National LambdaRail Services

National LambdaRail's nationwide advanced optical network infrastructure is capable of meeting the needs of the most demanding network and scientific research. Because NLR owns the underlying fiber optic cable and optical equipment, as well as other networking equipment, it can cost-effectively implement multiple, diverse experimental and production networks on its nationwide optical fiber footprint with unprecedented flexibilty and responsiveness.

A core set of basic services are available to NLR member organizations and users that are sponsored by a member organization. Variations of the core set of basic services, as well as additional services, are available upon request.

NLR WaveNet: Lambda-Based Services

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.

NLR FrameNet: Ethernet-Based Services

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.

Point-to-Point Ethernet
A dedicated point-to-point Ethernet link with guaranteed bandwidth across the NLR FrameNet infrastructure. Rates from subgigabit-per-second to 10 gigabit-per-second are available.

Dedicated Multipoint Ethernet
A service of 3 or more user endpoints, with an associated amount bandwidth dedicated on the FrameNet network. The user endpoints share the dedicated bandwidth. Rates from subgigabit-per-second to 10 gigabit-per-second are available.

Non-Dedicated Multipoint Ethernet
A service with no bandwidth guarantees over the NLR FrameNet infrastructure that connects more than two end points specified by the user.

Less-than-best-effort Point-to-Point or Multipoint Ethernet
A connection of 2 or more user endpoints which would like to make use of any bandwidth not in use by any other service. Traffic would be lower priority than any other service on FrameNet, including the National Exchange Fabric.

NLR PacketNet: IP-Based Services

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.

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.

Other Services

Co-Location 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

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.

To become a member of NLR, contact membership@nlr.net. To be sponsored by an NLR member organization, please contact the organization directly.