From RFC: The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is an inter-Autonomous System routing protocol. It is built on experience gained with EGP as defined in RFC 904 [1] and EGP usage in the NSFNET Backbone as described in RFC 1092 [2] and RFC 1093 [3].

The primary function of a BGP speaking system is to exchange network reachability information with other BGP systems. This network reachability information includes information on the list of Autonomous Systems (ASs) that reachability information traverses. This information is sufficient to construct a graph of AS connectivity from which routing loops may be pruned and some policy decisions at the AS level may be enforced.

From: http://www.whatis.com/nap.htm. In the United States, a network access point (NAP) is one of several major Internet interconnection points that serve to tie all the Internet access providers together so that, for example, an AT&T user in Portland, Oregon can reach the Web site of a Bell South customer in Miami, Florida. Originally, four NAPs - in New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and San Francisco – were created and supported by the National Science Foundation as part of the transition from the original U.S. government-financed Internet to a commercially operated Internet. Since that time, several new NAPs have arrived, including WorldCom's "MAE West" site in San Jose, California and ICS Network Systems' "Big East."

The NAPs provide major switching facilities that serve the public in general. Using companies apply to use the NAP facilities and make their own intercompany peering arrangements. Much Internet traffic is handled without involving NAPs, using peering arrangements and interconnections within

geographic regions. The vBNS network, a separate network supported by the National Science Foundation for research purposes, also makes use of the NAPs.

Digital signal X is a term for the series of standard digital transmission rates or levels based on DS0, a transmission rate of 64 Kbps, the bandwidth normally used for one telephone voice channel. Both the North American T-carrier system and the European E-carrier systems of transmission operate using the DS series as a base multiple. The digital signal is what is carried inside the carrier system.

DS0 is the base for the digital signal X series. DS1, used as the signal in the T-1 carrier, is 24 DS0 (64 Kbps) signals transmitted using pulse-code modulation (PCM) and time-division multiplexing (TDM). DS-2 is four DS1 signals multiplexed together to produce a rate of 6.312 Mbps. DS-3, the signal in the

T-3 carrier, carries a multiple of 28 DS1 signals or 672 DS0s or 44.736 Mbps.

Digital signal X is based on the ANSI T1.107 guidelines. The ITU guidelines differ somewhat. The following table summarizes the set of signals and relates them to the T-carrier and E-carrier systems.

See digital signal chart at: http://www.whatis.com/dsignalx.htm

The Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) includes a set of signal rate multiples for transmitting digital signals on optical fiber. The base rate (OC-1) is 51.84 Mbps. OC-2 runs at twice the base rate, OC-3 at three times the base rate, and so forth. Planned rates include OC-1, OC-3 (155.52 Mbps), OC-12 (622.08 Mpbs), and OC-48 (2.488 Gbps). ATM makes use of some of the Optical Carrier levels.

Nice comparison chart at: http://www.whatis.com/thespeed.htm.

RADB/IRR

Routing Policy based on RFC 2622. (ftp://ftp.isi.edu/in-notes/rfc2622.txt) Specification Language (RPSL). RPSL allows a network operator to be able to specify routing policies at various levels in the Internet hierarchy; for example at the Autonomous System (AS) level. At the same time, policies can be specified with sufficient detail in RPSL so that low level router configurations can be generated from them. RPSL is extensible; new routing protocols and new protocol features can be introduced at any time.

American Registry for Internet Numbers (www.arin.net). ARIN is a non-profit organization established for the purpose of administration and registration of Internet Protocol (IP) numbers for the following geographical areas:

North America,

ARIN is one of three Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) worldwide which collectively provide IP registration services to all regions around the globe. The others are:

RIPE NCC - Europe, Middle East,

parts of Africa APNIC - Asia Pacific

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/cisco/mkt/optical/optrans/ons1545/ons15_ds.htm

The Cisco ONS 15454 brings all the functionality of multiple SONET/SDH multiplexers, optical networking, and switching network elements together in one easy-to-use platform. This evolutionary platform supports OC-3/STM-1 to OC-192/STM-64 optical bandwidth and optical services, all of which are deployed on demand by exchanging a single card, eliminating the need to lay new fiber to add capacity. With comprehensive Synchronous Transport Signal level 1 (STS-1) and Virtual Tributary level 1.5 (VT1.5) bandwidth management, packet and cell switching, and 3/1 and 3/3 transmux functionality, the Cisco ONS 15454 also serves as a full-featured digital cross-connect without additional equipment.

DC power equipment (if required by ISP)

The Cisco 12000 series Gigabit Switch Routers (GSR) is a new product class of routers that perform Internet routing and switching at gigabit speeds. The Cisco 12012 and Cisco 12008 meet the exponential growth in demand for Internet bandwidth and bring scalability and high-performance services to IP-based networks. Designed to meet current and future Internet traffic requirements, the Cisco 12000 series initially supports IP backbone links at OC-3/STM-1 (155 Mbps) and OC-12/STM-4 (622 Mbps)—facilities up to four times faster than those used today.

The Cisco 12000 series is built around a high-speed switching fabric that provides nonblocking bandwidth to support high-performance IP-based LANs and WANs. The switching fabric is scalable from 15 to 60 Gbps on the Cisco 12012 and from 10 to 40 Gbps on the Cisco 12008. Both the Cisco 120012 and Cisco 12008 support IP over SONET/SDH and ATM interfaces.

The Cisco 12012 has 12 user-configurable slots, and the Cisco 12008 has eight user-configurable slots. These slots contain line cards and Gigabit Route Processor (GRP). Network interfaces reside on line cards that provide connection between the router's switch fabric and the external networks.

All available options for T1 connections and options for optical interconnects. This pricing is pass through without transport costs.

Connections are optical only interfaces based on standards TDM (OC-3, OC-12, OC-48) and IP (10/100Mbps) interfaces.

The request for optical interfaces that exceed the initial request of 45Mbps will allow NoaNet to scale the Internet access port without replacement of transport and interface equipment. The interface will include four fiber strands with the ability to scale to meet NoaNet’s future growth in Internet bandwidth requirements by utilizing multiplexed fiber.