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CONGRUENCE WITH E-GOVERNANCE: The question of whether the network for
e-governance and the Knowledge network should be one single network assumes
importance and relevance depending upon the approach adopted for the
realization of the network. In the recommended approach in the first phase,
namely VPNs on commercial MPLS networks on Dense Wavelength Division
Multiplexing (DWDM), this question becomes irrelevant because several VPNs
can be created on a commercial network and they could be entirely un-correlated,
as may be the case with these two networks. This question would assume
importance only if we were to implement a purely owned network on lighted
fibres. On the other hand even in the hybrid approach, the e-governance network
with an entirely different geographical spread and much lower bandwidth
requirements, can be realized as VPNs and the security and flexibility aspect
could be addressed by the inner core. The issue of congruence of the two
networks therefore no longer remains important and the two aspects can be totally
de-linked.
SECURITY AND PRIVACY: Methods will have to be evolved both at the time of
commissioning of the network as well as during operations, to ensure security of
data along with privacy and confidentiality. Access to data from the Data Centre
of a given institution should be under the control of the institution being
addressed. An arrangement for authentication and authorization, with the
participation of the connected institutions is essential to launch the network.
ONE TIME SUPPORT FOR LANS: The proposed broadband network envisages 100
Mbps or higher access bandwidth and therefore almost all the user institutions
will have to upgrade their networks to be able to cater to these speeds. While
several institutions may have the resources for doing so, a large number will need
one time capital support to set up Fast Ethernet LAN (FELAN) which includes
expenditure on routers, switches and optic fibre cable on the campus.
COSTS: The Knowledge Net initially proposed to be launched on existing
commercial networks will therefore involve a recurring cost of Rs 20-40 lakhs per
institution connected, amounting to Rs 200-400 crores annually for 1000
institutions in the first phase. In addition there will be a one time capital
investment in upgrading the LANs of these institutions to a 100 Mbps capability
Fast Ethernet LAN. Thereafter, based on the feedback, the installation of the inner
core network of 10 Gbps or higher capability will be taken up. This will involve a
capital investment of around Rs.1000 crores on a 7 or 8 node Inner Core network,
its Gigabit connectivity to the commercial IP-MPLS networks, as also direct
connectivity to a few users who are particularly concerned about the security and
internetworking experiments. This expenditure will be incurred over a period of
time. There will be an additional recurring expenditure for this Inner Core on
hiring large bandwidths from bandwidth service providers. This amount will
depend on the number of nodes and the negotiated or bid-based price.
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