Next Part Of Internet2 Backbone Unveiled By Gore

Computergram International, April 15, 1998

Vice-president and resident US government internet enthusiast Al Gore yesterday unveiled the latest addition to the Internet2 high-speed IP backbone project. Project Abilene as the network is known, is being developed by University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), the non-profit company established last year to look after the interests of more than 120 universities involved in building the network.

Qwest Communications will provide its Macro Capacity fiber network nationwide while Cisco Systems Inc and Northern Telecom Ltd will provide additional network technologies. Internet2 will be used for applications such as virtual laboratories, digital libraries and distance learning. The Abilene part will be fully functional by the end of next year. Abilene, along with very high speed Backbone Network Service (vBNS) will form the Internet2 backbone.