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Effective access to NASA's Earth Observation System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) depends on the end-to-end network connectivity between users and geographically-distributed, discipline-specific Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs). This connectivity is provided by an EOSDIS internal logical network known as NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Mission Support network (EMSn) and an external logical network known as the EOS Science Support network (ESSn). These two logical networks consist of a variety of physical networks including wide area and local area networks.

The EMSn is made up of local-area and wide-area communication circuits and facilities between and among various EOS ground system elements to support EOS mission operations and mission-critical data transfers.

The ESSn is a globally connected logical or virtual science data communication network consisting of several segments of shared IP-based internal and external physical networks (such as the NASA Integrated Services Network (NISN) and the Internet2 IP backbone) to serve the diverse needs of NASA's worldwide science and research community.

EMSn and ESSn both utilize the LAN at GSFC named EBNet (EOS Backbone Network). EBNet provides an Open environment which, while providing security, allows appropriate science data to be transmitted via the Internet and Internet2 to various end users. The Closed side of EBnet has enhanced security and transports mission-critical data to various EOSDIS subsystems and ground stations via a secure network.

Map of U.S. with colored lines indicating national WAN network.
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The EOS network includes Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), Science Investigator-led Processing Systems (SIPS), ground stations, and other networks.