NTNC MEMBER MEETING - FALL 2004 Montana Report

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NTNC MEMBER MEETING - FALL 2004Montana Report

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MONTANA REPORT

• The Montana Players - NTNC Members
• University of Montana campuses in Missoula,
  Helena, Butte, and Dillon
• Montana State University campuses in Bozeman,
  Billings, Great Falls, and Havre
• State/Information Technology Services Division
  primary site in Helena plus commitments in dozens
  of sites around the state

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MONTANA REPORT

• Primary In-State Network -- SummitNet
• Collaboration with State/ITSD, U of M, and MSU
• Current version of collaboration going back gt 20
  years with telephone systems
• Current technology is based on a contract signed
  in 2000 with Qwest.
• The contract provided for ATM and Frame relay
  technology to support state offices and units of
  the university system.
• Allowed for major upgrades in bandwidth at state
  aggregation points and university campuses-- in
  that sense it has been very successful

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MONTANA REPORT

• Primary In-State Network -- SummitNet
• Contract signed in 2001 with VisionNet for
  Internet Services.
• Provides for separate connections, but cost
  sharing based on total bandwidth use
• Recent contract extensions provide flexibility to
  support remote offices and allow time for orderly
  approach to next generation networking (e.g.
  impact of NTNC)

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MONTANA REPORT

• Montana State - Current Events Dominated by
  Lariat
• 10M pot of funding (NIH) for broad networking,
  with significant amount dedicated to
  PNWGP/Bozeman link
• Letter of intent signed with PNWGP on development
  of actual link, which (probably) will be an OC-48
  (2.5Gbps) from 360 Networks, funded for five
  years through Lariat
• Developing campus side of bandwidth handoff,
  addressing campus facilities (using campus money)
  -- no small challenge in itself
• Very interested in long term bandwidth plan

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MONTANA REPORT

• University of Montana - Current Events
• Designated friend of Lariat, but no specific
  funding -- focus on obtaining additional funds to
  complement Lariat
• Trying to energize scientists to take the lead
  ala Dr. Jacobs at MSU
• Taking state lead regarding delegation contacts
  and looking at specific possibilities, e.g.
  hosting a spur to the Rocky Mtn National Labs
  (NIH) in Hamilton, MT
• Very interested in long term bandwidth plan --
  now challenged to build the red line from
  Spokane to Missoula

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MONTANA REPORT

• State/ITSD - Current Events
• Tracking NTNC as preparation for life after
  Qwest SummitNet and for potential in state
  economic development
• Interest in life after LATA footprints
• Strong ties with comparable organizations in
  Dakotas who have similar infrastructure/commitment
  s, who are also participating in NTNC
• Possible commitment to support K-12 could come
  from next legislative session (or lawsuit in
  progress)

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MONTANA REPORT

• Summary
• Current SummitNet footprint matches most but not
  all needs
• Possible options with tribal colleges, possible
  options and obligations for K-12
• Extra evolutionary state support as SummitNet
  successor possible significant new support not
  likely, but would have to be largely based on
  economic development
• All parties happy to seek external support based
  on strong partnerships (e.g. national security
  money)