What is CIR / Dedicated Internet Access ?
In this article we will understand concepts about terminology of 'CIR' or Dedicated Internet Access
General Secretary WISPAP
5/23/20232 min read
CIR (Committed Information Rate) Internet, also known as Dedicated Internet Service, is a type of internet connection that offers a guaranteed minimum bandwidth allocation and consistent data transfer speeds. Unlike shared internet services, where the bandwidth is shared among multiple users, CIR internet ensures that a specific amount of bandwidth is dedicated solely to the subscriber at all times.
Key Characteristics of CIR Internet/Dedicated Internet Service:
Guaranteed Bandwidth: With CIR internet, a predetermined bandwidth is allocated exclusively to the subscriber. This ensures that the user will always have access to the specified amount of bandwidth, regardless of network congestion or peak usage times.
Consistent Speeds: CIR internet provides consistent and reliable data transfer speeds, allowing businesses to rely on a stable internet connection for critical operations. The connection speed remains constant, regardless of external factors or other users' activities.
Symmetrical Upload and Download Speeds: CIR internet typically offers symmetrical upload and download speeds. This is particularly beneficial for businesses that require efficient data transfer in both directions, such as video conferencing, file sharing, or cloud-based services.
Service Level Agreements (SLAs): CIR internet providers often offer SLAs that outline the quality of service commitments. These agreements define parameters like uptime guarantees, latency, packet loss, and response times for issue resolution, ensuring a high level of service reliability.
Examples and Applications of CIR Internet/Dedicated Internet Service:
Enterprise Connectivity: Large businesses and enterprises often rely on CIR internet to support their critical operations, including cloud-based applications, data backup, video conferencing, and seamless communication between multiple office locations. Dedicated internet service ensures consistent performance and minimizes the risk of connectivity issues that may disrupt business operations.
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs): CDNs deliver online content, such as videos, images, and web pages, to users across the globe. CIR internet enables CDNs to maintain reliable and high-speed connections for content distribution, ensuring fast and uninterrupted access for end-users.
Hosting Providers: Companies that offer web hosting services require dedicated internet connections to deliver fast and reliable hosting services. CIR internet ensures that websites and applications hosted on their servers have consistent and high-speed connectivity, providing an optimal user experience.
Research Institutions and Educational Facilities: Organizations that heavily rely on data-intensive activities, such as research institutions and educational facilities, benefit from CIR internet. It enables seamless access to online resources, collaboration platforms, and large-scale data transfers necessary for research, remote learning, and information sharing.
Nitty-Gritty of CIR Internet/Dedicated Internet Service:
Bandwidth Allocation: With CIR internet, the subscriber is allocated a fixed amount of bandwidth, usually specified in Mbps (Megabits per second) or Gbps (Gigabits per second). This bandwidth remains available for the subscriber's exclusive use, ensuring a consistent level of service.
Traffic Prioritization: CIR internet often provides quality of service (QoS) mechanisms that prioritize critical traffic, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) or video conferencing, to ensure smooth and uninterrupted communication.
Redundancy and Scalability: To enhance reliability, CIR internet can be deployed with redundant connections and failover mechanisms to minimize downtime. Additionally, it offers scalability options, allowing businesses to upgrade their bandwidth as their requirements grow.
Higher Costs: CIR internet generally entails higher costs compared to shared internet services, reflecting the dedicated and guaranteed nature of the connection. The pricing depends on factors such as the desired bandwidth, geographic location, service provider, and additional service features.
In summary, CIR Internet, also referred to as Dedicated Internet Service, provides businesses and organizations with a dedicated and guaranteed bandwidth allocation, ensuring consistent and reliable internet connectivity. It offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, reliability, and SLAs to meet the demands of data-intensive applications, critical operations, and businesses that require uninterrupted connectivity.