UD partners with state to boost campus Internet connection speed, capacity

2:05 p.m., Oct. 8, 2003--The University is changing its approach to Internet service to get speedier connections and more bandwidth. The new system will be 20 times faster, but the cost will be the same.

Here is how the switch is happening without added cost:

The University, in partnership with the state of Delaware’s Department of Technology and Information (DTI), has leased a dark fiber optic ring to connect to Philadelphia, where Internet service providers offer more bandwidth at lower prices.
The University and DTI are sharing the cost of the electronic equipment that will “light up” the line. The equipment is expected to arrive by the end of October. Testing of the network has already begun.
UD has entered a 20-year lease to connect the campus computing center in Newark and the state of Delaware Biggs Computer Center to a carrier “hotel” in Philadelphia. The costs of the lease will be amortized over 10 years.
The University will also switch Internet service providers. With the new equipment, the University’s Internet connection will be capable of carrying a billion bits of data per second instead of the current 45 million bits of data per second.

Daniel Grim, executive director of IT Network & Systems Services at the University, said general demand for the Internet on campus has been growing dramatically over the last few years, and it was obvious that more bandwidth would be needed.

“We saw an opportunity to buy a lot more bandwidth for no more money,’’ he said.

"We’ve sort of hit the wall in terms of the 45 million bits-per-second connection. We’re using as much as we can. There are only six to eight hours a day when the Internet connection is not at saturation – during the wee hours of the morning.’’

Even though the network is used to its maximum capacity, campus users still have speedier access than the average home cable user, Grim said.

Campus users should notice no changes during the switch, which will occur sometime in November, Grim said, and the improvements will allow the University room for growth.

The University also is replacing its direct Internet 2 connection, for rapid transfer of educational communications. Instead of its current direct connection to Abilene, the network created by the University Corp. for Advanced Internet Development, UD will connect with Abilene through MagPi, the Mid-Atlantic GigaPOP for Internet 2.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with DTI in this venture that will bring greater off-premise bandwidth and speed to address current and future needs for both of us,’’ said Susan Foster, vice president for information technologies.

“UD and DTI will run the network cooperatively,’’ Foster said. “This cooperative venture also provides UD with the opportunity to join with other higher education institutions of the MagPi consortium in Philadelphia for access to Internet 2, and we are looking forward to joining our colleagues on the MagPi board,’’ she said.

Article by Kathy Canavan

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