Internet2 at NJIT - Frequently Asked Questions













Frequently Asked Questions What is Internet2? Internet2® is a non-profit consortium effort to develop and deploy advanced network applications and the network technologies needed to support them. Over 200 member U.S. universities, including NJIT, work closely with partners in industry and government, and with advanced networks around the world. How new is Internet2? It was developed in 1996 as a faster, private alternative to the public Internet. It does not aim to create a new network separate from the Internet, but to ensure that new applications and technologies are deployed to the existing Internet. The e-mail and and the World Wide Web that we access every day (sometimes called the "commodity Internet") are products of earlier investments in academic and federal research networks. more information... Who uses Internet 2? Applications for Internet 2 range from the humanities to the sciences. It is frequently used for research that requires: interactive collaboration and instruction real-time access to remote scientific instruments shared virtual reality multi-media services It also supports the development of applications such as virtual laboratories, digital libraries, distance education and tele-immersion. It offers less traffic than the commercial Internet and far greater speed. How fast is Internet 2? The Internet2 backbone has a capacity of 10 Gigabits per second (Gbps) making it more than 15,000 times faster than a typical home broadband connection. How does NJIT actually connect to Internet2? The Abilene Network is the high-performance network developed by the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) in partnership with Qwest Communications, Nortel Networks, Cisco Systems and Indiana University as part of the Internet2 project. A primary goal of Abilene is to provide a high-performance backbone network for the Internet2 community. Abilene uses high-speed SONET facilities and IP-over-SONET routers, accessible to GigaPoPs in several dozen locations nationwide, to support the Internet2 infrastructure. Abilene enables faculty and staff at Internet2 universities and research labs to develop and test advanced network services and applications. NJIT connects through NJEDge.net (New Jersey's Higher Education Network) and in turn through the MAGPI GigaPoP (Gigabit Point of Presence). MAGPI is our regional network aggregation point or gigaPoP which is a central point where customers meet and exchange traffic. MAGPI is run by the University of Pennsylvnia that serves to aggregate network traffic destined for advanced Internet2 networks such as Abilene. MAGPI connects other approved research and education institions in the Pennylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware regions. MAGPI connects K-12 schools, Higher Ed, Corporate R&Ds and hospitals to the Internet2 backbone network and is also its own regional high performance network. Currently, MAGPI operates at an OC12 (622 Mbps) connection to Abilene. How do I actually get on Internet2 and use its capabilities? No special cables, connections, or equipment are needed to be connected to Internet2. In most cases, the NJIT data network automatically chooses Internet2 if you are connecting with another Internet2 member. However, to get the full advantages of Internet2 access, workstations and servers should be at least 10 Mbps (with applications requiring 100 Mbps) and workstations must be able to sustain high bandwidth applications (this might require the addition of additional memory or an upgrade to a higher speed processor or higher speed internal bus). Security measures (such as firewalls) may need special configuration to permit access to Internet2 networks. Videoconferencing applications over Internet2 require codecs that use the H.323 (IP) protocol and specific applications may have other additional requirements in order to fully use Internet2.