About the Program
The Chicago Fiber Ring Collaborative is a 20-year project of
the CIC Chief Information Officers for the purpose of increasing
their networking capabilities in downtown Chicago. Phase 1 included
the acquisition of a ring of fiber optic strands around downtown
Chicago. Phase 2 may include cooperating on services necessary
to operate the network.
The CIC Chief Information Officers (with the exception of Penn
State) participated in a collaborative purchase of a dark fiber
ring in downtown Chicago in September 2004. The joint purchase
provides participating universities with seven lateral connections
that extend to national and international universities and research
facilities. It also provides a complete redundant path around
the city thus protecting the network from possible breaks or damage,
and all at a price approximately $13.2 million less than it would
have cost the participating schools individually. The CIC CIOs
have indicated an interest in selling unused fiber remaining in
the ring after its members’ networking needs have been fulfilled.
For more information about the CIC Ring including who is eligible
to purchase fiber on the CIC Ring, refer to the Frequently Asked
Questions.
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