Page 11 - OIT Progress Report 2014

LEARN and Data Center Connectivity
SMU has completed the implementation of a high speed, scalable data network in partner- ship with the LoneStar Education and Research Network (LEARN). Through this partnership, LEARN was extended to the University Data Center (UDC), Patterson Data Center, and SMU- in-Plano. This network connects all three data centers with dedicated fiber. Data speeds can grow from 1 gigabits per second (Gb/s) to 100 Gb/s. As the technology evolves, higher speeds will become available. SMU has already increased data speeds from 1 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s. This accommodates backup data traffic, as well as some of the campus research traffic. This endeavor provides a scalable, cost-efficient, just-in-time delivery platform that directly aligns with SMU’s strategic initiative of increasing focus on computation research. As this research increases, we can more easily adjust and increase the bandwidth as needed.
Internet Bandwidth Increase
Complementing our LEARN expansion, we increased SMU’s Internet bandwidth to support the Residential Commons expansion. Our speeds went from 2 Gb/s to 10 Gb/s, Internet2 (a spe- cial connection shared between international leaders in research, academia, industry, and government) Microsoft, 141, 4% increased from 10 Gb/s to 100 Gb/s, and paid Google, 246, 6% Internet subscription speeds rose from 800
958, 24%
nies and negotiated direct, peer-to- peer, Internet connections to their services. We no longer have to pay for Internet traffic that is directly for-
Internet2 Houston,
megabits per second to 1.6 Gb/s.
Savings on Internet Subscription
Sites such as Apple (iTunes), Google,
Microsoft, and Netflix make up over
34% of Texas universities’ Internet
1053, 27% traffic. As a cost savings, the LEARN
Netflix, board approached these compa-
Internet2 Dallas, 414, 10%
warded to their services, reducing the overall amount of subscription Internet we need to purchase. This not TR-CPS, 1170, 29% only reduces cost, but also decreases the amount of time to download content
from these services.
Backup Internet Connections
North Texas LEARN creates redundant connec- tions between universities. Should one connec- tion break, another route is available to ensure Internet access.
TWU UNT
SMU-in-Plano
Denton Ring
Akard
Infomart
UTD
SMU Dallas Campus
3
Objective 6: Support of doctoral pro- grams resulting in increases in research productivity and creative achievement.
Dallas Metro
Irving Blvd
11