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 optical wavelength systems from multiple vendors with a capacity of 40 channels per fiber pair. Each channel 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 100/10 Gbps and a secondary 100/10/1 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 Internet2the GNA-G, 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, 10, 10 x 10, 100 or 100 x 2 Gbps optical-based backbone services.