...Advanced regional networking
in support of research and education

Regional Optical Networks: A Collection of Case Studies

Since 2003, The Quilt has held a series of Optical Workshops open to the R&E community to share our collective knowledge and experience with the procurement, the lighting, and the operations and maintenance of an R&E optical network.  The workshop series also included overviews of the various services offered on an optical network and discussions on the interconnection of optical networks.  

Stemming from dialogue at the Optical Workshops, The Quilt created a Common Business Model working group in 2006 to discuss various aspects of member business models including governance, funding, membership, services and pricing for their regional optical networks. 

In the Spring of 2007, The Quilt, in collaboration with MIDnet, launched an effort to collect case studies of its members who are currently operating optical networks.  The goals of the project are to enrich and deepen the content of the original Quilt business model review, to update the case studies of the 'SURA Optical Cookbook', and to share the history, knowledge and experience of R&E optical network organizations with the broader R&E community.

Case study information includes:

• Organizational History
• Organizational Structure
• Financial Plan
• Management and Operations
• Services and Pricing
• Community Building and Outreach
• Customer Base
• Growth Expectations
• Lessons Learned
• Future Plans

A Case Study Summary can be found here.

Redlands Community College - Darlington Agriculture Education and Applied Research Center (August 2009) The Darlington Agriculture Education and Applied Research Center, a vibrant campus that is home to approximately 100 students, multi-million dollar research projects, internationally recognized facilities and an impressive list of national and international commercial partnerships. None of which would be possible without Oklahoma state’s research and education network, OneNet.

Members of the R&E Community:  You can review these final member case studies in their entirety, focus on specific aspects of an organization, explore a general snapshot of the case study information with the overview document, or find organizational contact information from Quilt members participating in this project.  Request login information from either Carol Farnham or Jen Leasure. 

Access the final case study library here.   

MIDnet and The Quilt wish to thank the participating Quilt members for their support in helping capture this information and making it available as a resource to the R&E community.