Fore to build network with 2,200 connections at US NOAA research centre

Employing a high-performance asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network backbone enables NOAA to support a wide range of collaborative research activities at the Boulder center. A dozen ATM-connected Web servers at the new center also deliver more than 200 Gbits of data per day to researchers and the public through the Internet, linking users to a range of real-time and historical data on weather, geophysical events and other information.

NOAA's network consists of a dual OC-12 (622 Mbps) meshed backbone connecting to a total of 24 ForeRunner ASX-1000 backbone switches placed in intermediate distribution facilities (IDFs), or closets, throughout the Boulder campus. The ASX-1000s link to FORE ES-3810 LAN switches, providing desktop connectivity over either 10BaseT (10 Mbps) or 100BaseT (100 Mbps) switched Ethernet. Multiple ForeRunner ASN-9000 nodes provide route serving for LAN emulation (LANE), MPOA required to support more than 100 IP subnets, and other network services.

In addition to the primary Web servers, approximately 12 network users connect directly to the backbone over OC-3 (155 Mbps) ATM-to-the-desktop for video, video conferencing and other services.

The Boulder center houses six of the 12 laboratories that comprise NOAA's Environmental Research Laboratories (ERLs), including the Aeronomy Laboratory , the Climate Diagnostics Center, the Environmental Technology Laboratory, the Forecast Systems Laboratory, the Space Environment Center, and the Surface Radiation Research Branch of the Air Resources Laboratory.

ERL's goal is to conduct research, technology development and other services to enhance understanding of the Earth's oceans and inland waters, atmosphere, and outer space. The Boulder campus also houses the US National Geophysical Data Center, the National Weather Service Forecast Office, and the Mountain Administrative Support Center.