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MRnet’s role and mandate is the advancement of high
speed research and education networking infrastructure
and applications in Manitoba. It is funded by the arm
of CANARIE responsible for supporting national and
regional high-speed R&E networking. CANARIE’s
support of public good applications such as access, e-
Health, e-Learning, etc. come from the other arm of
CANARIE which is currently dormant due to lack of
funding. It is important to understand and make this
distinction.
MRnet functions in Winnipeg using Bell provided user
-managed dark fibre connections. In Brandon the
MRnet connection uses a service from Manitoba Hydro
between Winnipeg and Brandon, and a university/
city-owned dark fibre build within the City of Brandon.
MRnet received support from CANARIE’s initiative
with $850,000 in funding for the Winnipeg and
Brandon network upgrades. These activities are oriented
toward assisting key sectors of the economy to
develop critical advanced R&E networking applications
and associated infrastructure. Future enhancements
will move to using User Controlled Light Paths
(UCLP) over customer-managed fibre. MRnet has
developed a Statement of Work which has been submitted
to and approved by CANARIE identifying how
MRnet will use Phase 4 funding. This includes links to
Canadian Mennonite University,
Assiniboine Community College
and University College of the
North.
The speed of the CANARIE network going east,
west and south from Winnipeg is 2 gb/sec. The
speed of the CANARIE network in BC, Alberta,
Ontario and Quebec is 10 gb/sec over multiple
wavelengths on the ROADM sections of the network.
Winnipeg is therefore a choke point in the
national network and this will need to be addressed
as part of future CANARIE network pgrades.
This must be part of the entire discussion regarding
the future of CANARIE post March 2012. The
various constituents across Canada must raise
awareness regarding the need for CANARIE to
exist and operate the national network with appropriate
priorities as we move into the second decade
of the 21st century. Furthermore, it will be important
to develop other international options for connecting
the MRnet network outside of Manitoba
should CANARIE cease to exist.
While there have been gains in the areas of sustainability
and access in MRnet, the increased use of
the network for mission critical activities for some
members has brought forward the challenge of
higher service level expectations and potentially
higher management costs. Currently, the network
management remains at a “best effort” level of
support.
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