US optical networking developments in support of US Research and Education: FiberCo, a case study and a bit on optical international exchange points (MAN LAN)

Ana Preston, Steve Cotter, Christian Todorov

By mid-2006, it is projected that the US Research and Education community will likely own more than 38,000 miles of fiber . creating and enabling complete new paradigms for the future of advanced networking in support of research and education in this country. During our presentation, we will provide a quick review of the developments and projects that have made this possible, including an update on Internet2.s Abilene network, National Lambda Rail, Internet2.s Hybrid Optical and Packet Infrastructure (HOPI) initiative and FiberCo, and the critical role of state and/or regional-based optical networking efforts in the United States. Particular focus will be on FiberCo, a project established in 2003 by Internet2 to support regional optical networking initiatives dedicated to research and higher education. FiberCo provides a means for acquiring, holding, and assigning dark fiber optic network assets in support of the Internet2 community.s goals of developing and deploying advanced network applications and technologies. FiberCo works very closely with regional networks and universities in the acquisition of dark fibers assets; as of today, more than 10,000 miles have been acquired through FiberCo offerings. Recently, FiberCo started to provide services to universities and regional networks to help them in their planning, build-out, maintenance and operating of their optical infrastructure. The Manhattan Landing exchange point (MAN LAN) is a collaborative effort of several partners (including Internet2), that facilitates peering between U.S. and international research and education networks by providing an open, reliable, high-performance network exchange point in New York City. MAN LAN provides extended capabilities to support peering for IPv4, IPv6, and optical network connections. MAN LAN can also support dedicated optical connections for participants. experimental and production uses. As an optical facility, MAN LAN enables the Internet2 community to actively participate in the Global Lambda Integrated Facility (GLIF) effort, and supports the Internet2 Hybrid Optical and Packet Infrastructure (HOPI) initiative. More information: www.fiberco.org, networks.internet2.edu/manlan, networks.internet2.edu/hopi, www.nlr.net, www.internet2.edu/consolidation.