FAQs | Syringa Networks

How do I get assistance if I’m experiencing
an issue with my service?

If you are experiencing a technical problem affecting your service, please call our 24-hour customer support team at 800-454-7214. Alternatively, if you have a Customer Portal account, you can create a ticket here.

Who has access to my account?

Only you have access to your account. Our technical support team can also access your account to provide support.

Can others in my company view my requests
and issue status?

Yes. Please contact us during office hours at 208-229-6100. We will associate your company profiles to you as the requestor. Permissions will then be set accordingly.

How do I make changes to my service?

We would be happy to discuss your networking needs. Likewise, your account representative is always available to assist you. If you do not know who your account representative is, please call us at 208-229-6100 or email us at sales@syringanetworks.net.

Whom do I contact to establish new services?

We are always available to discuss your needs and how we can help. You can reach any of our experienced sales executives by calling 208-229-6100 or by emailing us at sales@syringanetworks.net.

Does Syringa Networks provide residential
network services?

Not at this time. Our current focus is serving our business customers’ needs throughout Idaho, Utah, and globally.

Whom do I contact for billing issues
or questions?

Direct contact information is provided on all customer invoices. Please contact us at 208-229-6100 to connect with our Accounting Department.

Where is Syringa Networks located?

Syringa Networks is headquartered in Boise, Idaho with additional offices throughout Idaho and Utah.

How does your network architecture
compare with other providers in the
service area?

Most national providers have a limited number of edge devices that allow for customer access within a given state. Because our network architecture is based on a regional approach, we offer many more edge devices within the states we service than larger providers. This means that we are able to offer reduced network latencies, increased service reliability, and expanded customer access.

How does Syringa Networks monitor customer
circuits and services?

Our Network Operations Center (NOC) is staffed 24/7 to respond to any issues that are identified in a timely manner. For circuits that have our premise equipment installed, we utilize an SNMP-based management system to monitor premise equipment using automated queries and traps.

Does Syringa Networks offer Virtual Private
LAN Service (VPLS)?

Yes, we offer VPLS for customers who require a Layer 2 switched Ethernet service for multipoint, full-mesh connectivity.

Why is Syringa Networks infrastructure better?

No other provider in Idaho can match the low latency our network provides, which is typically less than 15ms. This is made possible by our nine core routers, 38 provider edge routers in LATA 652 in a diverse, ringed topology around the state.

Can optical fiber be used for longer
distances than copper cabling?

Optical fiber allows data to be sent far greater distances than copper cabling, and it requires less repeater devices than are required by other types of cabling. With copper cabling, high bandwidth can be transmitted, but only for short distances.

How secure is optical fiber?

Optical fiber cabling provides an extremely secure transmission medium. This is due to the fact that there is no way to detect the data being transmitted by “listening in” to the electromagnetic signal as is possible with traditional copper. Since fiber optic cabling does not radiate magnetic fields - the light (photons) is confined within the fiber making it impossible to tap the signal without cutting into the fiber.

Who uses MPLS-based IP-VPN?

Over the past few years, the benefits of private MPLS-based IP-VPNs have been realized by many different users in state and local government, education, and business enterprises. According to a recent International Data Corporation (IDC) survey, over 30% of all enterprises are using IP-VPN today.

What does MPLS stand for and what is it?

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a protocol used to improve packet performance and control traffic in the core of the Internet and private IP networks that originated from tag switching methods created by Ipsilon Networks and Cisco Systems in the late 1990s. While it continues to be widely used for that purpose, it has also been adapted for other uses. MPLS encapsulates data packets, adding packet headers that enable a variety of features which are in wide use in business-critical services.

What is a Private MPLS-Based IP-VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) links two or more devices together via a local or wide-area network, while encapsulating the data and keeping it private. There are several types of VPNs in use today, but in general VPNs can be categorized as either public or private.

What is the difference between public
and private VPNs?

A Public VPN, sometimes referred to as a CPE-based VPN, utilizes the public Internet as the core transport backbone. A Private VPN, usually referred to as a MPLS IP-VPN, utilizes a service provider’s private infrastructure as the transport backbone for the VPN.

Why use a Private MPLS-Based IP-VPN?

MPLS-based IP-VPN is a rapidly expanding technology that provides a number of advantages to its users such as scalability, security, redundancy, and operational efficiencies. Although certain limitations exist, they are easily out-weighed with wide industry support, the security of a service provider’s private backbone, and the ability to utilize any transport which all adds up to a cost-effective, secure VPN solution.

What is the difference between Static
Routing and BGP?

Static routing is simple but less scalable than BGP. It works well for organizations that need redundant Internet at a single location. When you require redundancy to the Internet, BGP presents many options that static routing is unable to achieve. These include load-balancing and diversity between hardware, providers, and geographical areas.

Can Syringa Networks provide Interlata
connectivity from Idaho to the rest of the
country?

We have strategic relationships with Interlata transport providers, and with other companies similar to us across the nation. We provide access and backhaul services where we are the customer’s single point of contact, and take ownership of each individual circuit element back to the customer’s network.

Does Syringa Networks bundle equipment
and network services?

We can configure and bundle equipment with our network services, or interface with existing customer premise equipment. If we are working with equipment already in place, we have the knowledge and expertise to assist with device configuration, including command line interface.

Can IPv4 MPLS Backbone be used with IPv6?

If you are a large Internet Service Provider or Enterprise, you may have implemented MPLS throughout your IPv4 network. Utilizing the existing IPv4 MPLS backbone, you can quickly offer IPv6 services with a technology called 6PE (IPv6 Provider Edge).

Can BGP be used at several locations?

If your organization is geographically diverse, BGP will allow you to take in Internet connections to several locations, from several providers all over the world, while maintaining a single presence on the Internet. It also allows you to load balance between multiple connections and providers.

For a single location which is preferred:
Static Routing or BGP?

Static routing is the simpler way to multi-home for organizations working from a single location. However, BGP is much more scalable and flexible for large, multi-campus companies and organizations.

What is the difference between copper
cabling and fiber optic networks?

Generally, copper cabling has a limited bandwidth capability due to the physical properties of copper over distance; whereas optical fiber has a virtually unlimited bandwidth capability. This enables optical fiber to provide data transmission performance up to 10 Gb, 40 Gb, and even 100 Gb with new hardware that is now available. This provides network designers an easier path for bandwidth upgrades in the future.

Does Syringa Networks have a NOC?

Syringa Networks has two Network Operation Centers (NOCs) in Boise and Idaho Falls that are operated 24/7/365.

What is the difference between IPv4
and IPv6 address space?

IPv6 has extended the address field from 32 bits to 128 bits, or 340 trillion, trillion, trillion addresses. This is a great deal more than the 4.3 billion addresses possible with IPv4.

What equipment is needed for IPv6?

You will need to determine if your LAN equipment can support IPv6 to IPv4 in a dual stack. Be sure that your network security equipment supports the processing of IPv6 in hardware and software. For example, some, but not all Cisco routers and switches process packets in hardware using CEF (Cisco Express Forwarding) technology. Contact us for a site assessment and we would be happy to analyze your existing configuration.

Can BGP be used on multiple routers?

BGP allows you to bring diverse Internet connections into multiple routers. Each router would peer with upstream provider(s) over what is called an E-BGP (external) link. Internally, your routers would peer with each other over an I-BGP (internal) link. This allows them to all be in sync, and to alert each other when a BGP path is down.

Does Syringa Networks support MPLS?

Our core network natively supports MPLS, VPLS, and Psuedo wire. A customer can opt for MPLS tag switched Layer 3 connectivity with either static routes or BGP route distribution.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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