Network Architecture

The SLR network is designed to provide the best possible connectivity for research and education. The network is constructed using DWDM optical gear over dark fiber and lambda access across the Southeastern United States. These resources give SLR the greatest flexibility in provisioning network services tailored to the needs of individual researchers.

The SLR network can provide users with a broad range of services from optical lambdas, to single or multi-Gigabit Ethernet channels to IPv4/v6 routed service. By controlling the data service all the way down to the optical wavelength, SLR is able to provide dedicated network paths without the congestion and delay variations normally experienced in current IPv4-based networks like the Internet and I2. The user's traffic can also be optically isolated from other network users, an important aspect for security sensitive applications.

In addition to the service benefits, the SLR architecture provides a significant cost benefit to SLR users versus traditional public network services. By utilizing dark fiber and lamdba access, SLR can provide high capacity data services at significantly less cost than a commercial service. This results in better network connectivity for research and education networks at lower cost.