Networking Services

DREN 4 networking services are provided by a virtual Wide Area Network (WAN) built on a commercial communications network. DREN 4 is comprised of a core (or backbone) network and DoD sites connected to the core via Service Delivery Points (SDPs). Every SDP has one or more customer enclaves connected. These enclaves may consist of DREN, SDREN or Outreach Services.

SDPs are specified in terms of bandwidth requirements, physical interfaces, and transport protocols. The SDP is where the provider's service network ends and the customer premise network begins. Interconnectivity is provided internally between DREN SDPs, as well as externally with DoD, Federal, research, academic, and other Government-designated networks at both private and public DREN Exchange Points (DXPs). If desired, all DREN customer locations have the ability to reach the Internet.

DREN 4 services are delivered to the customer via the SDP on an Ethernet interface. Ethernet interfaces have an industry-standard connector and signal format commensurate with the bandwidth ordered. Customers may order one or more Ethernet interfaces on an SDP to support multiple customers or services such as layer-2 VLAN services and layer-3 IP packet-based services. Individual enclaves, including SDREN enclaves, should have a separate interface on the SDP.

Each enclave connecting to a DREN SDP (for DREN, SDREN, or Outreach Services) must review and complete the applicable connection package as follows: