Tagged: network

REANNZ Network Service Enhancements

Our engineers have recently completed a thorough review of our network architecture. As a result, we’ve identified actions we can take to increase network resiliency, provide greater flexibility in services, and implement the hardware / software upgrades necessary to support the community’s expansion and traffic growth. Over the next few weeks, we will be putting these plans into action.

In particular, we expect the following changes to occur:

  • The rescheduled addition of extra 10Gb/s capacity to the Auckland switch
  • Software upgrades across all network equipment
  • Replacement of core routers for enhanced stability, functionality, vendor support and reduced operational costs overheads
  • Architectural changes to an MPLS-based core infrastructure for increased resiliency to failures and better traffic engineering
  • Introduction of a new link between Avalon and Christchurch for improved resiliency across Cook Strait

Some of these upgrades will cause short outages or disrupt traffic flowing across the network. While these interruptions can not be avoided, we will work with you to mitigate the impact of these outages as much as possible.  So that you can plan accordingly, REANNZ will provide specific outage notifications once the exact dates and impacts of each change are finalised, we publish this information via our “noc” mailing list, on our website and on the REANNZ Event calendar.

We are excited by the enhanced level of service these changes will provide for members, and we appreciate your understanding while these improvements are made. If you have any comments or concerns, please contact us at operations@reannz.co.nz.

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Land Information NZ now on the REANNZ Network

Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is connected to our network. 

LINZ is responsible for land titles, geodetic and cadastral survey systems, topographic information, hydrographic information and the management of Crown property. This new connectivity to the REANNZ Network allows REANNZ members access to LINZ’s charts, hydrographic services, maps and topographic services (the LINZ Data Service will be available later in the year).

For the REANNZ members who consume this wealth of data, this means no more shipping hard disks or USB sticks around the country, or the world. To make use of this connectivity, you do not have to do anything “special”, just go about your “usual” business activities, and enjoy the increased speeds this new connectivity allows.

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Improved Resiliency on the Network

New 10Gb/s Link Enhances REANNZ Network Resiliency

One of our key goals is to provide a network platform that supports production quality advanced services, networking research & development and experimental test beds. The impact of REANNZ delivering this, will mean that our users are able to conduct research, education and innovation that could not occur without the reach, reliability and speed of an advanced network.

We are constantly seeking ways to augment and enhance the REANNZ Network so that we are able to deliver this essential networking infrastructure for our community. From the outset of the network, we have been aware of the vulnerability of the single path between the North and South Island, and have now been able to secure a second, alternate path between them. Currently, we are commissioning a 10Gb/s circuit from Avalon (AVL) to Christchurch (CHC) that will improve the network resiliency by avoiding the bottle neck of the Cook Strait. The circuit will be provisioned on the TelstraClear AquaFOTs fibre as a 10Gb/s wavelength service.

The map below shows the enhanced REANNZ Network.

Our weathermap will be updated when the circuit goes live.

The REANNZ Statement of Intent can be found on our website.

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eResearch Symposium preparation

The 3rd New Zealand eResearch Symposium will be held at Victoria University of Wellington, on Wednesday 4th – Friday 6th July, 2012.

In preparation for the Symposium, REANNZ and the University of Auckland are performing tuning activities over the REANNZ international link to Los Angeles (LAX) that will enable large file transfers using gridFTP. Testing will occur over the Los Angeles (LAX) link on Thursday 21st and Monday 25th June from 9:00am. You can watch the progress on the REANNZ Weathermap here.

If you are attending the Symposium come to our workshop to see live large file transfer demonstrations and learn what needs to be done to achieve them. The workshop is on 11-12:15pm Friday 6th July. You can also visit us at our booth.

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Knowledge Base

Have you seen our knowledge base?

We are developing a knowledge base that gathers together information from around the community and around the world on recent advances in networking technology and performance.

Currently you can find information on:

  • Science DMZ
  • Software Defined Networking and OpenFlow
  • Network Performance and Tuning

If there is anything you’d like to see here, or if you have useful content to add to our knowledge base, please let us know.

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REANNZ International Connectivity

Ever wondered if you can reach your international collaborators over the REANNZ Network?

This map shows you where we reach…

Networks are the common infrastructure that binds communities. At REANNZ, we form part of the research, education and innovation ecosystem, connecting participants in those sectors to each other and the world. Nearly all developed countries, and many developing countries, have a research network similar to REANNZ.

More information about our international connectivity can be found here, along with tools to see if your specific collaborator is on the other end of our network connections.

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KAREN Transition team recognised

The five Member representatives of the KAREN Transition Steering Group were recently recognised for their contribution to the successful completion of this project with KAREN Awards.

KAREN Transition 2010

The KAREN Transition 2010 was:

  • 149 Member connections migrated
  • 130 seconds average outage
  • 21 months of procurement, contracting and implementation

The successful transition of all KAREN Members to the new national and international network was no mean feat, and the Transition Steering Group were instrumental in guiding this project to a successful conclusion.

KAREN Champion awardees

The winners are:

  • Phil Mansford, Victoria University of Wellington
  • Richard Hanschu, University of Canterbury
  • Stuart Innes, Plant & Food Research
  • Anthony Cole, NIWA
  • Keith Linforth, Massey University

The KAREN Awards Hall of Fame features all award winners.

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FX completes the network build for KAREN

FX Networks has announced their completion of the fibre optic network build for KAREN’s new national network.

FX completes delivery of new national connectivity for the KAREN and goes live in 5 new cities

In a media release issued yesterday, FX Networks, judged by TUANZ this year as the next generation fibre optic network announced the completion of the delivery of KAREN’s new national network in record time and on budget.

Media release from FX Networks

As announced in June, FX was awarded the national connectivity contract for KAREN. A new NZ land speed record for rolling out the next generation network was achieved. As part of the rollout, FX added 530km of mainly rural fibre in six months.

In the final stages of the project fibre was being ‘spliced’ together at a rate of 1 new fibre per minute on average. More than 20 fibre crews were deployed on the project. 19 Multi-gigabit Lightpaths were provisioned around the network in a matter of weeks.

Also central to the success of the project was the relationship between FX and it’s urban and rural dark fibre partners, Citylink, Enable, Flute, Network Tasman, Inspired Networks, Unison and Electricity Ashburton. Vector Communications, Alpine Energy and Network Waitaki were also involved.

As a result of this build, and thanks to the KAREN investment, the FX Network is now live in 5 new cities – Nelson, Ashburton, Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin potentially reaching into another 20,000 businesses in the South Island via Local Fibre Companies and wholesale relationships with companies including Telecom NZ.

FX Networks GM Jamie Baddeley says the speed of the rollout is testament to FX’s ability to deliver advanced networking all around NZ. “Our customers are happy and the FX team has done an amazing job delivering such a significant project in such a short space of time.” “Our partnerships with the LFC’s in various cities and towns around the country have also helped us deliver this great outcome to the advanced networking community in New Zealand..” “..what also made a difference was the pragmatic, outcomes focused approach to the project by the team at REANNZ.”

Donald Clark, CEO of REANNZ says “We’ve been impressed by FX’s ability to deliver to our unique network and service requirements, on time and to the high standards we set. We are confident that FX and its partners can deliver the responsive, pragmatic, forward-thinking service required for our members’ specialist needs.”

Media release on the FX Networks website

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KAREN’s new look

In fitting with the kick-off of New Zealand Fashion Week today, we are pleased to reveal the reworked KAREN network map, creatively depicting the reach of KAREN from late December 2010. We are also excited to unveil the brand new KAREN supplier map, representing KAREN’s supplier community in a vibrant palette.

KAREN network map from December 2010

The KAREN network map shows the topology of KAREN in New Zealand and internationally. This new map depicts our intended network status from late December 2010 following the completion of the regional spurs and new international and national connectivity. These developments will be phased in over the next few months.

Visit our Network map page to view the PoP location key.

KAREN supplier map

REANNZ has successfully encouraged participation by multiple telecommunications sector partners in the supply of KAREN. This map displays the scale of the diversity of supply across KAREN from late December 2010.

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KAREN’s global connectivity expanded: media release

KAREN’s international network capacity between Australia and New Zealand has been doubled in capacity in response to Member demand.

REANNZ has signed an agreement with Verizon Business to double KAREN’s current international network capacity between Australia and New Zealand from 155Mb/s to 310Mb/s.

This upgrade was driven by strong growth in the use of KAREN’s international network by KAREN Members, and will be provided at no extra cost to Members.

“Our Members have aggressively embraced the opportunities KAREN provides for communicating and collaborating with their international colleagues. Their participation in international research and education over KAREN has increased so much that we are growing the capacity of KAREN to meet their needs. This expansion in capacity will ensure our Members can continue to participate in and lead big global science activities and further embed themselves in international research programmes.

“The fact that we are having to make this upgrade in international capacity ahead of schedule is a strong sign that the KAREN community is leading the charge in developing the weightless economy New Zealand needs to survive”, said Donald Clark.

The upgrade in capacity is being provided by REANNZ’s existing network partner, Verizon Business, and will be in place shortly. Savings made on recent network contracts have enabled this additional capacity to be provided within existing budgets.

REANNZ is currently developing its plans to procure longer-term, larger links to the global research and education community.

More information

You can also find this and other media releases on our Media and Communications page.

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