BCNETwork News

December 2007

BCNET's Optical Regional Advanced Network Upgrade Completed

BC's dedicated Optical Regional Advanced Network for research and education comprising 72, 10 gigabit wavelengths across a shared optical network is now complete and fully operational. The past few months have encompassed the successful transition of networks at the Kamloops, Kelowna, Vancouver and Victoria locations.

Harnessing the full spectrum of wavelengths would enable one to download 72 full-length motion picture films simultaneously in 2 seconds flat. Truly the most advanced network of its kind in Canada, the upgraded network now greatly improves the collaboration capability of BC’s researchers and educators.

At this time, BCNET has transitioned from CANARIE’s portion of the network to BC's only dedicated advanced network, which is now in production, live and in use. A redundant link between Vancouver and Seattle is also in place and an alarm monitoring system is currently being piloted for troubleshooting the network equipment.

Future next steps for BCNET's advanced network include the development and documentation of operational procedures and the co-management of the network by BCNET, CANARIE and Cybera (formerly Netera).