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Internet2 is a new high-speed network akin to the current Internet (Internet1). Internet2 is also the name of the non-profit consortium that oversees it's development, management and access. The consortium is led by over 200 US universities and partners from the networking and technology industries (such as AT&T, Intel, Sun Microsystems, and Cisco Systems). It develops and deploys advanced network applications and technologies (such as: IPv6, IP multicasting and quality of service).

Internet2, created by researchers in 1996, is a new Internet, using high-speed technology to transfer data. Data transferred via Internet2 can travel up to 100 times faster than on the exisiting Internet. But it uses experimental technology, making it more risky than the mature Internet1. More than 200 universities and 60 companies belong to Internet2, as do a handful of organizations and government agencies. To join, members must contribute research toward "developing a better Internet," says Douglas Van Houweling, CEO of the Internet2 consortium. Unlike Internet1, it is not open to the public. It is primarily used for research and to test network technologies.

Users must pay fees to the Internet2 consortium for access to Internet2. A university would typically pay USD$200,000 a year for access. The National Science Foundation also provides some funding.

Internet2 is a seperate network from Internet1. Users of Internet2 can only access other users of Internet2. It is not connected in any manner with the exisiting Internet. Some uinversities have created clients that make working on Internet2 transparent to users. Though Internet2 will probably never be open to public access, technologies discovered and refined with Internet2 will make their way to Internet1.

Internet2 members created the Abilene Network. Internet2 supports the National LambdaRail project.

Controversy

In April 2005, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) accused college students of "hijacking Internet2" and "turning it into an illegal file-swapping vehicle." The RIAA filed suit against 405 students for copyright infringement for apparently copying songs illegally over the network with students at other member universities, using i2hub, a peer-to-peer file sharing application especially created for Internet2. The MPAA filed a similar suit for illegally traded digital versions of movies. The MPAA's suit was against an undisclosed number of students.

External links

• Internet2's homepage
• internetnews.com: Scientists Set Internet2 Speed Record
• USA today Internet 2 FAQ
• "RIAA, MPAA Target File Swapping on Internet2" from PCWorld

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