Hybrid fibre network solution for 'world's largest' building society

Jan. 10, 2003

10 January 2003 -- Fibernet Group plc is to provide the UK's Nationwide Building Society with a secure storage systems based on a fibre optic network.

- Nationwide protects customer data with optical network

10 January 2003 -- Fibernet Group plc is to provide the UK's Nationwide Building Society with a secure storage systems based on a fibre optic network.

The network will enable the client to implement real time replication and restoration of data and business critical applications, using Fibre channel and Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology.

The fibre optic network will link Nationwide's Swindon and Northampton data centres in the UK, extending some 158km. Its primary function will be real time replication of data stored on servers and mainframes at the Society's main technical centres.

The network will allow Nationwide to perform 'synchronous mirroring' between sites using a fibre channel and DWDM solution, supplied by Fibernet. Rollout completion is scheduled for the first half of 2003.

Chris Woolhouse, Purchasing Manager at Nationwide said "We chose Fibernet's hybrid managed service because it gave us the control over the network we needed, allowing us the flexibility to utilise our support facility to best advantage, whilst ensuring that Fibernet was still in a position to be able to meet our stringent service level requirements.

"As Fibernet is partnering with HP, which already supplies support services to Nationwide, the chosen solution will easily integrate into our existing support regime. The length of the network is also a crucial factor where synchronous mirroring is concerned, and Fibernet was able to work with us to provide the shortest distance to ensure reliability."

Charles McGregor, Chief Executive of Fibernet said, "With more than 20 large financial institutions now depending upon Fibernet's national and metropolitan optical networking services to meet their business continuity and disaster recovery needs, we are confident that the service we will provide to Nationwide will demonstrate our commitment to deliver the most innovative, reliable, scalable and cost effective network services."