Re: Public Interest Networks (was: Re: Consortium sheds light on dark fiber's potential)

["Christopher L. Morrow" <christopher.morrow () mci com>]

On Wed, 24 Nov 2004, Steven M. Bellovin wrote:

> In message <41A4DF8F.9000701 () ai net>, Deepak Jain writes:
> > Vicky, I apologize if I am hijacking your thread.
> >
> > Is it just me or does all this talk of Research (and other Public
> > Interest) Networks and logical separation by layer 1/2 leave [everyone]
> > nonplussed?
> >
> > How is logical separation of a network [say via MPLS] much different
> > than using a lambda to do the same thing?
>
> Wearing my researcher hat, the answer depends on what sort of research
> you're trying to conduct.  There are more things to do with a fiber
> than just running IPv4 over it.

yes, ipv6! :) Actually, some of the research networks seem to be places to
test/eval new hardware, software, techniques and/or pass large datasets
from lab to lab in larger collaborative projects. Often the
faster/newer/sexier gear had been tested on these 'test' networks prior to
deployments in the field.

Steve is right though, it's not all ipv4 on the links...