Internet2 @ KanREN

What is Internet2

Internet2 a colloborative project by hundreds of universities and advanced research organizations from around the world. Internet2's primary goals and objectives include:

• First and most importantly, creating and sustaining a leading edge network capability for the national research community.
• Second, directing network development efforts to enable a new generation of applications to fully exploit the capabilities of broadband networks.
• Third, working to rapidly transfer new network services and applications to all levels of educational use and to the broader Internet community, both nationally and internationally.

How do I get to Internet2?

KanREN supports Interent2 connectivity for all of its members via a 10Gbps link to the Great Plains Network (GPN).

GPN is a consortium of regional optical networks and "statenets" in Midwestern states. From a technicial perspective, GPN facilitates a larger community of networking professionals and researchers. For an organizational perspective, GPN provides a single "jump-off" point into Internet2. This allows for cost sharing amongst multiple states wishing access to I2.

Why is Internet2 Important?

Internet2 is important in different ways to different user groups.

• For researchers, it opens many opportunities for collaboration with peers across the world.
• For networkers, I2 provides access to the newest, bleed-edge technology from the people who are constantly reinventing The Internet.
• For real-time video users, I2 provides stable, undersubscribed access to most universities' front doorsteps at extremely low latency.

This diversity sometimes leads to one user group believing I2 was built for only their use. This is simply not the case; Internet2 was built and continues to thrive because it supports ALL user groups' needs.

Internet2 Myths and Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Myth: Internet2 is an Interactive Distance Learning (real-time video) network.

   Answer: While h.323 video is an excellent candidate for Internet2 transport, Internet2 represents much more than simple IDL video sessions. More than anything else, Interent2 is an opportunity for collaboration amongst people in geographically diverse areas of the world. Many collaboration opportunities exist and users are encouraged to check the Interent2 website for a listing of I2 Communities and Technical Working Groups.

2. Myth: Internet2 requires special addressing.

   Answer: This is completely false. Internet2 is like any other external BGP peering session. Based upon routes provided by Internet2, KanREN's backbone routing nodes will select whether Internet2 provides the best path to reach your destination. In other words, if you're a KanREN member, you're connected to Internet2.

3. Myth: If I'm trying to reach another university, my traffic is using Internet2.

   Answer: Not all universites are I2 participants. To check your destination, please check the Internet2 member list (KanREN is an R&E Network Member). Additionally, some universities and organizations do not provide I2 access to all of their workstations. For example, some universities do not advertise IP blocks used by their residence halls due to small circuits into I2.

4. Question: How can I tell if I'm connected to Interent2?

   Answer: One of the best methods of determining YOUR device's connectivity to Interenet2 is to perform a traceroute to www.internet.edu. Additional questions should be forwarded through your organization's technical support and networking groups.