Internet2 Network
Characteristics Summary
- National footprint: Use 13,000-miles dedicated optical fiber backbone
- Rich services: Provide dynamic and static wavelength services as well as advanced IP capabilities
- Large capacity: Deploy 100 gigabits per second (Gbps) capacity along entire network footprint initially
- Scalability: Allow unlimited availability of addi-tional wavelengths without large capital expenditures
- Carrier-class reliability: Use optical platform with proven, leading operational reliability
- Significant economies of scale: Leverage carrier optical expertise and capital investments for maintenance and equipment sparing
- Dense topology: Support cost-effective add/drop capabilities, provisioning, and redundancy
- Network efficiency: Provide capability for sub-channels using Ethernet or next-generation SONET services
- Reconfigurability: Provision dynamic circuits in seconds and, in the future, allow advance reser-vations of circuits
- Network flexibility: Provision bandwidth in 50 megabits per second (Mbps) increments up to multiple 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) wavelengths
- Support for network research: Allow the creation of logical networks over the same fiber facility for production or experimental uses
- Evolutionary path: Provide potential migration to 40 and 100 Gbps interfaces
- Community control: Ensure complete control over the provisioning of the optical network
