Circuit & Router Information Explained

The Circuit & Router Information section of the form is critical for configuring and provisioning the customer’s dedicated internet connection. Below is a detailed explanation of each field and its options, helping you understand what information is required and why.

1. Circuit Type

• What it Means: The type of connection being provisioned, such as Ethernet or Fiber.

• Why It’s Important: Selecting the correct circuit type ensures the infrastructure supports the desired bandwidth and reliability for the customer’s needs.

2. Customer Requires Fiber to the Building?

• What it Means: Indicates whether fiber-optic cabling needs to be installed in the building.

• Yes: The building currently lacks fiber, and it must be installed.

• No: The building already has fiber, or it is not required.

• Why It’s Important: Fiber offers faster speeds and higher reliability than traditional copper cabling. This decision impacts installation time and costs.

3. Provisioning

• Options:

• Electrical: Uses copper cabling for the connection.

• Optical: Uses fiber-optic cabling for the connection.

• What it Means: Specifies how the service will be delivered (via copper or fiber infrastructure).

• Why It’s Important: Determines the type of infrastructure needed to deliver the service.

4. Type

• Options:

• Cat 5e: Supports speeds up to 1 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters.

• Cat 6: Supports speeds up to 10 Gbps over shorter distances (up to 55 meters) and 1 Gbps up to 100 meters.

• What it Means: The cabling category used for the circuit, impacting speed and performance.

• Why It’s Important: Ensures the cabling meets the performance requirements of the customer’s network.

5. Routing

• Options:

• BGP (Border Gateway Protocol): A dynamic routing protocol used for redundancy and fault tolerance.

• Static: A fixed routing method where specific routes are manually configured.

• What it Means:

• BGP: Automatically adjusts routing based on network conditions and is ideal for larger or more complex networks.

• Static: Simple, predictable routing for smaller networks with stable traffic.

• Why It’s Important: Determines how the customer’s network communicates with the internet.

6. IP Addressing

• Options:

• IPv4: The most common IP addressing protocol.

• IPv6: A newer protocol with a larger address pool.

• What it Means: Specifies the type of IP addressing the customer’s network will use.

• Why It’s Important: Ensures compatibility with the customer’s network and devices.

7. Requested IP Range

• Options:

• /28: Provides 16 IP addresses (usable: 13).

• /29: Provides 8 IP addresses (usable: 5).

• /30: Provides 4 IP addresses (usable: 1).

• What it Means: Defines the size of the subnet and how many IP addresses the customer needs.

• Why It’s Important: Some applications, such as voice services or customer software, require static IPs. The subnet size must meet these requirements.

8. Supplied Router?

• Options:

• Yes: The customer will provide their own router.

• No: The service provider will supply the router.

• What it Means: Indicates who will supply the router for the connection.

• Why It’s Important: Impacts the configuration and installation process. If the customer provides their router, it must be compatible with the service.

Additional Notes:

• “Keep in mind when selecting your subnet size that voice equipment may require a static IP. In some cases, customer software may also have this requirement.”

• Explanation: This reminder emphasizes the importance of choosing a subnet size that accommodates the technical needs of the customer, such as static IPs for phone systems or specialized software.

Understanding each of these fields ensures accurate and efficient provisioning of the customer’s internet connection. If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out!