City Looking to Replace Its Internal Computer Network

Brecksville is in the process of looking for a new way to connect city buildings when Time Warner shuts off its free I-Net connection this January.

The I-Net, or institutional network, is a series of fibers that connect buildings like , the and the buildings at Blossom Hill, allowing employees to connect on a private computer network, said Kathy Haystrick, the city’s network administrator. The set-up connects the allowed computers and keeps other businesses and users out.

Up until now, the city has used the system free of charge as part of a 1999 franchise agreement with Cablevision. Time Warner later took that agreement over.

Time Warner notified the city of the impending shut-off in September, and the city has been looking for a cost-effective way to replace it and maintain their secure, private network.

Travis Reynolds, a representative from Time Warner, said in an email that the provision that allowed for the free network expires on Jan. 20. The company is discussing options with the city to continue the service, but it will no longer be for free.

The city could continue to use Time Warner’s fibers by signing on to a contract or paying a monthly fee—an option they don’t want to use for long. Haystrick said the city would likely continue with the service on a temporary basis while a consultant designs new network connections and goes out to bid. The city would have to pay between $2,600 and $3,300 per month to maintain the system, according to estimates. The rate would vary, depending on whether the city went with a month-by-month plan or a yearly rate.

According to city documents, Cablevision built and owns the fibers between , the and centers and Blossom Hill. The city installed and owns fibers that connect the and the Service Department buildings to that system. The new connections will just have to replace those owned by Time Warner.