The Connections

1. The Fibre:
   The core of the Loop is technically a virtual fibre loop leased from Network Tasman Limited around the centre of Nelson. The active gear is branded Allied Telesis and is 1 gigabytes/wavelength, capable of upgrading to 10 gigabytes. A spur runs out to Motueka while another extends over Tophouse to Marlborough and onto Picton.
2. The Point to Point Radio Links.
   Those schools not within the range of the fibre, less than 10km and within line of sight of a Loop fibre school will have a dedicated 15 Megabit point to point radio connection. These radio links are modeled on the WAND project..
3. The Pacific.Net
   The Nelson /Marlborough PROBE contractor is The Pacific.Net. The Loop has negotiated with TPN for an effective layer 2, 5+ Meg connection to all Nelson/Marlborough schools not able to establish either a fibre or Point to Point radio link with the Loop.
4. External connections (via BGP routes)
   • A layer 2 leased 20 Meg + connection to the WIX
   • A layer 2 100+ Meg connection to Marlborough.

The Active network
The active network was designed and implemented by Steve Webb. The network was designed from the bottom up to be optimised for ...

• Multimedia (VoIP, Video conferencing, Video archives, etc each with QoS and VLans)
• VLans
• A consolidated server farm with its own VLan.
• Various Virtual server farms also have thier own Vlan(s)
• Able to operate with all three connection methods.
• Able to access external digital resources (e.g. Internet and the WIX)

Services:
The Loop is primarily designed to provide the three F's (Fat, Fast and Free) to external digital resources but it does provide some internal services (Email, DNS, Backup, VoIP, Video archives, WSUS etc) . The structure also provides the opportunity for other initiatives where an advantage can be gained by cooperation (e.g. Software and service provision)