Getting to the Fiber: Lateral Builds

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Getting to the FiberLateral Builds
Presented by Stephen Kankus, NYSERNet Quilt
Regional Optical Networking Workshop June 22,
2004
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Getting to the Fiber
Brief Background on NYC Dark Fiber Project

• Custom built metropolitan network.
• Multiple strands spanning Manhattan.
• Recently expanded into the Bronx.
• Designed to reduce lateral costs.
• Diversely routed fiber loops.
• Diverse colocation facilities.
• Seven participating institutions, to-date.
• Twenty odd connected sites (sans colocation
  facilities.)
• A remotely managed project.

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Getting to the Fiber
Initial Participants

• American Museum of Natural History
• Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• City University of New York
• Weill Cornell Medical Center
• New York Presbyterian Hospital
• Columbia University
• Fordham University

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Getting to the Fiber
Project Milestones

• Primary colocation facility complete 5.30.03
• XYZ ring complete 10.31.03
• First customer loop (AMNH) accepted 2.2.04
• Last phase of backbone fiber placement complete
  3.1.04
• Last (phase one) customer loop accepted 9.1.04
• Expansion into Bronx completed 9.1.04

Anticipated, of course.
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Getting to the Fiber
Lateral (and Demarc) Build Issues

• Customer Offering.
• Customer Process.
• Single vs.- Dual Building Entrance.
• Use of Existing Entrances.
• Securing Building Management Approval.
• General Construction Issues.
• Choosing a Contractor.

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Getting to the Fiber
Initial Customer Offering

• Backbone near sites.
• Dual entrance option.
• First entrance for 50K NRC additional for 25K
  NRC.
• NRC covered demarc/lateral inside 50/150 rule.
• Additional charges for construction.
• Additional charges to extend demarc.

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Getting to the Fiber
Customer Process

• Site Survey/Walkthrough.
• Building Engineering Pricing Developed.
• Engineering and Pricing Review Approval.
• P.O. Issued to NYSERNet w/Signed Drawings.
• P.O. and Construction Authorization Issued to
  Lexent.
• POE Construction.
• Cable and Hardware Placement.
• Equipment Rack Installed.
• ISP Fiber Spliced and Terminated.
• Customer Loop Completed and Tested.
• Acceptance Review.

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Getting to the Fiber
Single vs.- Dual Building Entrance

• Offered as option to each participant.
• First included in NRC second for additional NRC.
• Decision based upon cost and mandate.
• Redundancy important, but few utilized this
  option.
• Decision influenced by expense availability
  ease.
• Decision influenced by proximity to backbone.
• Easier to accomplish when customer owns the
  building.
• More complicated in multi-tenant facilities.
• Make decision early as possible.

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Getting to the Fiber
Use of Existing Entrances

• Facilities owned by third party or customer.
• Saves time and money, less disruptive.
• May not be suitable.
• May not be able to get permission.
• Suitable, existing dual entrances generally not
  available.
• Customers may want and expect new.
• Rely on vendor to negotiate.
• Make sure customers know what they are entitled
  to.

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Getting to the Fiber
Building Management Approval

• Customer owned building generally not an issue.
• Non-customer owned building potential trouble.
• Non-customer owned, multi-tenant more trouble.
• Have a process.
• Be prepared to negotiate.
• Engage a vendor that can negotiate effectively.

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Getting to the Fiber
General Construction Issues

• Collapsed or otherwise unsuitable facilities.
• Identify beforehand who will pay.
• Moratoriums and municipal work.
• Engage a contractor familiar with authorities and
  permitting processes.
• Engage a vendor knowledgeable about the
  moratorium schedule and capable of gaining access.

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Getting to the Fiber
Choosing a Contractor

• Assumption that LMC would do all lateral work.
• Customer costs include 50/150 rule.
• Additional charges apply outside.
• Customers attempt to find cheaper alternatives.
• Leads to delays, loss of control of schedule.
• Issues with code and unions.
• Insist that customer use your contractor.
• Provide guidelines for use of other contractors.
• Insist on detailed quotes.
• Understand local pricing.

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Stephen Kankus Director of Operations NYSERNet,
Inc. 100 Elwood Davis Rd. Syracuse, New York
13212 315-413-0345 x5234 kankus_at_nysernet.org