What Is The MetroNet Community VLAN?

The Community VLAN is a separate network which links all MetroNet members to each other.  It is comprised of single GigE connections to each of the MetroNet members from the Verizon GigE cloud.  At the member end is a Canoga Perkins switch, owned by Verizon, which in turn is connected to a Cisco 3550 switch, owned by the member.  At the Verizon end is one or more Cisco 6509 switches.

Each member’s Cisco 3550 switch is connected to a firewall which is in turn connected to the member’s internal network.  Verizon owns, manages and maintains the Verizon GigE Cloud.  Each member owns, manages and maintains it’s own cloud, including the Cisco 3550 and firewall.

What Is Its Purpose?

The original Diffusion Fund, which paid for the construction of the Verizon Cloud, was awarded to Syracuse MetroNet so that not only could each member construct its own private network, but could connect to all other members to share applications for their mutual benefit.  The design of the network to link all members resulted in the Community VLAN.  According to the original intent of the Diffusion Fund, both the private and community networks need to specifically target and benefit the underserved within the Syracuse community.  In this spirit, each community connection from the member’s cloud to the Verizon cloud is provided by Verizon at no monthly charge.

How Reliable Is The Community VLAN?

The Cisco 6509 core switches at the center of the Verizon GigE cloud and the Canoga Perkins switches at each member site are all part of the Verizon GigE Cloud.  The cloud is owned, managed and maintained exclusively by Verizon.  All connections are point-to-point fiber.  All equipment is kept at national standards set by Verizon for this GigE service, which is called the Transparent LAN Service, or TPLS.

The core 6509 switches were upgraded in November 2005. The upgrade reflects a corporate effort to provide service which is not only exceptionally reliable, but also has redundancy built into all core switches.  Since the TPLS went into operation in October of 1998 for the Syracuse City Schools, up-time has been better than any of its predecessors, including frame relay and point-to-point networks.  This is primarily due to the use of fiber circuits, rather than copper, and newer, more reliable switch technology.

Both the private network of each member and the Community VLAN share this very same structure.  Both are linked by fiber.  Both have redundancy at the core.  Both have been and continue to be exceptionally reliable.

Since the fiber connections are point-to-point from Verizon to each member, should mission critical, life and death, applications be run over the Community VLAN, it is suggested that a second redundant fiber connection be installed at each MetroNet member so effected, with a second Canoga Perkins switch, Cisco 3550 and firewall, and that the resulting new circuit be configured as fall-over.  While the Community VLAN connection has no monthly cost, this second circuit would bear a monthly charge from Verizon.

Does the MetroNet Owned Cisco 6506 Manage Communication Between Syracuse MetroNet Members Over the Community VLAN?

The Cisco 6506, owned, managed and maintained by Syracuse MetroNet and located in the State Tower Building, is not involved in the communication/application sharing process between Syracuse MetroNet members over the Community VLAN.  This device currently serves the following purposes:

1. It is the interface for Time Warner Telecom and Fibertech, the Internet Service Providers selected by Syracuse MetroNet to provide primary and backup Internet service, to those members who wish to participate.   This service is then delivered over the Community VLAN, from the State Tower Building to each individual member, using separate vlans. Internet 2 service from NYSERNet is also delivered in the same manner to LeMoyne College.

2.  It also serves as the link between MetroNet and The Development Authority of the North Country, DANC.  Redundant fiber connections run from DANC equipment located in the Time Warner Telecom Data Center, and the MetroNet 6506, also located in the same data center.  This link currently allows courts in the North Country to connect via the Community VLAN to Onondaga County, and then to the Unified Court System of New York State.