Data network connection options

AEMO Australian Energy Market Operator provides two types of connection options:

A permanent continuous connection.
A variable connection, intermittently connected for short durations. For security reasons, the connection is dropped if there is no activity for 30 minutes.

Table 1 explains the choices required for your registration application.

Table 1 MarketNet data network connection options

Connection	Type	Details
Dedicated Link	Permanent	A dedicated connection takes more time to set up. Telstra advise setting up a dedicated connection takes at least 20 business days. A dedicated connection, such as Frame Relay or BDSL, is from the participant router, via the telecommunication provider’s Bearer, to AEMO’s IPWAN. The participant, with AEMO’s assistance, is responsible for arranging the subscription link with their chosen telecommunication provider—including the access costs. Please contact AEMO’s Support Hub to find out if AEMO supports your preferred technology for a dedicated link.
VPN LAN to LAN	Permanent	VPN LAN to LAN is quick to set up. VPN connections are set up directly between the participant and AEMO. The connection is from the participant firewall, using the internet, to AEMO’s VPN Concentrator. Internet VPN is by use of a firewall, router, or VPN device, which has access to the internet. This connection allows multiple servers at the participant site to establish connections with AEMO servers securely using the internet. This connection type provides a similar service to dedicated links. An IPsec-compliant VPN device is required at the participant site to enable this type of connection.
VPN variable	Variable	Internet Variable VPN connection from a workstation, using the internet, to VPN Concentrator. Internet Workstation VPN requires installation of a Cisco VPN client software package. For security reasons, the connection drops if there is no activity for 30 minutes. The workstation connection operates like a dial-up MarketNet connection. It allows individual workstations in a participant company to establish connections with AEMO servers. The AEMO preferred method to enable this type of connection is to install Cisco VPN client software, available for Windows and Unix-like systems. AEMO supplies this software, pre-configured for your use, in conjunction with at least one RSA SecurID token.

Connection

Type

Details

Dedicated Link

Permanent

A dedicated connection takes more time to set up. Telstra advise setting up a dedicated connection takes at least 20 business days.

A dedicated connection, such as Frame Relay or BDSL, is from the participant router, via the telecommunication provider’s Bearer, to AEMO’s IPWAN. The participant, with AEMO’s assistance, is responsible for arranging the subscription link with their chosen telecommunication provider—including the access costs.

Please contact AEMO’s Support Hub to find out if AEMO supports your preferred technology for a dedicated link.

VPN LAN to LAN

Permanent

VPN LAN to LAN is quick to set up. VPN connections are set up directly between the participant and AEMO.

The connection is from the participant firewall, using the internet, to AEMO’s VPN Concentrator. Internet VPN is by use of a firewall, router, or VPN device, which has access to the internet.

This connection allows multiple servers at the participant site to establish connections with AEMO servers securely using the internet. This connection type provides a similar service to dedicated links. An IPsec-compliant VPN device is required at the participant site to enable this type of connection.

VPN variable

Variable

Internet Variable VPN connection from a workstation, using the internet, to VPN Concentrator. Internet Workstation VPN requires installation of a Cisco VPN client software package. For security reasons, the connection drops if there is no activity for 30 minutes.

The workstation connection operates like a dial-up MarketNet connection. It allows individual workstations in a participant company to establish connections with AEMO servers.

The AEMO preferred method to enable this type of connection is to install Cisco VPN client software, available for Windows and Unix-like systems. AEMO supplies this software, pre-configured for your use, in conjunction with at least one RSA SecurID token.