Deployed over 1,540 miles of dark fiber, the FLR network infrastructure provides for a dedicated statewide communications facility linking major nodes located in Pensacola, Crestview, Tallahassee, Tampa, Winter Haven, Miami, Orlando, Gainesville, Melbourne, Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville.

The foundation of the infrastructure is a dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM)-based optical footprint using Cisco Systems’ NCS 2000 optical electronic systems with a capacity of 40 wavelengths per fiber pair. Each wavelength can support transmission up to 100 billion bits per second (100 Gbps).

On top of the optical infrastructure is built an Ethernet based MPLS transport facility which provides for Internet, Internet2 and high speed IPv4 and IPv6 transit between participants. Additionally, private layer 2 or layer 3 services (VPN) may be provisioned.

Each Equity Partner is 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 partner institution, as well as dedicated waves for research activities across institutional boundaries.

The network operations center is hosted at the University of Florida. For more information, see the FLR NOC website.

Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation

Utilizing dedicated and shared 100 Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet or 1 Gigabit Ethernet high-performance data circuits, FLR participants are provided with additional capacity “on demand” to accommodate bursts in data-traffic, videoconference, or other special requirements.

ISP Connectivity

Connectivity to Commercial Internet Service Providers is available in order to provide economical and reliable Internet service to FLR participants.

National and International Research Connectivity

Connectivity to advanced production regional and national networks, such as Internet2,  the GLIF, and Energy Sciences Network supports new applications and services.

High Speed IP transit

High Speed IP transit paths between participants, supporting both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols. FLR is designed to allow growth in terms of the number of hosts connected as well as the amount of data transmitted.

Peering

Arrangements with other networks and traffic exchange points allow FLR to route and exchange network traffic, resulting in fewer hops and faster access to user destinations.

Dedicated Wavelengths

For research applications needing a dedicated wavelength service, FLR offers participants point to point 1.0, 2.5, 10 or 100 gigabits per second optical lambdas as a complement to the FLR optical-based backbone services.

A compilation of Important Information and links related to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak

As Florida's universities and colleges transitioned to on-line learning in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, we at Florida LambdaRail renewed our commitment to providing the same excellent service our members and affiliates have come to expect from us. We understand doing our job, and doing it well, is essential to ensuring college and university operations continue with no disruptions.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding how FLR may help your institution during the on-going Covid-19 response, do not hesitate to reach out to us. As always, we make it our mission to ensure your needs are met.

The FLR team

Information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

Covid-19 Information from the CDC ...
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Florida Department of Health Covid-19 Information

https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/ ...
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Covid-19 Information from FLR’s Partner Institutions

Below are links to each FLR Equity Partner's #Covid-19 update pages: Website FAU http://www.fau.edu/coronavirus/ FGCU https://www.fgcu.edu/coronaupdate/ FIT http://www.fit.edu/coronavirus FIU https://www.fiu.edu/coronavirus/ ...
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FLR recently bade farewell to Dr. Rick Burnette who earlier this month completed a two-year term as FSU's representative on the FLR Board of Directors.

Dr. Burnette, who served as Interim CIO at FSU from 2021 until just recently, will return to his duties as the associate vice president for academic affairs and institutional data administrator at Florida State University where he will be taking on several new projects including preparing FSU to be considered for AAU status in the coming years.  During his time on the FLR Board of Directors, Rick served as Chair of the Research Committee and always provided a welcome jolt of humor and insight.  The entire Board and the FLR staff appreciate his service.

Filling Rick's shoes as FSU's representative on the Board of Directors is Jonathan Fozard, who on April 3rd was named as the university’s chief information officer and associate vice president for Information Technology Services (ITS).

Dr. Rick Burnette receives a plaque in recognition of his service to the Board of Directors from CEO Jon Ellis

FLR hosted a series of meetings on UCF's Orlando campus on May 1st and 2nd.  The Board of Directors met for its quarterly meeting on the morning of May 1st followed in the afternoon by our first-ever All-Members meeting. The meetings wrapped up on Tuesday, May 2nd, with breakout sessions for FLR member institution engineers and for the Sunshine State Education and Research Computing Alliance (SSERCA).

Members were able to participate either in-person or online and all events were well-attended.  "This was our first time hosting representatives from all FLR affiliate institutions," said CEO Jon Ellis.  "The turnout was even better than we expected.  It was great seeing so many members of the FLR family come together."

The Member Meeting included informative sessions covering Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, a FLR/Education/Government use case, and FLR's backbone upgrade.

The Cybersecurity discussion included David Zambri, UCF's Chief Information Security Officer, and Justin Crenshaw, a Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI's Orlando office who discussed tips for securing your institution's networking environment. SSA Crenshaw gave a fascinating presentation detailing aspects of the FBI's recent role in taking down a ransomware network, including helpful tips on protecting your organization ahead of time and how to respond if attacked.

FLR Board Member Elias Eldayrie, Vice President and CIO at the University of Florida, and his colleague Dr. David Reed, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Inaugural Director of the UF AI2 Center, gave an informative and engaging presentation on the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence, how it is being deployed across the academic curriculum, and how tools are being developed for use in many fields, not just education.

FLR Board Member Jason Ball, FAU's Associate Provost and CIO, along with Mike Butler, Palm Beach County's Director of Network Services, and Jeff Schilit, FLR's Chief Business Development Officer, came together to present a use-case highlighting how the three organizations work together to expand network access across the Palm Beach region.  Attendees were given insights into how partnering with other FLR users in a geographic region can extend benefits to a greater number of participants.

FLR's Chief Network Architect Chris Griffin wrapped up the afternoon with an in-depth look at FLR's currently-in-progress backbone upgrade from our current 100Gbps to 400Gbps.  400Gbps is the new international standard for R&E networking.  The upgrade is nearly complete and undergoing testing.  We look forward to making a formal announcement once the fabric is fully operational in the near future.

FLR's next Board meeting will be held in August.

Chris Griffin, FLR Chief Network Architect, briefs attendees about the benefits of our upgrade to 400Gbps

Florida State University is ranked among the world’s top universities for creating patented technology, according to a new report  from the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.

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Florida State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark announced today the appointment of Jonathan Fozard as the university’s chief information officer and associate vice president for Information Technology Services (ITS). 

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Faculty in Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice are No. 1 in the country for research productivity and influence among faculty in their field, according to a quantitative assessment in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education.  

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NAI Senior Members are active faculty, scientists and administrators from NAI member institutions who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They also have growing success in patents, licensing and commercialization, while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

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The enhanced virtual cloud computing infrastructure will address the need to create a scalable secure learning and research environment for UNF students, faculty and staff. The project will benefit both traditional and non-traditional students providing a consistent set of tools, software, security, and level of interactivity with faculty during their academic career at UNF.

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As cybercrimes and security breaches continue to impact the global landscape, FIU Business has launched an MBA in Cybersecurity Risk Management.

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The addition of Bloomberg terminals will allow students access to this important technology for supply chain and T&L analysis as Bloomberg terminals offer powerful data & analytics, industry-leading collaboration tools, and multi-asset execution capabilities. Students will also have the opportunity to become “Bloomberg Certified,” a designation that is becoming increasingly important in the T&L job market.

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John Hall – Jack to all who knew him - passed away from a sudden illness over the December holiday break.

Jack was one of FLR’s Chief Business Development Officers and one of our first employees, creating many of the processes and procedures we use today to provide IT services to our members and affiliates. He was 84 years old and still working every day helping to grow our company and guide our members and affiliates.

Jack came to FLR in 2005 after retiring as Chief Technology Officer at Florida Atlantic University. While at FAU, he was instrumental in bringing the Boca Raton University into FLR and elevating its IT operations. Under his watch, Jack modernized the FAU data center and was instrumental in the university being recognized as one of the 100 best IT departments in the country. Before working at FAU, Jack worked in the IT industry and served his country for 8 years in the US Air Force, rising to the rank of Captain, serving as a Missile Launch Officer and attending the Air Force Institute of Technology. His military service was recognized with several commendations, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Airforce Outstanding Unit Award.

Jack was a larger-than-life presence. His friends and family (including longtime partner Carol, 7 children, 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild) will tell you of his love, in no particular order, for cigars, golf, Bombay Gin, the Northern Illinois Huskies, and the Chicago Cubs. And of course, FLR. This company would not be what we are today without his talents, commitment, energy, brains, and wonderful good humor.

A memorial service and celebration of life reception will be held on January 13.

The memorial service will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33708, on January 13, 2023, from 12:45-1:30, with Military Honors, Catholic Prayer Service, and Eulogies.

An open house reception to celebrate Jack’s life will follow at the VFW Post 4364, 5773 62nd St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 from 2:00 pm to 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Memory of John Hall, to Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL. (Notification information, optional: Mary Malloy, 10039 Oasis Palm Dr., Tampa, FL, 33615, marymalloy40@gmail.com).

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Thanks to the generosity of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, an $11.7 million research vessel will soon make the trek from California to its new home in St. Petersburg.

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J. Travis Hunsucker, ocean engineering and marine sciences assistant professor, will provide support for NASA’s Landing and Recovery Team. Through a contract with Jacobs Technology, Hunsucker will utilize his expertise in wave and ship dynamics in the offshore recovery effort near San Diego next month.

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