Document Managed by Network Operations

The Rutgers University data network, known as RUNet, is a high-speed metropolitan area network consisting of ten (10) enterprise-class routers with redundant power supplies, interconnected by 10 GigabitEthernet (GE) optical links. The 10GE routers integrate superior hardware properties such as a 720 Gbps switching fabric with a forwarding engine delivering 40 Gbps of switching capacity per slot. The topology of the 10 GE core is hierarchical consisting of two (2) top-level core nodes in the New Brunswick/Piscataway area. The two core nodes are geographically diverse and interconnected by a high-speed 40Gbps EtherChannel bundle. There are the four (4) metro campuses at the distribution layer: Busch, Livingston, Cook/Douglass and College Ave. Each campus is backed by a pair of 10GE campus distribution routers. Each campus distribution router has a 10GE connection to its campus mate and a 10GE connection up to one of the top-level core nodes. This interconnecting scheme provides resiliency and redundancy in the event of a fiber or equipment failure. At the bottom layer are the campus access routers, each with a 1Gbps Ethernet connection to each campus distribution router.   The design is a classic enterprise configuration.

RUNet is also multicast enabled, supporting the exchange of internal and Internet2 multicast data and video content. The 10GE core includes multicast replication hardware whereby content is replicated in hardware by application specific IC's and not software switched by the main route processor in the machine.

In addition to RUNet is an extranet known as Rutgers Regional Network (RRN), which functions as a meeting point for external connectivity to s ervice providers, educational and business partners of the Rutgers community. RRN connects Rutgers to Sprint (OC-12 SONET 622Mbps) and to NJEDGE.NET (metro GigabitEthernet provisioned at 600Mbps) for Internet service, and to Internet2 and New Jersey higher education institutions (metro GigabitEthernet provisioned at 400Mbps). The RRN infrastructure itself is interconnected by a dark fiber GigabitEthernet connection between the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses, and 2Gbps EtherChannel bundles down to RUNet core routers. The RRN infrastructure is powered by high-end networking equipment found in service provider cores throughout the world.