The Networking Services of DREN III are provided by a virtual Wide Area Network (WAN) built on a commercial communications network and provide digital data transfer services between defined Service Delivery Points (SDP) that comprise the DREN.

SDPs are specified in terms of bandwidth requirements, physical interface, and transport protocols. The SDP is where the provider's service network ends and the customer premises network begins. Interconnectivity is provided internally between DREN SDPs, as well as externally with DoD, Federal, research, academic, and other Government-designated networks at both private and public Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). All DREN customer locations have the ability to reach the Internet via DREN connectivity.

DREN III services are delivered to the customer via the SDP on an interface that supports the service ordered. Ethernet services have an industry-standard connector and signal format commensurate with the service rate ordered. The customer interface for an optical service has an industry-standard connector accepting a single-mode fiber carrying one or more lambdas in the C-Band. Customers may order one or more interfaces on a SDP to support Ethernet service delivery (which includes both VLAN service and IP packet-based service delivery over Ethernet) and/or Optical services. Individual enclaves, including SDREN enclaves, behind an SDP should have a separate interface port on the SDP.

See available Ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) Bandwidths and customer interface types.

Each enclave connecting to a DREN SDP (for DREN, SDREN, or Outreach Services) must review and complete the applicable connection package as follows: