At 11:08 a.m. 29/12/2003 +1300, Tony Wicks wrote:

I hate to be a stick in the mud, but once you have your Auckland to Wellington fiber, you will then need a second one to back it up for the times that someone dig's it up while putting in a new drain. And then getting across the cook straight etc etc.

Couldn't agree more Tony. I just wanted to show how "cheap" it was, but also that there is a market for it. I was going to say "if only someone had the time" but Roger did and has (almost) done it. I also think we need to add to this discussion that its easy to talk about building a network, but running one needs a certain experience that isn't easy to get hold of. There's a huge difference between running a few routers/wireless nodes and a network. We struggle with this at CityLink. A utility network just thinks differently and works differently and does things differently. Just because you can use a handycam, it doesn't mean you can run a TV station. Equally, just because you have a few routers, servers and wireless link, doesn't mean you can run a network. I learned a HUGE amount and have HUGE respect for the guys I worked for in the power industry for 14 years. I hope I use that learning well. Yes DO build networks, but look at how the others OPERATE. rich Tony is so right about the cable getting cut. You have to be aware it IS going to happen. We once had teh same substation catch fire twice on ONE week end (we could change the whole sub with a crane - kerbside kiosk type). Equally just after spending 3 night shifting our first CityLink node (about 5-600 fiber ccts) a major cable got cut. You have to have spares for multiple hits, have the resources (people) and proceedures so that things get done even when you're a zombie. I worked 120 hours that week on 9 hrs sleep - 2 of which were in my bed. The cut was on june 13, 2003 - a friday.