PARI’s Information Technology (IT) infrastructure is built upon three foundations:
•    Network connectivity through a broadband campus-wide fiber-optic backbone and through fiber connectivity to the Internet and the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN)
•    Network services and storage capacity provided by server-grade hardware and software
•    Network reliability and uptime through carrier-grade power filtering and power interruption backup systems

PARI’s extensive, high quality fiber optic network consists of over 75 miles of precision glass fiber routed through nearly five miles of conduit, tunnel, and fiber duct throughout the campus. Carrier-grade core switches and routers, manufactured to the strictest of standards by networking giants Cisco and Brocade, reliably carry data at light speed and gigabit rates throughout the campus and to our regional network service provider located in Asheville.

Network nodes using carrier-grade components were chosen for their manageability, scalability and reliability. Following the industry standard three-tiered modular design approach, each access node has multiple links to the distribution and core. Each distribution node has redundant power supplies. Each core node additionally contains redundant processors and interfaces to provide greater reliability.  

Essential network services are provided using high quality computer hardware with solid server-class operating systems and software to further provide excellent service to the users of the network. High grade servers provide e-mail, basic addressing services, redundant file storage services with an offsite mirror, firewall-protected Internet connectivity, encrypted virtual private networks for secure remote access, a rich dynamic website with many live data sources to local and Internet users and secure remote control of radio and optical instruments, such as the Smiley radio telescope.  Virtualization technologies that reduce the physical number of servers required reduces the potential for radio frequency interference that would adversely impact our radio astronomy operations.  Storage area networking to three EMC2 Clariion arrays, totaling over 150 terabytes in capacity, provides reliable and secure storage of all data.

All critical network systems are provided regulated uninterruptible power, using carrier-grade APC Symmetra UPS’s.  For long-term power interruptions, power automatically switches to a diesel powered generation system that can provide power for at least 30 days without refueling.

PARI understands that high-speed, reliable and secure networking and storage services are cornerstones of a productive user experience and has built a reliable and scalable network infrastructure that reflects this fact.