RISQ Internet

Their annual membership fees guarantee RISQ members unlimited access to a high-performance fibre optic network. They thus have the ability to set up virtual private networks with remote sites, and can communicate with other RISQ members with no restrictions on time, bandwidth usage or applications. Within this "network of networks" that we call the "RISQ Internet", members' traffic is not limited by connecting links or routing equipment.

A connection to the RISQ Internet also allows the delivery of optional general Internet connectivity services, CA*net connection and access to RISQ's Usenet server. Finally, it opens the door to the implementation of advanced services such as distance learning, telemedicine, distributed computing, as well as new network management and optimization tools.

Network Access

In some cases, RISQ is able to offer network access by extending its own private fibre optic network to the institution. In these cases, basic service includes:

• Traffic transport between the institution and all RISQ members;
• Traffic management;
• 24/7 network monitoring;
• Maintenance of links.

The main advantages of this type of connection are:

• Transport capacity limited only by by routers and other equipment;
• No conflict between data services delivered to the institution;
• High bandwidth (from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps and up depending on requirements).

When RISQ has no presence in the institution's location, the institution assumes full responsibility for linking its buildings with RISQ's nearest point of presence (PoP).

[Top of page]

A Quebec-wide intranet!

The RISQ Internet is:

The sum of the research and teaching communities:

• Quebec universities and their resources;
• Colleges and cegeps and their campuses;
• School boards and their member schools;
• The main research institutes;
• Other specialized networks linked to RISQ;
• Education-related organizations.

Administrative content produced by RISQ members and partners:

• Regional headquarters of the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec;
• The société GRICS;
• The SRIC;
• Specialized software such as Above security (Call centre - CRM).

Pedagogical content produced by RISQ members, such as:

• Télé-Québec for downloading multimedia documents;
• The NFB for viewing films in real-time (requires 2 Mbps or greater bandwidth);
• CANAL SAVOIR for broadcasting courses;
• The National Assembly for broadcasting debates in real time;
• Etc.

Technological applications:

• Distance learning;
• Medical networking;
• Distributed computing;
• Voice over IP;
• IP videoconferencing;
• Multimedia servers;
• Network management tools.

[Top of page]

Akamai Servers

By hosting a portion of Akamai’s worldwide network of 14,000 cache servers -- a network designed to optimize the planet’s Internet traffic–RISQ is helping to ensure that its members receive the best performance possible for the most popular content, as well as saving on Internet connectivity costs. Read more »