TEN-34CZ project: high-speed academic network and applications
Jan Gruntorád, P. Vachek · 2002
In 1994, the report "Europe and the Global Information Society" called for creating an advanced telecommunications network to interconnect the national research networks (NRN) across Europe. The resulting pan-European TEN-34 (Trans-European Network Interconnect at 34 Mbps) started operating in May 1997. It is co-funded by the EU and consists of some 18 NRNs. One of these NRNs is our TEN-34CZ network, which was opened in June 1997. The TEN-34 network was implemented by a Consortium of European NRNs. DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network To Europe), a non-profit organisation formed by European NRNs, became the co-ordinator of the resulting TEN-34 project. The progress of TEN-34 project has been rather slow and subject to some delays. The main problems were: deciding about the protocol used (pure IP, IP/ATM or ATM), and procuring 34 Mbps lines at a reasonable price (4-5 times the price of 2 Mbps circuits) from telecom operators who were afraid of competition of their own customers. Finally, some compromises were reached. The TEN-34 network consists of two separate parts, each using a separate technology: an IP network plus an IP/ATM network. Both parts are interconnected in three points (Frankfurt, Geneva and London). Most telecom operators decided to cooperate with their customers and agreed on a reasonable price after the NRNs had pledged not to use the high-speed circuits for commercial purposes.