NetStar's GigaRouter Selected by MCI for vBNS Network

Strategic Insights -

MCI Communications Corp. has selected the NetStar GigaRouter to support its vBNS (very high-speed Backbone Network Service), the first full-production ATM network installation of the GigaRouter. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the vBNS represents the first operation of a very high-speed network using the Internet Protocol (IP) over a nationwide ATM and SONET-based network.

The GigaRouter takes networking to speeds and bandwidths never before accomplished, providing IP routing among a combination of ATM, FDDI, and HIPPI media in a network that transmits high-bandwidth applications at ATM OC-3c speeds of 155 megabits per second. The vBNS will provide the scientific and engineering community with a new environment for high-speed research and will serve as the national test bed for building new applications, increasing telecommunications speeds, and developing new advanced national networking technology.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NetStar GigaRouter is the first full-production ATM network installation in the world, supporting MCI's vBNS.
  • The vBNS is the first operation of a very high-speed network using the Internet Protocol (IP) over a nationwide ATM and SONET-based network.
  • The GigaRouter provides IP routing among a combination of ATM, FDDI, and HIPPI media in a network that transmits high-bandwidth applications at ATM OC-3c speeds of 155 megabits per second.
  • The vBNS will provide the scientific and engineering community with a new environment for high-speed research.
  • The NetStar routers are installed at each of the five NSF-funded supercomputing centers participating in the launch of the vBNS network.
  • The GigaRouter has the capacity to connect up to 16 networks at each site using any of three media: FDDI, HIPPI, or ATM.
  • Connections can be made between each of the GigaRouter's 16 media cards at one gigabit per second, yielding an aggregate internal rate of 16 gigabits per second.

Statistics:

  • The GigaRouter supports IP routing at speeds of up to 155 megabits per second.
  • The vBNS network is a nationwide ATM and SONET-based network.
  • The GigaRouter has the capacity to connect up to 16 networks at each site.
  • Connections can be made between each of the GigaRouter's 16 media cards at one gigabit per second.
  • The aggregate internal rate of the GigaRouter is 16 gigabits per second.

Sources:

  • Business Wire
  • NetStar, Inc. Press Release
  • MCI Communications Corp.