The Gulf Central GigaPop

In cooperation with the other vBNS grantee universities of the University of Alabama System, a cooperative entity for high performance networks has been created. The Gulf Central GigaPoP is comprised of The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa), The University of Alabama at Birmingham, and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The GCG has meet on a weekly basis during the past year. The meetings have taken place either by visiting one of the universities or through video conferencing.

The realization that we could obtain greater benefits at lower cost by cooperative action has been the guiding principle of the GCG. To this end we issued built and issued an RFP for the connection to vBNS through SoX and for NOC services. Through careful negotiations with a vendor, we obtained very favorable terms for OC3 level connectivity for the three universities and onto the vBNS connection point. We are pleased to have awarded our contract to ITC^Deltacom. The NOC services will be provided by AREN. Once again careful negotiation and discussion has resulted will result in an agreement that will provide these services without charge to the GCG members. We anticipate that this agreement will be signed in the very near future.

The GCG has also focused on its own structure and operations. Policy, technical, and negotiation teams have been formed. These teams have addressed the various issues that surround the operation of this sort of cooperative organization. The GCG is in the process of formalizing its charter. These teams make extensive use of email and videoconferencing.

In consultation with NLANR, the GCG technical team is finalizing its report on the purchase of core equipment. It should be noted that the discussions of this matter have raised many issues of the best ways of establishing the connections and have involved all of the GCG participants. We anticipate that the final report and the drawing of purchase orders will occur before the end of 1998.