2002 - cesnet

23 ConclusionThe current development of the National Research and Education Networksin the world is heading towards optical networks established by customers(Customer Empowered Fibre network, CEF). CESNET set off on this journeyas one of the first organizations at the time when only a few supported thistrend – CESNET prepared the 311 km long Prague–Brno line with the bandwidthof 2.5 Gbps employing leased optical fibres in 1999 and started operation of thiscircuit in 2000.In 2002, the association established two lines utilizing the state-of-the-art technologycreated with a method entitled NIL (Nothing-In-Line approach): a 189 kmlong line of Prague–Pardubice and a slightly shorter line of Prague–Ústí n. L. withthe transfer rate of 1 Gbps (2.5 Gbps was tested as well). The results achievedwere presented at the TERENA conference. In connection, CESNET started todeal with the issue of installing dispersion compensers, optical amplifiers, andswitches. At the end of 2002, CESNET leased more than 1,000 km of fibre pairsand it has other leasing plans prepared for 2003.Also in 2003, an important obstacle in the development of optical networks inthe world will be represented by the last mile – from a user to the nearest networkaccess point. CESNET managed to enter into collaboration with a supplierthat is able to construct the optical access lines within an order and receivedan offer for constructing optical lines from another partner at the end of 2002.There are probably only two reasons preventing the creation of optical accesspoints that remain: lack of financial resources or the requirement of mobility.The demand for mobility will obviously be permanent, which is why CESNETis examining possibilities of utilization of a wireless connection according to the802.11a standard.CEF construction brings changes to the view of designing large computer networks,the consequences of which are now gradually analysed. For example,the interconnection of four biggest supercomputing centres in USA is driven bythe effort to create a single supercomputer. Another characteristic phenomenonis that, besides the conversion of the Abeline network to 10 Gbps, the UCAID associationstarted to build the National LightRail, which should interconnect theeast and west coasts of USA with leased fibres. In Europe, the best ways for furtherdevelopment are examined by the SERENATE project. Within this project,we recommended a new way for selecting deliveries:1. Accept new principles for network topology and architecture, based onfiber leasing or owning. Work with preliminary knowledge of fiber mapsand types, and include alternative lines or network topologies.2. Procure fiber leasing or building only (not telecommunication services),including first mile on both sides. Evaluate bids for each line independ-High-speed National Research Network and its New Applications 2002217