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The CSIR's Meraka Institute is responsible for the implementation of the
DST's cyberinfrastructure initiative which, in addition to SANReN,
comprises the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) and the Very
Large Data Base data storage initiative.
The national backbone will interconnect Pretoria, Johannesburg,
Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London and Durban on a 10
Gbps (Gigabits per second) optic fibre ring network. This network will
enable the research community to engage in meaningful online collaboration.
It will also be used to link to international bandwidth acquired for
research purposes.
Negotiations have been underway with potential providers for the national
backbone since the start of the SANReN project in 2007. Recent progress in
the liberalisation of the South African telecommunications sector
contributed to positive action by key players, resulting in the competitive
tender process that has just been concluded. The most important factors
considered during bid evaluation were the ability to deliver a
next-generation network of the type required for research and education,
the acceptability of the price offer and the national telecommunications
footprint.
Commenting on this milestone, centre manager of the Meraka Institute,
Kagiso Chikane states, "The national backbone will give institutions access
to facilities such as the CHPC www.chpc.ac.za
in Cape Town, enable the establishment of a national computing grid, and
allow for large volumes of data transfer amongst institutions - typically a
requirement of the research community. Of immediate relevance is the
importance of the national backbone in supporting South Africa's Square
Kilometre Array bid to host the world's most powerful radio telescope."
Godfrey Ntoele, Telkom's Group Executive for National Sales and Marketing
Operations, adds: "We are pleased to count the CSIR as one of our most
valued customers alongside the likes of Absa, the IEC and FIFA. That such a
diverse array of customers has chosen to work with us attests to our
network's ubiquity and resilience as well as our management capabilities
and expertise."
Adds Ntoele: "It also highlights our growing reputation as a trusted
adviser, tailoring solutions based on the specific needs of individual
customers. This is complemented by our capacity to deliver Next Generation
Network solutions based on leading-edge technologies and support functions
rendered from our National Network Operations Centre in Centurion."
Future plans for SANReN are the completion of metro networks in Pretoria,
Cape Town and Durban. The national network will interconnect with the metro
networks and enable all research institutions to have access to SANReN.
Contact Person (s)
Christiaan Kuun
SANReN Project Manager
Email: Christiaan Kuun
Tel: +27 12-841-2876
Laurens Cloete
Meraka Institute: Operations Manager
Email: Laurens Cloete
Tel: +27 12-841-3165
TELKOM
AJITH BRIDGRAJ
Senior Specialist: Media Liaison
Tel.: (012) 311-7720
Cell: 082 857 5060
PYNEE CHETTY
Specialist: Media Liaison
Tel.: (012) 311-5247
Cell: 082 857 5141
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