What is LambdaRail  l  Key Benefits  l  Strategic Importance  l  Why FLR?

Florida LambdaRail (FLR) is the beginning of the communication network for the future; a file that was previously too large to email will be a drop in the ocean with the LambdaRail system.  The Florida LambdaRail, LLC (FLR) was created to facilitate advanced research, education, and economic development activities in the State of Florida, utilizing next generation network technologies, protocols, and services.

In 2008, the EDC initiated a partnership with the University of West Florida, Okaloosa County and the State of Florida to provide FLR to Okaloosa County educational and research institutions to include Eglin Air Force Base.

The EDC served as the management lead to oversee the Emerald Coast Advanced Research Network (ECARN) project team consisting of the EDC, University of West Florida and Okaloosa County for the implementation of plan-of-action, methodology and timeline for the Eglin Air Force Base and Fort Walton Beach FLR loop project.  The EDC was the receipient of two state grants which funded the installation of the FLR system into Okaloosa County.  The University of West Florida performed as the technical coordinator for the FLR backbone requirements based on the statewide fiber optic network infrastructure charter.  Okaloosa County’s Information Systems Department monitored the physical work for the connectivity of the EAFB FWB FLR connectivity loop.

This project linked in to the existing Florida Lambda Rail fiber network just east of the City of Crestview and extends south into the Shalimar and Fort Walton Beach area connecting four educational institutions to include the location of the future Emerald Coast Technology & Research Center on UF’s REEF campus. 

 The FLR is complementary to the National LambdaRail (NLR) initiative, a national high-speed research network initiative for research universities and technology companies. The FLR provides opportunities for Florida university faculty members, researchers, and students to collaborate with colleagues around the world on leading edge research projects. The FLR also supports the State of Florida’s economic development and high-tech aspirations.  The NLR connects into Florida in Pensacola and Jacksonville.

What is LambdaRail? 

• Ultra-high performance bandwidth and capability making many of the world’s most demanding research projects possible.
• The National LambdaRail (NLR) is a 15,000+ mile fiber optic infrastructure network for delivering data/communication.
• Owned and operated by U.S. universities and university consortia, NLR is an innovation platform for academia and public-private partnerships.
• Purpose is to serve education, research, and economic development efforts.
• Two U.S. levels: A national backbone network, which links to regional/state networks; i.e. Florida LambdaRail.

Florida LambdaRail – Key Benefits 

• State universities’ network connected to NLR and international connections.
• Direct linkages between regional educational networks.
• Capability to construct special-purpose networks for specific needs using lambdas – down to the level of individual projects/events.
• A dedicated research and education network for Florida, able to support next-generation research in various disciplines.
• Affordable high bandwidth – for distance education delivery, access to electronic resources, and collaborative projects.
• Support for governmental and non-profit services and regional economic development.

LambdaRail’s Strategic Importance 

• Increasingly the network is becoming the virtual laboratory and classroom and the new foundation for research collaboration, particularly in the sciences.
• The network is also a primary transportation infrastructure driving the “new economy” of the information age.
• LambdaRail is the global backbone for expanding that capability throughout our local service region and for providing these capabilities to our partners.

In 2008, the Okaloosa EDC had a unique opportunity to apply for state funding through Enterprise Florida to supply and expand Florida LambdaRail connectivity from its east-west Florida pathway south from Crestview to the new Emerald Coast Technology and Research Center (ECTRC).  The ECTRC’s synergistic consortium design will offer opportunities for universities, the military, and the private sector to collaborate on leading edge projects in aviation and other high-technology fields, and work toward prototyping and commercialization.  This will be a significant and critical asset in enhancing high-technology R&D capabilities and competitiveness to the ECTRC and Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field. 

Through the EDC’s grant’s administration and collaboration with Okaloosa County and UWF, additional connectivity points have been accomplished throughout Okaloosa County and Eglin AFB, with future connectivity into Niceville’s Emergency Operations Center.

* For additional information on the Florida LambdaRail contact Kay Rasmussen, Director of Defense & Economic Initiatives at kayr@florida-edc.org or 850-362-6467.