Kan-ed has constructed and
operates a high-quality, private network within Kansas.
This network consists of a core, or "backbone," connecting
19 Network Access Points (NAPs) via
high-speed communications lines,
to which some 200 member institutions
are connected. (Note that there is no path from the Kan-ed network to the commodity
Internet, because Kan-ed is not an Internet Service Provider.)
Network components are leased through Kansas' facility and equipment providers,
and individual sites contract with Kansas commercial communications
providers to be connected to a NAP, so that traffic between
connected Kan-ed members can traverse the Kan-ed
network instead of the commercial Internet.
In addition, traffic between a connected Kan-ed site and any
Internet2
site will traverse the Kan-ed backbone on its way to or from the Internet2
backbone network (Abilene). Kan-ed connects to the Abilene network
through the Kan-ed NOC in Lawrence and the GreatPlains Network (GPN)
Point-of-Presence (GigaPoP) in Kansas City.
Kan-ed operates a Network Operations Center to monitor, manage and develop
the Kan-ed network, and conducts continuous evaluation of services provided
by Kan-ed and the Kan-ed NOC.
