                  Internet Access within Westnet

Introduction

This document provides details pertinent to obtaining Internet access 
within the Westnet region. The Westnet region encompasses the states of 
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, and the southern half of 
Idaho. Westnet is an unincorporated association that coordinates networking 
among the individual states within the region, wherein there are two 
formal, incorporated state networks: Colorado SuperNet, and New Mexico 
Technet. In the other Westnet states, there are unincorporated state 
networking associations. Generally, it is through these state networking 
entities that connections to the Internet within Westnet are accomplished. 

The philosophy of Westnet is to deploy networking within the region to the 
widest extent, and at the lowest possible cost, to the greatest public 
good. The Westnet community believes that networking is an enabling 
technology, and provides the greatest benefit when in the hands of the 
users. To this extent, Westnet maintains an extremely "lean" operation, and 
relies heavily on the spirit of cooperation fostered over the years with 
its many sites. Westnet's goal is to maintain a network infrastructure that 
is ubiquitous, egalitarian and frugal. 


Westnet Management

Westnet is a joint project of Colorado State University, which serves a 
management role, and the University of Colorado at Boulder, which provides 
technical expertise. Westnet is managed by Dr. Pat Burns of Colorado State 
University. This management encompasses several responsibilities: (1) 
carrying out the policy established by the Westnet Steering Committee, 
which governs Westnet, (2) interacting with federal agencies, (3) entering 
into regional agreements with service providers (such as CIX and ANS for 
commercial traffic) and vendors such as Cisco Systems, Inc. (for 
maintenance for the Westnet point-of-presence routers), and (4) billing, 
ordering and tracking equipment and circuits. The management contact 
information is: 


    Dr. Pat Burns, Westnet
    Academic Computing and Network Services
    601 South Howes
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523
    (303) 491-7260
    pburns@westnet.net

Information may also be obtained from:

    Ms. Diana Rose, Westnet
    Academic Computing and Network Services
    601 South Howes
    Colorado State University
    Fort Collins, CO 80523
    (303) 491-1577
    diana@yuma.ACNS.ColoState.EDU


Westnet NOC

Westnet provides a Network Operations Center (NOC), which monitors 
circuits, accomplishes routing, interacts with federal networking agencies 
such as MERIT (which runs the NSFNet backbone), and provides technical 
coordination among the sites within the region. The Westnet NOC also tests 
new technologies (such as SMDS and Frame Relay), and plans for their 
deployment. In general, the Westnet NOC is responsible for the performance 
and the reliability of the network within the region. The Westnet NOC also 
provides general technical assistance to the sites within Westnet. The 
Westnet Network Engineer is: 

    Mr. Chris Garner, Westnet
    Computing and Network Services
    3645 Marine Street
    University of Colorado
    Boulder, CO 80309-0455
    (303) 492-5860
    cgarner@westnet.net

The technical manager of Westnet is Mr. David C. M. Wood, who functions 
part time. Mr. Wood may be contacted at: 

    Mr. David C. M. Wood, Westnet
    Computing and Network Services
    3645 Marine Street
    University of Colorado
    Boulder, CO 80309-0455
    (303) 492-4905
    dcmwood@spot.colorado.EDU

Internet Access and Connections

Internet access within Westnet is accomplished within the individual 
states, sometimes through the state networking entities, and sometimes 
through individual sites. We address these on a case by case basis, by 
state. 

Internet access of two types may be accomplished: (1) via a dedicated 
connection where the network is brought to your site, or (2) via dial-in. A 
dedicated connection requires that your site have a router which is 
connected to a Westnet router through a dedicated connection (usually a 
digital circuit). Dedicated connections may be at various speeds, ranging 
from very slow speed access through modems running at 14,400 baud over an 
ordinary phone circuit, or at higher speeds through a digital circuit. 
Dedicated connections are appropriate when a number of people wish 
simultaneous access to the Internet. To summarize the connection speeds and 
capabilities, speeds and technology, we provide the table below. 

Table 1  Direct connection types and technologies.


  Name             Speed         Type of Circuit   Simultaneous
                                                     Users
--------------   -----------   ------------------   --------
Very slow speed  14,400 baud   ordinary phone line  about 12
Slow speed       56,000 bps    56 kbps digital      about 40
High Speed      1,544,000 bps  T-1 digital          about 1,000
Very High Speed 10 million bps    TLS               about 10,000


Generally, direct connections are made to the state backbone nodes. In 
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, the state backbones are 
interconnected at T-1 speeds, ensuring good network access. Below, we 
describe how connections are accomplished in individual states. 

Dial-in connections of a variety of types are possible, including simple 
terminal access (this is the "old" manner of dialing in via an asynchronous 
modem, and is usually used to access a computer on the network), SLIP 
(Serial Line Internet Protocol), PPP (Point to Point Protocol), or uucp. 

Arizona

Arizona is connected to the NSFNet backbone via its T-1 link at the 
University of Arizona. The state backbone in Arizona consists of a T-1 link 
between the University of Arizona in Tucson, and Arizona State University 
in Tempe. Northern Arizona University is also connected to Arizona State 
University, but at 56 kbps. Connections within Arizona are accomplished to 
individual sites. 

Both dedicated connections and the full spectrum of dial-in services are 
available. For more information, including prices, contact: 

Arizona State University

Mr. Darel Eschbach
Telecommunications Services
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 85287-0201
(602) 965-4650
icsdde@asucad.bitnet

University of Arizona

Dr. Larry Rapagnani
Vice President for Information Technology
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 86721
(602) xxx
rapagnani@dirnet.ccit.arizona.edu

Colorado

Colorado is connected to the NSFNet through the University of Colorado at 
Boulder. The state backbone in Colorado includes sites at Colorado School 
of Mines in Golden, Colorado State University in Fort Collins, the 
Universities of Colorado at Colorado Springs and Denver, and the University 
of Denver. 

Colorado has a mature networking organization, Colorado SuperNet, directed 
by Guy Cook. Inexpensive, full-featured dial-in services are available 
ubiquitously within the state. Connections to the Internet in Colorado are 
accomplished via Colorado SuperNet. For more information, contact: 

Mr. Guy Cook, Director
Colorado SuperNet, Inc.
999 18th Street
Suite # 2640
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 296-8202
gcook@csn.org

Idaho

Southern Idaho has formed a state networking association called IdaNet. 
This association has established prices and services for the state. 
Connections in Idaho are made through IdaNet, and include direct 
connections at either of three sites: Boise State University (BSU), Idaho 
State University (ISU) in Pocatello, or the Idaho National Engineering 
Laboratory (INEL) in Idaho Falls. Access to the NSFNet is through INEL. 

Dial-in is also offered at the level of terminal service, and is
available at BSU or ISU.

Prices for direct connections are currently:

    56 kbps   $xxx per year    Site must provide own circuit and
                                 equipment
    T-1       $xxx per year    Site must provide own circuit and
                                 equipment

Mr. Steve Maloney
Associate Vice president for Information Technology
1910 University Drive
Boise State University
Boise, ID 83725
(208) 385-1155
dusmalon@idbsu.idbsu.edu

New Mexico

New Mexico is connected to the NSFNet backbone via its T-1 link at New 
Mexico Technet (NMT) in Albuquerque. The state backbone in New Mexico 
consists of a T-1 link from NMT to the University of New Mexico in 
Albuquerque, to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in 
Socorro, and then to New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. 

Connections within New Mexico to the Internet are accomplished through New 
Mexico Technet, a very mature state network. NMT offers dial-in throughout 
the state including terminal access and SLIP, and accommodates DECNET as 
well. 

For more information, contact:

Ms. Marianne Granoff
New Mexico Technet
4100 Osuna, Suite 103
Albuquerque, NM 87109
(505) 345-6555
granoff@technet.nm.org

Utah

Utah is connected directly to the NSFNet backbone via the NSFNet site at 
the University of Utah (U of U). The state backbone in Utah consists of T-1 
links from the U of U in Salt Lake City to both Brigham Young University 
(BYU) in Provo, and Utah State University (USU) in Logan. Many of the 
institutions of higher education in Utah are also connected to the 
Internet, some at T-1 and others at 56 kbps. 

Connections within Utah are accomplished through individual sites.

Both dedicated connections and the full spectrum of dial-in services are 
available. For more information, including prices, contact: 

Brigham Young University

Mr. Kelly McDonald
Director of Computing and Information Technology
167 TMCB
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602
(801) 378-4951
kcm@byu.edu

Utah State University

Mr. Ray Rawlins
Computer Services
Utah State University
Logan, UT 84322-3700
(801) 750-2401
ray@usu.edu

University of Utah

Mr. Ed Sharp, Director
Computer Center
3440 Merrill Engineering Building
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
(801) 581-6575
sharp@cc.utah.edu

Wyoming

Wyoming is connected to the NSFNet backbone via its T-1 link at the 
University of Wyoming. The state network in Wyoming consists of a higher 
education network. Connections within Wyoming are accomplished to the 
University of Wyoming. 

Both dedicated connections and the full spectrum of dial-in services are 
available. For more information, including prices, contact: 

Dr. Bill Walden
Vice President for Information Technology
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82701
wewalden@corral.uwyo.edu
(307) 766-4863


