Next Generation State Network

1. Next Generation State Network Don McDaniel, DIS Network Services Division Administrator

2. Upgrading the State Network • Replace current State Network technology (Frame Relay and ATM) used since the early 1990’s • Bid opened on October 11, 2010 • Previously delayed bidding a Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) network because of cost. Quotes were 10 – 12% higher than current costs. • Wide Area Network (WAN) Ethernet is now more cost effective than other technologies • DIS bid a vendor a MPLS backbone with WAN Ethernet and Point to Point Protocol (PPP) connectivity to end sites

3. Upgrading the State Network cont. • More cost effective bandwidth with many more bandwidth options • More Quality of Service (QoS) options (min 4) • More robust and redundant backbone • Scheduled to award November 2010 • Will require buildout of vendor networks to meet state needs • DIS will work with vendors to schedule conversions as vendor networks are ready

4. Upgrading the State Network cont. • Convert an area at a time to reduce travel time to agency sites and disconnect existing leased backbone circuits as soon as clear • Should take 18-24 months to complete move after start date • Site growth can be managed outside of conversion schedule if vendor is ready • Replace rented site routers with next generation devices as each site is converted

5. Consumer Class Internet • Provides high bandwidth solutions with lower service level options for non-business critical Internet applications • Bid issued and will open on November 1, 2010 • Can be used to aggregate Internet traffic between business critical (State Network) and non-critical (Consumer Class Internet) based on destination IP • Aggregation achieved in the site router or in a device that provides for ease of user administration, failover, and dashboard features

6. Consumer Class Internet cont. • A BEE (Bandwidth for Educational Enhancement) Initiative project started with six (6) K-12 schools to test concept • Will test ECESSA and FatPipe aggregation devices and an appliance from M86 (Internet content filter provider) for content filtering • Some agencies may use service as only Internet service or for public use Internet access (example - Parks and Tourism)

7. State Video Network • State video network in place since early 1990’s • The bridging and scheduling has been outsourced to AT&T since inception and is now in the third generation • Currently providing approximately 26,000 site hours/month with 550 end point systems • Current contract has one 12 month extension remaining as of February 2011 • Concern about high cost of current bridging and scheduling with our vendor • Today our vendor has bridges in four (4) Central Offices managing both IP and 85 non-IP (H.320) video systems

8. State Video Network cont. • With one large bridge and no H.320 systems the costs could be significantly reduced • Most H.320 systems are relatively new and can handle IP video. • Providing for H.320 bridging will increase the bridging hardware cost by 40% • Should DIS rebid soon (E-rate available) or purchase (no E-rate) with a proposed cutover in June 2011 (after spring school term) • DIS applied for $500K RUS grant • Awarded grant could be used to reduce purchase price

9. State Video Network cont. • Owning would allow for more rate flexibility to accommodate new video services • If purchased, DIS would need to plan a revenue stream for four-five (4-5) years to cover investment • A video sub-committee of the State Network Working Group will address future needs and direction of the State Video Network • The group represents current video users and is chaired by Solomon Graves from the Arkansas Parole Board

10. Need more information? Want to provide input? Contact - Don McDaniel don.mcdaniel@arkansas.gov