2002 - cesnet

1 IntroductionThe report presented herein describes the process of a solution for the researchplan titled High-speed National Research Network and Its New Applications andthe results achieved in 2002. This year was the fourth year of the research plan,which is expected to be terminated towards the end of 2003.In February 2002, we celebrated the 10 th anniversary of the official launch ofthe Internet in Czechoslovakia. In commemoration, we held a seminar with internationalparticipation at Charles University, Prague. The event was met withvast publicity, emphasising the significant role of universities and the Academyof Science in the development of the Internet in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.During the previous year, the key activity was the continuing development ofthe CESNET2 network, associated with the services offered by the pan-EuropeanGÉANT network in the Czech Republic. Thanks to the deregulated telecommunicationsmarket in the Czech Republic, we were able to make use of bidspresented by several potential contractors for the lease of optical fibres andcomplete the network using the method known as Customer Empowered Fibernetworks. During the implementation of this new principle of network construction,we checked and launched several long distance data circuits without anyactive elements in the line.We decided to plan further development of the CESNET2 network topology, inthe form of three rings with a preset maximum number of hops in each ring.Immediately after this decision, we entered into negotiations with potential suppliersof optical fibres, particularly the supply of the “first mile” (or last), whichin most cases turns out to be the most problematic. In July, we announced aninvitation for bids concerning the delivery of routers for the following stage ofnetwork construction. The deadline for the tender bids was in September, andin October, we selected the routers of Cisco Systems (a US-based company),supplied by Intercom Systems a. s.Throughout the year, we focused on the arrangement of projects forming partof the research plan. In addition to in-house projects, the researchers becamesuccessfully involved in the arrangement of research activities of the GÉANTproject, presented under the title of TF-NGN (Task Force – Next GenerationNetworking). In addition to the GÉANT project, researchers joined three otherprojects supported by the EU – DataGrid, SCAMPI and 6NET.Among all projects, IPv6 proved to be the most dynamic, reporting a significantincrease in capacities throughout the year, particularly among students. Thiswas possible thanks to the understanding and support of some members of theHigh-speed National Research Network and its New Applications 20029