The vBNS currently has a high performance OC-12c network as well as a stand-alone OC-12c test network. The OC-12 network is stable, has high throughput, and is uncongested with an average utilization of less than 50%. It has high-speed connections with both Federal and International NSF designated R&E networks, as well as network traffic and performance monitoring. A diagram of the network can be seen Here. This picture was created by the vBNS; you may not want to view it if you have a slow connection, because it is rather large.
The vBNS also supports advanced routing services. The vBNS utilizes Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) and Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) to attain high speeds. ATM and SONET are advanced switching and fiber optic transmission technologies which, when combined, enable very high speed and very high capacity "on demand" transmissions of combined voice, data, and video signals. The high speeds attained by the vBNS are enabled by the connection of Internet Protocol (IP) through an ATM switching matrix, run through a SONET network.
This page was created by Erin Piateski.
Questions, comments? E-mail me at home or at school.
