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September-October 2002
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The Ties that Bind: Forging a Solid Chain to the Internet
Chuck Wolfe and Robert Boyajian
Georgetown's network infrastructure acts as a chain, binding together the buildings on campus and linking them to the Internet. Now, we've all been told many, many times that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. So, how should UIS make sure our chain to the Internet doesn't break? We could check each link and make sure it's strong; or we could use two chains instead of just one. UIS is following both these strategies to ensure that the University enjoys fast, stable Internet connections.
Over the last three years, UIS has been looking for points of failure in our network and finding ways to improve these weak links. When this project began, there were more than twenty identified points of failure; after carefully reviewing and restructuring our network, we're now down to just a few. But sometimes our network is affected by events that occur outside of the University—events we have no control over. In these cases, building a redundant system is the key to stability.
Two chains (are better than one)
Starting this fall, the University will benefit from having not just one, but two separate, independent Internet connections. In addition to our previously existing connection through Verizon, Georgetown will now also receive Internet access through Cogent Communications. Now if a Verizon technician accidentally cuts the cable that provides Internet access to the entire University (as happened last year), we won't be plunged into Internet darkness. Instead, we will be able to depend on our connection through Cogent. Likewise, if the Cogent connection experiences any problems, we will be able to rely on our Verizon connection.
Why didn't we do this before?
Why didn't we do this a long time ago and spare ourselves the problems we experienced last year? It's not that it didn't occur to anyone, but getting fiber optic cable to Georgetown hasn't been easy. Until recently, Verizon was the only ISP that had cable in place. While the recent construction on M Street has caused many headaches, it has also allowed companies to lay down more cable and improve what was there before. But the real breakthrough came when UIS was able to work out a deal allowing Cogent Communications to use some cable that Starpower had already laid in the Car Barn. It took some creative thinking and negotiating on the part of some UIS personnel; fortunately, UIS has always supported innovative solutions to our technology problems.
How will the two connections work?
Cogent will provide our primary path to sites on the Internet, while Verizon's circuit will provide a secondary path. The two ISPs will exchange Internet traffic with each other, sharing the demand between both of our Internet connections. Users will notice that connections to the Internet are faster and more.
Our present Internet 2 connection will remain the primary path for educational networks connected directly to Internet 2.
Strong links
The Cogent pathway will use a Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) connection to the Internet. This will increase our bandwidth from 45 Mbps (megabits per second) to 1000 Mbps and provide much faster connections. In the next few weeks, the last two "low speed" connections on Georgetown's network backbone will be upgraded, allowing all of the campus community to get maximum use from the Gig-E Internet circuit. Soon, our Verizon pathway will also be upgraded to a Gig-E connection; in the meantime, it will continue running at 45 Mbps, providing us with a secondary pathway and redundancy in case of problems. Even casual users will enjoy a noticeable improvement, to power users, these changes will provide a welcome relief to Internet slowdowns.
Chuck Wolfe is a UIS senior network engineer. Robert Boyajian is technical editor for UIS.
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