VBNS - THE INTERNET FAST LANE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

The very-high-speed Backbone Network Service (vBNS) is a National Scie nce Foundation (NSF) sponsored high-performance network service implem ented by MCI. It was first implemented as an IP/ATM network with an OC -3 (155 Mb/s) infrastructure. The vBNS was activated on a test basis l ate in 1994, and the full network topology was on-line in early 1995. The NSF's high-performance connections program is now expanding the vB NS to reach more research and education (R&E) institutions, and the vB NS backbone is currently being upgraded to OC-12 (622 Mb/s) speeds. Th e vBNS supports scientific applications between NSF-supported supercom puter centers (SCCs), directly connected research institutions, and re search institutions that are served by other networks. The vBNS also p rovides a test environment for early deployment and evaluation of new internetworking technologies.