Current Backbone Architecture

The NetRail network is a modern, carrier-class Tier One IP network consisting of OC-12, OC-3, and DS-3 backbone trunks with OC-48 capacity by the end of 2000. As a fully redundant and load balanced network, NetRail has more than 20,000 route miles of fiber-optic cable with over 50 Points Of Presence (POP) locations in the United States. Powering the NetRail network are Juniper M-40 IP backbone routers and Lucent CBX-500 intelligent ATM switches. The Juniper M40s run Packet over SONET (POS) with Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) and multicasting. The Lucent CBX-500s run ATM over SONET. Network Service Providers access the NetRail backbone directly through its core backbone routers.

With more than 200 public and private peering sessions in place at the DS-3/OC-3 level or above with other Tier One providers, and many Tier Two and Three providers, NetRail's flat network architecture provides its partners with one hop, on-net access to the Internet. This was further enhanced by the company's decision to use Cabletron SSR-8000s for colocation aggregation, as well as for packet filtering and monitoring. The installation of caching servers throughout the network further facilitates NetRail's plan for distributing interactive content, such as streaming video across the backbone.

Providing 24x7 monitoring of this impressive network is NetRail's Network Operations Center. NetRail's NOC utilizes the latest standards-based network monitoring and management tools including NetCool and OpenView to proactively monitor and address all IP, switching, routing, and DNS issues. Staffed with skilled NOC technicians, NetRail's NOC provides quick, responsive and knowledgeable support to their NSP partners.

As the cornerstone, NetRail selected SAP for the task of developing a complete, company-wide Operational Support System (OSS). Unlike that of other providers, NetRail's OSS is unique, designed from the ground up to be scaleable, and without the worries of integration with legacy systems. This gives NetRail a tremendous advantage in servicing its partners. From provisioning, to monitoring, to billing, NetRail's OSS provides an automated, streamlined approach to the way the company does business.

Future Expansion Plans

Having already completing an additional 35-city network build-out and the construction of a new state-of-the-art Network Operations Center and testing lab, NetRail is in the midst of migrating its leased fiber backbone onto its own dark fiber.

NetRail will continue to migrate its network over to multiple OC-48 trunks through its dark fiber acquisition and the deployment Dense-Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) Optical Networking systems. This project is scheduled for completion by 2001. NetRail's plans include further expansion of its network both domestically and internationally.