Service Advisory on Internet/Intranet

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Service Advisory on Internet/Intranet

The network that SUNY uses for its intranet, i.e., networking for special SUNY-to-SUNY applications, like payroll, purchasing, and Aleph, is changing dramatically with the new 2002 SUNYNet design. Also, use of the Internet in SUNY is changing due to the favorable pricing of the State AT&T contract and the upcoming expiration of the SUNY/NYSERNet contract (Dec. 2002). Since the opening of the new AT&T contract last May, about 35 campuses have switched to, or added, AT&T Internet. SUNYNet Technology Services has sent campus network administrators notices about these changes and they will soon be sending each campus a detailed proposal for its use of the new intranet. These networking decisions will affect libraries using Multilis or Aleph 500. This is a good time to talk with networking administrators to explain the library's interest in obtaining good network access to commercial and SUNY resources.

Information on SUNYNet's intranet upgrade is at http://www5.sunynet.suny.edu/02-overview.shtml. SUNYNet planners recognize that campuses differ widely in their needs; so they are offering a wider variety of connection options than in the past. You can see the details at http://www5.sunynet.suny.edu/02-options.shtml. We have analyzed the options from a library perspective and present our recommendations and summary below.

SUNYNet plans to propose that State-operated campuses get at least a 1024K intranet line and that Community Colleges keep the same speeds they have now: 128K and 384K. There will be no 56K offering. They will not emphasize having AT&T as an Internet provider, but their designs allow for a successful blending of AT&T Internet traffic on a 1.5M (T1) intranet line. The intranet itself is based on AT&T's Internet services, making it convenient and inexpensive for campuses to have AT&T for at least some of their Internet. The new costs look good. Except for some of the campuses that have been on 56K, costs will drop significantly.

Members of OLIS and SUNYNet are available to discuss these complex issues with campus network administrators and library staff. Please contact Connie Perrin (e-mail perrinco@sysadm.suny.edu) if you would like to schedule a conference call with us.

Multilis and Aleph 500
With funding built into the financial plans of LAIP and SUNYConnect, the OLIS intends to provide appropriate internet/intranet bandwidth on the AT&T network to any Multilis or Aleph 500 server we install and support. Libraries that use DECnet for access to Multilis must convert to TCP/IP or select one of the SUNYNet services that allow for continuation of DECnet: Cases 1 through 7. Aleph 500 does not use DECnet.

Our recommendations:

1. Intranet: We recommend that campuses get a dedicated AT&T line for SUNY-to-SUNY communications. In SUNYNet's new terminology, this would be Cases 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. For most State-Operated campuses a T1 line will be adequate, while Community Colleges will probably be fine at 128K.

2. Internet: We recommend that campuses get good access to AT&T's Internet (i.e. not Case 5, 7, 8, or 10). Non-AT&T Internet services can provide good access to SUNYConnect electronic resources, but access may be better over AT&T if we are able to get some of our resource vendors to use AT&T. As we begin to get a majority of campuses onto a single major national provider, for the first time, this is becoming reasonable. Having one underlying network provider will also help tremendously in troubleshooting problems. SUNYNet's new intranet design allows campuses to have access to AT&T and other ISPs. This opens the possibility of designing the campus LAN to dedicate the library traffic to AT&T.

OLIS' Analysis of SUNYNet's Cases

Case 1 - Intranet on a single line (T1, DS3) combined with general Internet as a lower priority.

	This case will work fine with Multilis/Aleph 500. The OLIS will need to ensure that AT&T Class of Service is applied to the line on the host side.
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 2 - Intranet on a single T1 combined with some general Internet as a lower priority; Most general Internet on separate AT&T lines (T1, DS3, OC3)

	This case will work fine with Multilis/Aleph 500. The OLIS will need to ensure that AT&T Class of Service is applied to the line on the host side.
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 3 - Intranet on a single T1; General Internet on separate AT&T lines (T1, DS3, OC3)

	This is a preferred configuration for both accessing both Multilis and Aleph 500. Many State-Operated campuses will select this configuration due to their requirements to use business systems located at SUNY Systems Administration. We recommend Community Colleges consider doing this Case with 128K, 384K or 512K.
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 4 - Intranet on multiple AT&T T1s combined with general Internet

	This configuration will work only if there is adequate bandwidth that is well managed by the campus (e.g. packet shaping).
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 5 - Intranet on a single T1; Other ISP for general Internet

	This is a good configuration for accessing both Multilis and Aleph 500, but we have concerns about accessing electronic resources over non-AT&T ISPs. Many State-Operated campuses will select this configuration due to their requirements to use business systems located at SUNY System Administration. We recommend Community Colleges using other Internet service providers consider doing this Case with 128K, 38K or 512K
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 6 - Intranet on a single T1; combined with general Internet as a lower priority; Other ISP for general Internet

	This case will work fine with Multilis/Aleph 500. The OLIS will need to ensure that AT&T Class of Service is applied to the line on the host side.
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 7 - Intranet routing on Other ISP

	This configuration is not recommended. Campuses selecting this method may experience response time problems with Multilis or Aleph 500.
	DECnet allowed through SUNYNet tunnels
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 8 - Customize private link

This case is not recommended. It offers a non-routed data link and is mostly here to accommodate IBM business traffic where an application cannot use DECnet or IP.

Case 9 - No intranet, accessing campuses through AT&T

	This case may work for many campuses accessing Multilis and Aleph 500, especially community colleges. If problems arise, the solution is to add a separate AT&T intranet connection, or increase AT&T Internet bandwidth.
	No DECnet
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

Case 10 - No intranet, access campuses through other ISP

	This case is not recommended. Campuses selecting this method may experience response time problems with Multilis or Aleph 500.
	No DECnet
	Access to electronic resources will be adequate if campus Internet service is well managed.

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