Process

SABEN PROCESS

This page provides guidelines around procuring a self-connect to SANReN as well as internet and data networking services delivered over SANReN from SABEN.

Any Educational Institution that is able to demonstrate that it qualifies to join the SANReN network will, on application, and on signature of the SABEN REN (Research and Education Network) Service Agreement, be connected by, and receive services from SABEN.

An eligible Educational Institution must also make provisions to acquire a high-capacity (last-mile) access network connecting its campuses to one or more SANReN points-of-presence (PoPs), such as a nearby public University campus or statutory research centre. Examples of high capacity last mile access connections include the use of optical fibre networks (where available) or licensed wireless radio access networks. A connection to a SANReN PoP can either be programmed through the Meraka Institute or procured through SABEN as a self-funded connection (self-connect).

The following is a list of next steps for procuring a self-connect:

1) Determine Eligibility

Educational Institution (Public or Private) that are recognised by SARS as exempt from income taxes, are eligible to connect to SANReN. Send us an email describing your institution – support at saben dot ac dot za.

2) Submit an Application for all Sites/campuses

Submit an application for each of your sites using the convenient online form.

3) Execute SABEN REN Services Agreement

The REN Services Agreement is a master agreement that outlines the terms of getting connectivity through SABEN. The REN services agreement does not contain any orders or financial commitments on your part, including the specifics around individual circuits, costs, bandwidth, services, etc. The latter are handled as individual orders that become party to this REN agreement. The agreement is available online, as are the Standard Terms and Conditions, Acceptable Use Policy and the Service Level Indicators and Targets.

4) Collaborative Review of Project

The project is studied by a TENET/SCA review team in terms of its impact on the SANReN backbone, the affected SANReN PoP(s) and the SANReN community.

5) Vendor Feasibility

The vendors will conduct a desktop feasibility study to confirm availability of their infrastructure. They might require a site survey to be conducted. Once feasibility has been confirmed, the vendor will supply SABEN with a quotation.

6) Project Service Schedule

Presentation to your Exco and other managers (including CEO, CFO, Corp Services, Academic Services, SCM, IT) is recommended. This is to ensure that the project is reviewed and included within the organization’s strategic and budgeting processes.

7) Presentation to EXCO

Once the final costs are completed, an official cost proposal will be submitted in the form of a SABEN Service Schedule (a de-facto quote), which becomes a party to the REN Services agreement. The Project Service Schedule outlines the CAPEX costs and OPEX costs associated with the access network (including the bandwidth costs).

8) Purchase Order

Once your chief executive officer signs the SABEN Service Schedule, we will send a PO to the vendor which gives them the go ahead to commence the builds.

9) Network Deployment and Service Commissioning

Once the builds are complete, SABEN will commission the physical links, and deploy the necessary networking equipment. (Note, if your college uses an Order Number system for procurement purposes, such a number (for the project CAPEX and for the network OPEX) would need to be in place by the time the build is complete, at which time we will invoice you for the project CAPEX).

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:

1) TENET General Advisory to TVET Colleges
2) Letter from Treasury on the Relationship Between DST, CSIR and TENET