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Merit Upgrades Two Backbone Links to 10G

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October 20, 2009

ANN ARBOR – Merit Network has completed upgrades to two spans on its fiber-optic network. The Ann Arbor to Jackson link and the Jackson to East Lansing link have been upgraded to 10 gigabits connections, providing improved connectivity to Merit Members in the region.

“This upgrade provides high capacity resiliency and protection to meet the needs of our members,” says Bob Stovall, vice president of network operation and engineering for Merit Network.

Merit continually improves its backbone network’s speed and capacity with scheduled upgrades. The next fiber link to be upgraded to 10G will be the East Lansing to Mount Pleasant run, which extends approximately 70 miles.

The Merit-owned, fiber-optic backbone network stretches over 500 miles, connecting state universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, government and non-profit organizations. In addition, the fiber network features connections to Internet2 in Chicago and Cleveland, and directly connects to two regional networks, OSCnet in Cleveland and ORION in Windsor, Ontario.

network upgrade map

About Merit Network

Merit Network Inc., is a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan’s public universities. Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan’s public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained at the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking and IT solutions to Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations. For more information: www.merit.edu

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