INDUSTRY

WASHINGTON, DC -- Internet2 today announced that it will deploy Juniper Networks' most advanced core routing product for the next generation of the Abilene backbone network. The nationwide upgrade will quadruple Abilene's capacity to 10 gigabits per second and natively deploy the next generation Internet protocol, IPv6, using Qwest Communications' nationwide network infrastructure. The upgrade will maintain Abilene's position as one of the most advanced and far-reaching education and research networks in the world. Scientists, teachers and students at more than 200 Internet2 member universities and research centers currently use Abilene to create and test advanced network applications that do not work well or at all using the commercial Internet. Abilene enables applications such as uncompressed high-definition television quality video; remote control of scientific instruments such as mountaintop telescopes and electron microscopes; collaboration using immersive virtual reality; and grid computing. "Juniper Networks' technology and commitment to Internet2 will ensure thatAbilene continues to provide leading edge networking for the academic and research community," said Douglas Van Houweling, president and CEO of Internet2. "Juniper's participation in Abilene exemplifies the close collaboration between industry and academia that is at the heart of Internet2." "Juniper Networks is pleased to continue its close collaboration with Internet2. The continuous usage of Internet Protocol throughout the core and edge of the Internet requires the unique attributes of our new T640 Internet Routing Node's speed, security and overall availability. We look forward to helping Internet2 expand the possibilities of a broader Internet," commented Pradeep Sindhu, founder and chief technology officer at Juniper Networks. Abilene will deploy eleven T640 Internet Routing Nodes, the first product from Juniper Networks T-series Internet routing family. The T640 Internet Routing Node brings leading edge routing technology to Abilene, offering seamless multi-terabit scaling as well as IPv6 hardware forwarding. The routing platform upgrade to Abilene is scheduled to be complete by late fall 2002. For more information visit www.internet2.edu/ or www.internet2.edu/abilene.