1 Getting to the Fiber: Lateral Builds Presented by Stephen Kankus, NYSERNet Quilt Regional Optical Networking Workshop June 22, 2004

2 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. Brief Background on NYC Dark Fiber Project Getting to the Fiber

3 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 Initial Participants Getting to the Fiber

4 Primary colocation facility complete – XYZ ring complete – First customer loop (AMNH) accepted – Last phase of backbone fiber placement complete – Last (phase one) customer loop accepted – * Expansion into Bronx completed – * Project Milestones Getting to the Fiber * Anticipated, of course.

5 Customer Offering. Customer Process. Single –vs.- Dual Building Entrance. Use of Existing Entrances. Securing Building Management Approval. General Construction Issues. Choosing a Contractor. Lateral (and Demarc) Build Issues Getting to the Fiber

6 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. Initial Customer Offering Getting to the Fiber

7 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. Customer Process Getting to the Fiber

8 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. Single –vs.- Dual Building Entrance Getting to the Fiber

9 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. Use of Existing Entrances Getting to the Fiber

10 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. Building Management Approval Getting to the Fiber

11 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. General Construction Issues Getting to the Fiber

12 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. Choosing a Contractor Getting to the Fiber

13 Stephen Kankus Director of Operations NYSERNet, Inc. 100 Elwood Davis Rd. Syracuse, New York x5234