Deployed over 1,540 miles of dark fiber, obtained through Level 3 Communications, Inc. utilizing the Internet2 and FIBERCO initiatives, the FLR network infrastructure provides for a dedicated statewide communications facility linking major nodes located in Pensacola, Tallahassee, Tampa, Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, Melbourne, Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville, as well as interconnecting with NLR nodes located in Jacksonville and planned for Pensacola.
The foundation of the infrastructure is a dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM)-based optical footprint using Cisco Systems’ 15454 optical electronic systems with a capacity of 32 wavelengths per fiber pair. Each wavelength can support transmission up to 10 billion bits per second (10 Gbps).
On top of the optical infrastructure is built an Ethernet based MPLS transport facility. This provides for Internet, Internet2 and high speed IPv4 and IPv6 transit between participants. Additionally, private layer 2 or layer 3 services (VPN) may also be provisioned.
Each Equity Member, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Florida State University, Nova Southeastern University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Miami, University of North Florida, and University of West Florida, are provided a primary 10 Gbps and a secondary 1 Gbps connection to the MPLS backbone.
Through advanced technologies, multiple waves are available along the optical backbone in support of primary and secondary access for each member institution, as well as dedicated waves for research activities across institutional boundaries.
The FLR infrastructure is owned and operated by the Equity Members. The network operations center is hosted at the University of Florida. For more information, see the FLR NOC website at noc.flrnet.org.
