Types of Connection to JANET

See also:

• Terms for the Provision of the JANET Service
• JANET Connected Sites
• Obtaining a JANET IP Address Range
• The JANET Regional Networks
• Connecting student accommodation

For customers wanting a single connection, there are three possible types of connection to JANET.

• Primary
• Sponsored
• Proxy

All organisations connected to JANET are subject to the JANET Acceptable Use Policy and the JANET Connection Policy.

A Primary Connection

This is a connection that is provided by JANET(UK) to a defined Level of Service* . All government funded further and higher education institutions have a Primary Connection to JANET by virtue of a block funding arrangement made via the JISC. Many establishments of the Research Councils also have a Primary Connection. Other organisations also have connections to JANET. To be eligible for a Primary Connection, an organisation must either have as its main activity higher or further education, or must be involved in collaboration (involving the use of networking) with the education and research community in the UK or elsewhere.

• Primary Connection tariff rates.
• Contact JANET Service Desk for further information.

* This level of service is defined in a Service Level Agreement between the JISC and JANET(UK). A copy of the current Service Level Agreement may be obtained from the JANET Service Desk or via http://www.ja.net/services/publications/policy-documents/service-level-agreements.html

Shifting your JANET Connection

Should you need to move the location of your JANET Connection you must contact the JANET Service Desk in the first instance at connect@ja.net. We require at least 6 months notice of a move in order to prepare quotations of any costs that you are required to pay and order new circuits, where necessary. The majority of shifts are provided by the provisioning of a new circuit, hence the requirement for so much notice. 

Upgrading your JANET Connection

Should you wish to increase the bandwidth of your JANET primary connection, please contact the JANET Service Desk in the first instance at connect@ja.net. You should allow 2 months for the preparation of quotes and the re-issue of new contracts. Please note that the lead-time for regrades, depending upon bandwidth required, is usually an additional 4 months subject to survey and from receipt of all necessary paperwork.

A Sponsored Connection

This is the connection of a third-party organisation's network to JANET via a Regional Network Operator or an organisation that itself has a Primary Connection (both called a 'hosting organisation').

There are two key aspects that distinguish a Sponsored Connection from a Primary Connection.

• The management and charging for a Sponsored Connection, and any associated service levels that are agreed, are a matter between the hosting organisation and the third-party organisation being connected. There is no involvement by JANET(UK) in these agreements.

• The provision of such a connection implies that the sponsoring organisation assumes the responsibilities and liabilities of a network operator:
  • it must ensure that users within the third-party organisations are aware of and abide by the JANET Acceptable Use and Security Policies;
  • it must have mechanisms in place to deal with failure of the third party to abide by these policies; and
  • it must also be aware of relevant legislation that might affect a network operator, and be prepared to abide by this.
• Terms and Conditions for the provision of JANET Sponsored Connections
• Terms and Conditions for the provision of JANET Sponsored Connections by a Regional Network Operator
• Tariffs for Sponsored and Proxy Connections to JANET
• Applying for a licence for a Sponsored Connection
• Guidelines for Licence Holders
• Contact JANET Service Desk for further information.

A Proxy Connection

See Tariffs for Sponsored and Proxy Connections to JANET
Terms and Conditions for the provision of JANET Proxy Connections

This category of connection applies when a Regional Network Operator or an organisation with a Primary Connection itself permits on a regular basis third parties to use its facilities to access JANET.

Examples of such use might be the provision of electronic mail facilities via the hosting organisation's mail server, an account on a host system which provides JANET access, or space on your organisation's WWW server for third party information. The use by third parties of the hosting organisation's dial up facility to access JANET is also regarded as a Proxy Connection.

Note: The JANET Acceptable Use Policy permits use of such facilities, without the need for a proxy licence, by bona fide visitors to the organisation on either an occasional basis or on a longer term basis in the case of, for example, an individual seconded from another institution. If it is not clear whether a licence is required, JANET Service Desk can advise.

• Tariffs for Sponsored and Proxy Connections to JANET
• Applying for a licence for a Proxy Connection
• Guidelines for Licence Holders
• Contact JANET Service Desk for further information.

Connections to Buildings Under Construction or Refurbishment

With regard to a connection into a new building that is still under construction, or a building that is being refurbished, please note that the circuit supplier will not begin any site survey or design work until the room into which the connection will be installed is complete. In terms of a comms room, this means that the rack into which the circuit termination equipment will be installed has to be in situ with a suitable power supply. In addition, the access risers and ducting within the building must be complete and available for the circuit supplier to perform their site survey. All lead times relating to connections into new builds will begin from the date that the circuit supplier has been able to perform a site survey.