N3 National Next Generation Ethernet Products
Welcome to the N3 National Next Generation Ethernet (NGE) Products web pages. These web pages cover the introduction of a new set of Ethernet services. If you are a new N3 customer you can find out how to order an N3 NGE connection here.
N3 NGE: A new set of services
- Background
- Product details
- Technical details
- N3 Catalogue Service details
- Availability
- Greenfield sites (New provisions)
- Self Funding Customers
- Suppliers
- How to order
- NGE programme update
Background
Following on from successful implementation in London, N3's Next Generation Ethernet (NGE) catalogue services are now available throughout England.
Existing Ethernet services for eligible sites will be migrated to the new NGE services between in a phased approach during 2010 and 2011.
Product details
N3's Next Generation Ethernet services are very similar to the existing Ethernet services apart from a commercial difference and the following advantages:
- Distance independent - any eligible1 site can be linked to any N3 Next Generation Ethernet PoP for a similar price, regardless of how far from the PoP it is.
- Reconfigurable - each link can be reconfigured after installation at a relatively low cost. For example, a connection between a site and the N3 core can subsequently be reconfigured as a COIN circuit without the need for physical circuit re-provisioning. Router configurations and added services would need to be reconfigured.
1 "eligible" means that the site can be served by supplier networks and is not part of an existing N3 COIN
Benefits of NGE
- Use of supplier's next generation networks
- Flexible - circuits can be logically reconfigured e.g. COIN Membership
- More efficient network
- Facilitates reduction of number of N3 PoPs in use
- Re-use of existing CPE for sites with existing Ethernet service
- More cost effective Ethernet solutions
Technical details
National Next Generation Ethernet will be delivered using fibre.
Connectivity to the N3 network will be via interconnects established with each supplier to N3 points of presence, the sites used will vary between suppliers
Diagram of new 10Mb/s and 100Mb/s N3 National Ethernet service
Ability to re-route traffic locally rather than over N3 Core Network - Virtualisation
N3 Catalogue Service details
Four new services have been launched:
| Catalogue service | Primary circuit CDR2 | Secondary circuit CDR2 | CPE3 |
|
N3-2-59 |
10Mb (9280 kb/s) |
5Mb |
2 x 3825 Routers |
|
N3-2-60 |
20Mb (18482 kb/s) |
10Mb |
2 x 3825 Routers |
|
N3-2-61 |
50Mb (46742 kb/s) |
25Mb |
2 x 7204VXR (NPE 400) Routers |
|
N3-2-62 |
100Mb (90470 kb/s) |
50Mb |
2 x 7204VXR (NPE G1) Routers |
2 CDR = Committed Data Rate
3 Router Specifications illustrated are current portfolio deployments for the services listed but other legacy specifications may be retained as appropriate
Service level agreement
Service levels and levels of resilience for the National Next Generation Ethernet services are the same as those for existing Ethernet services.
Contract term
The contract term for the new National Next Generation Ethernet catalogue services is three years. If there is a requirement to increase bandwidth within that term, as a result of increased traffic to NHS CFH National Applications (excluding PACS) NHS CFH will consider funding the upgrade.
Availability
The N3 National NGE services are available throughout England where the supplier technology to deliver exists. As availability of the supplier products widens the service will be offered to more N3 customers.
Greenfield Sites (new provision)
N3 Next Generation Ethernet services are available to order for sites which do not currently receive N3 service. New sites may request a quote for N3 Next Generation Ethernet services immediately.
Eligibility for NHS Connecting for Health funding is as described in the National Allocation Algorithm.
N3 NGE orders will be fulfilled if the customer site is deemed to be within the area covered by any of the suppliers for these services. Please note that such services will be for a 3 year term.
Self Funding Customers
N3 National Next Generation Ethernet services are available to all N3 customers, including Self Funding customers. The installation of an N3 connection is subject to Information Governance approval.
Suppliers
There are several possible suppliers of N3 National Next Generation Ethernet - eligible sites will be able to receive service from the supplier providing best value.
How to Order
Click here to find out how to order a new N3 NGE connection
Click here to find out how to place a migration order for an N3 NGE connection
