:::Introducing the Integrated Backbone:::


Search ITS \| User Guides \| \| Services \| \| Policies \| \| Forms \| \| Help \| \| Home \|
TNS Services Historical Overview The Current Generation of the Integrated Backbone Service Options of the Integrated Backbone The Integrated Backbone Conceptual Model Availability of the Integrated Backbone Integrated Backbone Inter-Campus Network Integrated Backbone Maintenance Demarcation Point Conclusion	The Penn State Integrated Backbone Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) is charged with providing connectivity among the University's local networks that support computing devices. Since 1986 TNS has managed the University's core network that provides the inter-connection between the University's many local networks, all the campuses, and the Internet. This core network, commonly called the Integrated Backbone (IB, formerly the Data Backbone), has gone through many generational upgrades since its inception. In fact, the average life of any iteration of the Integrated Backbone is three to four years. The upgrade that took place in the spring and summer of 2001 was the fifth complete upgrade of this network. This document describes the Integrated Backbone and provides details on the available services, connection methods, and other pertinent information. Penn State Data Backbone -- Historical Overview In 1985 Penn State's Telecommunications and Networking Services (TNS) undertook the task to design, develop, and manage a University-wide network to support instruction, research, and administrative computer applications. The network soon became known as the Data Backbone and became a production TNS service in late 1986. In 1998 the Data Backbone underwent its third major upgrade and was renamed the Integrated Backbone in recognition of it's new role as Penn State's central network for all communication technologies, not just computers. This network now supports the inter-connectivity of over 800 Local Area Networks (LANs) and 100,000 hosts at Penn State, as well as providing access to other computer resources and information available on the Internet. The hardware technology of the Integrated Backbone is based on Internet Protocol (IP) routers linked together with a variety of technologies. To date, at University Park, the linkage has used 10 and 80 megabit per second (Mbps) ProNets, 100 Mbps Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI), 622 Mbps (OC-12) Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology, and Multiple Gigabit Per Second Ethernet links. Although the Inter-campus network did not start at the same time as the network at University Park, it still provides the same capabilities and services to the other campuses although via the use of leased bandwidth circuits. During its life those circuits have been 56 kilobits per second (56 Kbps), 1 Mbps Switched Multimegabit Data Service (SMDS), and multiple 1.5 Mbps circuits. Currently the inter-campus links are either point-to-point DS-3 (45 Mbps), 100M Ethernet, OC-3 (155Mbps) or 10Gbps circuits. Back to Top The Current Generation of the Integrated Backbone During the spring and summer of 2001 the University Park portion of the Integrated Backbone was upgraded to its fifth technological generation. As usual, the primary reason for this upgrade was the continued exponential growth of traffic carried on the Integrated Backbone. See the Monthly Traffic through the Penn State Integrated Backbone chart for historical data on the traffic volume. Another reason for the upgrade was the need to support new connection methods to the Integrated Backbone and offer new services, in particular the support for new, Internet2-compatible methods to implement "Quality of Service" (QoS). Back to Top Service Options of the Integrated Backbone Beginning in 2002, the Integrated Backbone began offering a new connection option at the University Park campus called Gigabit Ethernet. Gigabit Ethernet represented a tenfold increase over the highest speed Ethernet connection then available on the IB. Recent networking evolution has allowed TNS to now offer a 5Gbps Service over 10G Ethernet. Other new Integrated Backbone connectivity options are under consideration and will be announced as soon as planning is finalized. As new technologies and applications requiring ever increasing amounts of bandwidth evolve, existing connection methods and their associated higher-level protocols may be discontinued. The discontinuance of these connection methods and previously supported services will undergo multi-year phase-outs. See the End of Service Announcement for a listing. Current Connection Methods 100Mbps Ethernet Gigabit Ethernet 5Gbps Service Interface Specifications 100 Mbps Ethernet - 100BaseFX (multi-mode, SC or MTRJ, full duplex only) Gigabit Ethernet - 1000BaseLX (single mode, SC, LC or MTRJ, full duplex, where single-mode fiber is available) 5Gigabit - Offered over 10GBase-LR Ethernet (single mode, SC or LC, full duplex, where single-mode fiber is available) With any interface type, users may expect: One way latency < 25ms Loss < .001% packets Jitter < 5ms Measured at 1Mbps These Service Levels are measured from a typical customer router interface across the Integrated Backbone to a similar interface on a different router. Characteristics are measured outside of maintenance windows or inter-campus redundancy and assume continued capacity management by TNS. Non-Campus Bandwidth Options (Non-campus bandwidth options are defined in this document as locations that are not directly served by the Penn State fiber cable plant) Customers at non-campus locations may receive 100Mbps Ethernet connections to the Integrated Backbone via DS-1 circuits (multiples of 1.5Mbps) or DS-3 (45Mbps) Transport Standard The Integrated Backbone will r oute properly formatted IPv4 or IPv6 packets Optional Route properly formatted IP multicast packets (IPv4 only) Forward properly formatted DHCP packets between customer interface(s) and the central TNS DHCP server. Services Standard Provide source address filtering on all IP packets entering the Integrated Backbone Suppress IP directed broadcast packets leaving the Integrated Backbone and targeted at directly connected subnets See Integrated Backbone Trust Model Optional Provide static routing from the Integrated Backbone to Penn State subnets not directly connected to the Integrated Backbone but that appear on customer-maintained routers Back to Top The Integrated Backbone Conceptual Model The diagram entitled The Penn State Integrated Backbone - Conceptual View shows the components used in TNS' hubs that create the core of the Integrated Backbone. Collectively, these components create the University-wide transport layer to which other organizations' local networks are attached. The sum of all these networks (the TNS core and organizational level local nets) is Penn State's portion of the worldwide Internet. The diagram shows what components TNS uses in a typical hub both at University Park and at other locations. It also shows how the hubs are linked to one another at University Park and the inter-campus network. See the Penn State Integrated Backbone Diagram (Printer Friendly Version) for the most up-to-date, and very detailed view of the entire Integrated Backbone. Back to Top Availability of the Integrated Backbone Integrated Backbone connecctions are gated by the availability of cabling infrastructure that serves any particular location and the availability of spare fiber pairs. In general, Integrated Backbone connection speeds at OC-3 (155Mbps) or less are accomplished by using multi-mode fiber and speeds greater than OC-3 require single-mode fiber. The only exception is for certain University Park buildings that are located well outside the campus core and only have single-mode fiber (SMF) available. Back to Top Integrated Backbone Inter-Campus Network The portion of the Integrated Backbone that provides connectivity between Penn State's multiple campus locations is commonly referred to as the Inter-campus network. The network can be seen on the Penn State Statewide IP Network diagram (Printer Friendly Version). In order to improve performance within this network, a major upgrade to the inter-campus bandwidth took place during fiscal year 2000/2001 which took connectivity to all non-University Park campus locations to DS-3 (45 Mbps) circuits. Since that time, on-going, continued enhancements have increased various individual links to 100Mbps Ethernet, OC-3 (155Mbps) and even 10Gbps rates. In order to provide a level of connectivity to Penn State’s campuses should these primary circuits fail, a system of redundant networks using alternate providers and paths have been implemented. System wide usage measurements of the primary links were taken and redundancy bandwidth increases were allocated at various campus locations based on the outcome of the measurements. The results can be viewed at http://tns.its.psu.edu/services/IB/redundbw.html Back to Top Integrated Backbone Maintenance TNS maintains the Penn State Integrated Backbone. This maintenance includes the following: Contract Vendor Support Environmental Management Proactive Monitoring Proactive Upgrade and Repair Technology Upgrades Transport Guarantee Component Testing Real-Time Alarms Support Staff Training Components Purchased through TNS TNS-provided, User-Operated Diagnostic Tool TNS also provides maintenance of customer connections to the Integrated Backbone. There are no separate fees charged for this service. These maintenance services include: On-Site Service Phone Consultation Remote Diagnostics Stocking of Spares Back to Top Integrated Backbone Demarcation Point The Integrated Backbone includes all devices and cabling necessary to support packet transmission between the interfaces defined below. It includes devices such as routers and the inter-router transport network, inter- and intra-building cabling (and the associated conduit space), and the software needed to enable communications between the routers. A local network is one that provides a packet transmission path among user locations independent of the existence of the Integrated Backbone. Local network components include devices such as Ethernet switches, ATM switches, and other equipment used for local area networking, as well as intra-building (and in some cases, inter-building) cabling. Attachment of the Integrated Backbone to the local network will be made via a cable from the router (supplied by TNS) to an interface (supplied by the using office) on the local network. The point where the Integrated Backbone interface cable meets the local network interface becomes the demarcation point. Everything from that point towards the Integrated Backbone is the responsibility of TNS. Everything from that point towards the local network is the responsibility of those operating that local network. Diagram A shows the demarcation points in the physical and logical perspectives. The cabling outside the building is subject to the provisions of the Policy on Inter-building Cabling. The physical connection is not all that is needed. In order for devices on the local network to communicate with devices on other local networks over the backbone they must use the TCP/IP protocol suite. Because of this, Information Technology Services (ITS@PennState, formerly known as the Office of Computer and Information Systems - C&IS) personnel may be heavily involved in making recommendations for hardware and software used on local networks attaching to the backbone. The amount of support needed will vary from organization to organization and will generally diminish over time, as the support of the local network is ultimately the responsibility of the organization operating the local net. As a service, its@PennState provides ongoing advice to organizations requesting it. Back to Top Conclusion Technology supporting the Integrated Backbone will be capable of satisfying present and future University transport requirements and, as mentioned above, will bring Penn State's network in line with the expected requirements of Internet2. Back to Top last update: 17 October 2006
The Pennsylvania State University © 2004. All rights reserved. Alternative Media Statement and Nondiscrimination Policy This site maintained by Telecommunications and Network Services, a unit of Information Technology Services. Provide site feedback to TNSWebmaster@mail.tns.its.psu.edu. 07/27/07