A next generation Internet - already in use!!!

My last entry focused on the fact the current underlying structure of the Internet had a flaw (IPv4) in it that original researchers never considered - that 4 billion addresses would not meet their needs. Another important factor in the need for the next generation Internet is the massive amount of data that is exchanged over the Internet that continues to grow with no end in sight.

The original creators of what is our current Internet were government agencies, researchers and universities. As the Internet became easily accessible to the consumer, this group continued to use the Internet alongside you and me. With available bandwidth and security both growing concerns to this group, they began testing new networks for their own use. This network is maintained by the Internet2 consortium, made up of you guessed it, government agencies, research centers and universities.

Internet2’s network began over 10 years ago to meet these bandwidth problems and security needs. As research tools generated more data, as high quality video became digitized, and as more and more educational material was converted to text, using an existing Internet like the World Wide Web for example, was less and less practical. Researchers needed the ability to exchange massive amounts of data to each other at speeds unavailable at the time.

Internet2’s initial network brought speeds of 100 Mbps when we were all connecting to the World Wide Web with 56K modems. By the time DSL and cable operators provided us a 1.5Gbps download speed, Internet2’s network provided 10Gbps. Their existing provides 100Gbps and should provide 400Gbps by 2012. See graphic for history of speed of ESNet (Energy Sciences Network), an Internet2 provided network.



Over this time, their network has been upgraded at least three times, from early days with MCI provided connections, to a long-running network nicknamed Abilene (provided by Sprint) to today’s fiber-only network provided by Level 3 Communications which can theoretically supply the 400Gbps speeds.

From a member university of the Internet2 consortium, their purpose is threefold:
To create and sustain a leading edge network capability for the national research community.
To direct network development efforts to enable a new generation of applications to fully exploit the capabilities of broadband networks.
To work to rapidly transfer new network services and applications to all levels of educational use and to the broader Internet community, both nationally and internationally.

In just ten years, the Internet2 consortium has made great strides in accomplishing these goals. Member organizations regularly perform speed tests to try to continue to push the envelope of network speed over a distance. Internet2 recognizes achievements in their I2 – Land Speed Record contest. Year after year, new records are set. Ongoing competitions like this help the consortium continue to meet is goals and achieve its purpose.

While the original Internet was built upon the research and needs of government agencies, universities and research centers, so will this next generation Internet. As our lives become more intertwined with the devices we carry, the entertainment we demand, and the connection with the rest of the world we desire, a reliable, fast and secure network will be required. The members of the Internet2 consortium are paving the way for that network!