicated FrameNet is an Ethernet service with bandwidth guarantees. It can be point-to-point or multipoint and is available on either gigE (LX or ZX) interfaces as well as 10 GE interfaces. It can be purchased in increments of 100 Mb and the pricing is distance sensitive.
- Non-Dedicated FrameNet — Non-dedicated FrameNet is an Ethernet service with no bandwidth guarantees. It can be point to point or multipoint and is available on GigE (LX or ZX) and 10 GE interfaces. The bandwidth portion of this service is free until Oct 15, 2006. If the existing GigE interface is used for the service, then there is not cost at all to the service. If an additional interface is needed, it is just the cost of the additional interface.
NLR PacketNet provides nationwide IP-based services utilizing Cisco CRS-1 routers. A 10-gigabit Ethernet connection to one of the two types of NLR PacketNet services is included as part of most NLR memberships.
- IP VPN Service — A stable, production-quality, non-interruptable service using RFC2547 BGP VPNs for projects that require an overlay IP network with separation of traffic, routing, and policy from the Routed IP Service. Available to any number of sites, using new or existing PacketNet 10-gigabit and one-gigabit connections. Projects interested in the IP VPN Service will be evaluated on a case by case basis to determine feasbility of IP VPN Services for the project and any related costs.
- Routed IP Service — A stable, production-quality, noninterruptible, AUP-free routed IP network on a 10-gigabit Ethernet backbone that provides a range of IP-based services, including IPv4 Unicast, IPv4 Multicast, IPv6 Unicast and IPv6 Multicast. This network connects to and peers with three international peering points: PacificWave, StarLight and Manhattan LAN (MAN LAN). Both 10-gigabit Ethernet and one-gigabit Ethernet connections are available.
- Breakable IP Service — A breakable, interruptible, AUP-free routed IP network that allows researchers to test new technologies and services, including ones that may be disruptive to the routed network. The basic service set is similar to the NLR PacketNet Routed IP Service, including IPv4 Unicast, IPv4 Multicast, IPv6 Unicast and IPv6 Multicast. Additional IP-based services are available upon request. Peering connections are available based on the specific needs of the researchers. Both 10-gigabit Ethernet and one-gigabit Ethernet connections are available.
NLR can offer researchers a range of other services that are primiarly in support of, but can be separate from, the core network services. These services include:
- Cross Connections — NLR can order cross-connections within an existing NLR node facility, either in bulk form or as single pairs.Interconnections. NLR can have dark fiber spliced from different providers at any of the existing NLR nodes along the NLR infrastructure.
- Fiber IRUs — NLR can obtain an IRU (Indefeasible Right to Use) for dark fiber between diverse locations, including those not currently on the NLR infrastructure.
- Remote Hands — NLR can arrange remote hands support for members, leveraging the existing remote hands contracts NLR has in place.
- Colocation Services — NLR can lease a rack for a member, as well as arrange for DC and/or AC power, at any of the existing NLR nodes along the NLR infrastructure
NLRview is an infrastructure currently being deployed at NLR PacketNet and FrameNet facilities to support network measurement and other network research applications. NLRview has also been designed to aid the NLR Layer2/3 Service Center identify and troubleshoot performance problems on the NLR backbone or between NLR and its member RONs and their customers. Visit the NLR NOC site for a technical overview.
- NLRView
Service Types - Shared and Dedicated
The core set of basic services includes both shared and dedicated services. Two services, the NLR PacketNet Routed IP Service and the NLR FrameNet National Exchange Fabric are shared services whose cost is included as part of the basic NLR Membership. Thus, there are no additional NLR costs for these services. Dedicated services, such as the point-to-point WaveNet or FrameNet, do have additional costs associated with them. Section 2.3 below outlines the mechanisms available for getting NLR costs as well as any regional costs associated with a service.