Los Nettos Network Engineer Shaun Roberts (center) and Senior Internet Engineer Ernest Johanson (right) perform configuration work with the assistance of Ekinops customer service manager Isaac Ben-David.
Los Nettos Regional Network, a pivotal research and education network in Southern California, is undergoing a significant upgrade to enhance its services. Serving renowned institutions like the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Occidental College (OXY), The Claremont Colleges, and the University of Southern California (USC), this network provides vital internet access and connectivity to state, national, and international research and education networks.
The Need for Change
Currently, Los Nettos operates using a fixed-grid Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) system on the Cisco MSTP 15454 platform. Los Nettos Director Yul Pyun explained that while this system has served the network well, it now faces limitations in flexibility, capacity, and operational efficiency. Los Nettos has begun transitioning to a new, advanced network infrastructure to address these shortcomings and stay ahead of increasing demands.
The Upgrade
The upgrade involves replacing the existing system with a state-of-the-art flex-grid open-line system that supports disaggregated transponders and protected circuits. The new system’s flex-grid technology increases flexibility and capacity, allowing dynamic provisioning to accommodate more data channels and higher bandwidth demands without significant manual intervention. It optimizes resource use and improves efficiency to reduce operating costs, while advanced technology lowers power consumption for more sustainable operations. The compact design of modern equipment saves rack space, and the network supports legacy systems, ensuring seamless integration with existing 10 waves while simultaneously supporting 400G waves and beyond.
Benefits for the University and Consortium Members
This upgrade aligns with the mission of USC and the consortium members by supporting research and education through enhanced connectivity and capacity, meeting the high data demands of research projects and educational initiatives. It ensures reliability and scalability by designing the network to meet current needs and allow for easy future upgrades, ensuring long-term adaptability. Additionally, it promotes innovation by providing advanced network capabilities, enabling member institutions to engage in cutting-edge research and global collaboration.
By modernizing its infrastructure, Los Nettos aims to provide a robust, efficient, and scalable network that supports the evolving needs of its consortium members, fostering innovation and collaboration in the research and education community.
For more information about Los Nettos or this project, visit www.losnettos.net. Los Nettos Director Yul Pyun can be reached at ypyun@usc.edu.
Ekinops equipment is being staged at the USC ITS Lab in the way it will be deployed at its final location, such as Caltech, JPL, LMU, Occidental, Claremont, and USC.
History of Los Nettos
The Los Nettos Consortium, established in 1988 by Southern California researchers including Danny Cohen and Jon Postel from USC’s Information Sciences Institute, aimed to provide cost-effective connections to the National Science Foundation’s NSFNET backbone for local campuses and research institutes. Today, Los Nettos supports educational and research organizations in the Los Angeles area and is managed by USC’s Information Technology Services.