Network Engineering and Telecommunications

A current diagram of the Front Range GigaPOP (FRGP) shows the breadth of network connectivity spanning the three states including Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The FRGP provides optimal network access intra-FRGP, to NLR, to Abilene, to TransitRail, and to the Commodity Internet. The economies of scale of sharing these services through the FRGP maximize performance and minimize costs. View large image.

The Network Engineering and Telecommunications Section (NETS) is responsible for the planning, engineering, installation, operation, maintenance, strategy, and research regarding the state-of-the-art data networking and telecommunications facilities for NCAR/UCAR. NETS provides a vital service to the atmospheric and oceanographic research communities by ensuring supercomputing resources are linked to scientists at NCAR and throughout the university research community. These connectivity activities are essential to the effective use of NCAR/UCAR's scientific resources, and they foster the overall advancement of scientific inquiry. This work support NCAR's strategic priority of "Developing and providing advanced services and tools."

NETS pursued these LAN projects in FY 2006:

• UCAR network infrastructure recabling
• Network monitoring
• Multicast support activities
• UPS, grounding, wireless networking, Voice over IP
• SCD LAN projects

NETS pursued these MAN projects in FY 2006:

• Boulder Point-Of-Presence (BPOP)
• Boulder Research and Administration Network (BRAN)
• Remote-working and home-access

NETS pursued these WAN projects in FY 2006:

• Front Range GigaPOP (FRGP)
• National LambdaRail (NLR)
• Internet2/Abilene
• Bi-State Optical Network (BiSON)
• TeraGrid

In FY 2007, NETS will continue to provide support and enhancements for these essential networking services.

NETS' work is supported through the UCAR Communications Pool indirect funds.