UIC Network Connections to the vBNS and the InternetUIC Network Connections to the vBNS and the InternetNational Science Foundation Grant NCR-9613870
The UIC ATM network [glossary] consists of six Fore Systems' ASX-200 Series switches. Two of these switches form the ATM backbone used to interconnect the east and west sides of the campus and provide OC-3c connections to individual researchers, workstations, and research group switches. Workstations and switches communicate using a combination of PVCs, SVCs, and PVPs.
Plans are underway to shift our commodity Internet traffic from two dedicated DS-1 [glossary] circuits to a 10Mb PVC on our OC-3c link to the NAP [glossary]. We are currently in the process of registering the UIC domain with the Routing Arbiter to simplify the NAP peering process.
The physical layout of the UIC Academic Data Network is illustrated below; select the buttons at the bottom of the map to display alternate views.
In our current implementation, various research groups on campus communicate with each other, and other research sites, over the ATM network [glossary]. ATM-connected workstations use a combination of SVCs and PVCs. SVCs are used for on-campus workstation-to-workstation traffic. A Cisco 7513 router with an AIP (ATM Interface Processor) [glossary] provides access to UIC's non-ATM network as well as Internet access. PVCs are used when software or hardware limitations exist that preclude the use of SVCs.
QoS [glossary] guarantees will be achieved by setting bandwidth parameters on individual PVCs and PVPs. Two PVCs will be defined on UIC's external OC-3c: one for our commodity Internet traffic and the other for meritorious vBNS [glossary] traffic. By having two PVCs and setting the parameters on these PVCs individually, we can police our traffic to permit efficient and fair bandwidth allocation. The PVC to the vBNS will be upgraded to a PVP when the vBNS is capable of carrying native ATM traffic. The PVP will allow us to define a maximum bandwidth between the vBNS and UIC. Individual PVPs inside the PVP will allow us to define the bandwidth on a per application basis. Combinations of PVPs and PVCs can be created at any time for collaboration with other sites.
UIC will continue to work with NCSA and ANL to assure the highest quality implementations possible.
Phase I will connect UIC's meritorious projects with vBNS sites [glossary] over OC-3c. This is the simplest and quickest improvement. Our researchers will access the vBNS through our OC-3c to the NAP [glossary] and the DS-3 from the NAP to the Downers Grove MCI/CICnet [glossary] switch. Pending this improvement, permission to use the vBNS through the existing DS-3 connection to Downers Grove is requested. (The CICnet switch is located at MCI's Downers Grove site.)
Plan of action:
By upgrading UIC's vBNS [glossary] access to OC-12, MREN members [glossary] will benefit, as will all of the CIC universities [glossary]. Charter members of MREN include UIC, ANL, Fermi National Laboratory, Northwestern University, and the University of Chicago. CICnet is the network of the Big 10 universities plus University of Chicago and Penn State University.
Plan of action:
September 24, 1996
Please send comments or suggestions to:
www@uic.edu