Network Management Policy
Zirrus (“Zirrus” or “Company”) provides this Policy in order to disclose its network
management practices in accordance with the FCC’s Open Internet Rules. Information about
Zirrus’ other policies and practices concerning broadband are available at www.zirrus.com
(“Zirrus Website”).
Zirrus manages its network to ensure that all of its customers experience a safe and secure
broadband Internet environment that is fast, reliable and affordable. Zirrus wants its
customers to indulge in all that the Internet has to offer, whether it is social networking,
streaming videos and music, to communicating through email and videoconferencing.
Zirrus manages its network for a number of reasons, including optimization, as well as
congestion- and security-protocol-management. Zirrus’ customers generally will not be
impacted by the protocols and practices that Zirrus uses to manage its network.
Zirrus’ Network Management Practices
Zirrus uses various tools and industry standard techniques to manage its network and deliver
fast, secure and reliable Internet service. Such management tools and practices include the
following:
I. Managing Congestion
Zirrus manages congestion by periodically monitoring its network at every interface
throughout the core network. Zirrus uses software that takes snapshots and graphs in fiveminute increments to demonstrate bandwidth utilization. This method is used and checked
daily. Zirrus manages bandwidth usage on its network in the aggregate. In order to decrease
instances of congestion on the network, Zirrus increases its backbone and uplink capacity, as
needed. Zirrus is also transitioning the subscriber network to Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH)
technology.
On Zirrus’ network, all customers have access to all legal services, applications and content
online and, in the event of congestion, most Internet activities will be unaffected. Some
customers, however, may experience longer download or upload times, or slower surf speeds
on the web if instances of congestion do occur on Zirrus’ network.
Customers using conduct that abuses or threatens the Zirrus network or which violates the
company’s Acceptable Use Policy, Internet service Terms and Conditions, or the Internet
Service Agreement will be asked to stop any such use immediately. A failure to respond or to
cease any such conduct could result in service suspension or termination.
Zirrus’ network and congestion management practices are ‘application-agnostic’, based on
current network conditions, and are not implemented on the basis of customers’ online
activities, protocols or applications. Zirrus’ network management practices do not relate to
any particular customer’s aggregate monthly data usage.
II. Network Security
Zirrus knows the importance of securing its network and customers from network threats and
annoyances. The company has implemented Greymail to filter customers’ incoming emails and
quarantine any messages that may be perceived as a threat. Customers may access and control
whether these messages are kept or discarded. Customers may forward any messages deemed
safe to the customer’s inbox. Greymail may be viewed for 14 days and it is then deleted.
Greymail is accessible by logging into Webmail or by going to the MyAccount login.
As its normal practice, Zirrus does not block any protocols, content or traffic for purposes of
network management except that the company may block or limit such traffic as viruses,
malware, or denial of service attacks to protect network integrity and the security of our
customers.
Except as may be provided elsewhere herein, Zirrus does not currently engage in any
application-specific behaviors nor does it employ any device attachment rules for its network.
III. Monitoring Schedule
Zirrus monitors the aggregate bandwidth utilization on its network daily. Zirrus also checks for
abnormal traffic flows, network security breaches, malware, loss, and damage to the network.
If a breach is detected or high volume users are brought to light by complaint, Zirrus provides
notification to the customer via email or phone. If a violation of Zirrus’ policies has occurred
and such violation is not remedied, Zirrus will seek to suspend or terminate that customer’s
service.
IV. Network Management Technology
Zirrus employs a variety of industry-standard tools, applications and devices to monitor, secure
and maintain its network, including technology network graphing solutions, which Zirrus uses
to analyze the condition of its network.
V. Service Descriptions
A description of Zirrus’ services and pricing may be found on the Zirrus website.
VI. Network Performance
Zirrus makes every effort to support advertised speeds. The company has a speed test site
within its network hosted by NeoNova wherein Zirrus and its customers may test actual
download and upload speeds. Zirrus strives to meet internal service level targets. However,
customer’s service performance may also be affected by one or more of the following: (1) the
particular websites being accessed; (2) capacity in the public Internet beyond Zirrus’ network;
(3) customer’s computer and equipment (including wireless router); and (4) inside wiring at
customer’s premise.
Zirrus is in the process of developing additional systems that will allow us to measure these
indicators out to test points at each major network aggregation site on the edge of our lastmile
network. Once these systems are developed, Zirrus will be able to measure system metrics on a
network-wide basis and will disclose the results on itswebsite.
VI. Specialized Services
Zirrus provides Internet-Protocol-Television (IPTV) services to end users. Throughout the core
of the network, IPTV traffic is segregated from all other traffic (best effort voice, data) into a
separate virtual router function within each router. In this way, IPTV maintains a separate
routing process from all other traffic. No routing process is given priority over another at this
time; however, the quality of service maps are in place and we are working with our vendors to
develop a process of prioritizing traffic.
In the last mile, voice, data and IPTV traffic are separated into separate VLANs. No VLAN is
given priority over another at this time. Currently, there is not enough traffic generated on our
network to exceed the bandwidth constraints or the limitations of our equipment’s forwarding
queues. Therefore, this lack of prioritization does affect service. Prioritization, however, will be
implemented in the future.
VII. Commercial Terms
In addition to this Network Management Policy, patrons may also find links to the following on
Zirrus’ website:
▪ Frequently Asked Questions(“FAQs”)
▪ Acceptable Use Policy
▪ Internet Service Agreement
▪ Privacy Policy
For questions, complaints or requests for additional information, please contact Zirrus at:
Repair: 336-463-5047