Internet2, ESnet, Infinera, Juniper Networks and Level 3 Communications have agreed to work together to develop and test emerging 100 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) technologies. The initiative aims to create a 100GbE testbed on the Internet2 and ESnet networks with an operational network capability soon thereafter.
In support of the development, Juniper Networks plans to leverage its T1600 core router, which offer 100 Gbps of capacity per slot. Infinera plans to develop the 100 GbE interfaces for the existing Internet2 and ESnet optical networks.
The companies said the development of standards for 100 GbE is a key part of the process to support widespread cost-effective deployment of 100 GbE technology. The IEEE is currently targeting mid-2010 for industry agreement on a 100 GbE standard. The parties will support the effort to create a standard and look forward to implementing that standard.
"Today, researchers have shifted from working in local laboratories to collaborating on a global scale. Massive data streams generated by this new environment are driving exponential growth in the networking needs of our community that could require 100 GbE services by as early as 2010," said Rob Vietzke, Internet2 executive director of network services. "Together with our collaborators we are working to make 100 GbE a reality so researchers will never be bound by their geographic location or bandwidth requirements." http://www.internet2.eduhttp://www.es.net
- In 2006, Internet2 announced an agreement with Level 3 Communications to deploy a new nationwide network, designed to seamlessly add capacity as Internet2 members' needs evolve. Internet2 and the Department of Energy's Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) also announced a partnership to build the next-generation of ESnet on the shared Internet2 infrastructure. Both networks have already experienced rapid growth and as global collaborations continue to expand to nearly every research discipline making the path towards 100 GbE a natural next step.
