SANReN South African National Research Network

What is SANReN? A very large scale, high capacity National Research and Education Network (NREN) A DST initiative, closely aligned with CHPC Designed specifically for connecting public and other research and education organisations together and to international networks such as GéANT Designed in line with international best practice

Low cost infrastructure for research CHPCCHPC SANReNSANReN DATADATA Cyber Infrastructure What is SANReN?

What is SANREN cont. Will allow researchers in South Africa to collaborate with their colleagues locally and internationally Will support other large scale initiatives such as SALT, KAT, eVLBI and SKA All require high capacity communications infrastructure Base capacity is 10Gbps Exclusively via a country-wide fiber optic network

Current progress..1 Addressing legal issues Network to be implemented with licensed telecommunications network operators Neotel – Provided a “managed dark fibre cable” in Johannesburg Telkom – Provided 2 x 10Gbps links to HartRAO Telkom – Quote for connectivity to NECSA, SAAO and SALT in progress License exemption Rules are in place Application in progress awaiting CSIR Board Approval

Current progress..2 Johannesburg Ring Initial Ring in place and working Final acceptance of Neotel fibre imminent Full installation will commence when fibre handed over to SANReN Tshwane Fibre Ring MoA signed – implementation and testing on fibre to commence Accommodation upgrade in progress at CSIR campus Cape Town Metro Fibre Letter of Intent Signed Contractual negotiations commenced CHPC accommodation upgrade in progress

Current progress..3 National 10 Ge Ring Order to be placed with Infraco SKA/KAT will be served by Infraco International Connectivity Seacom (Tenet capacity) will be made available over SANReN (July 2009) Fully supporting the Infraco AWCC initiative on the West Coast

Current progress..4 Partners BCX will install and provide maintenance support for the network fro 3 years. TENET a operating partner Network partners such as Telkom, Neotel, Infraco Metropolitan Councils for fibre cable such as Tshwane and Cape Town Cisco as an end to end equipment provider

Challenges and Issues Explaining, defining, cajoling and convincing stakeholders, partners & network partners SANReN is a unique network with very large scale requirements Define a new charging model based on capacity instead of per Mb/month Explaining unique capacity utilisation (less than 15% per month) Finding willing roll-out partners

Next steps Finalising international connectivity Implement plans for national connectivity Roll-out of network in the city metro’s Build an operational team around SANReN together with the CHPC and National Data Centre

Thank you! Questions? Christiaan Kuun Geoff Daniell