This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(July 2014) |
SURAnetwas a pioneer in scientific computer networks and one of the regional backbone computer networks that made up theNational Science Foundation Network(NSFNET). Many later Internet communications standards and protocols were developed by SURAnet.
How SURAnet started
editTheSoutheastern Universities Research Associationwas created in December 1980 by scientists and university administrators throughout the southeastern United States, primarily led by theUniversity of Virginia,theCollege of William & Mary,and theUniversity of Maryland, College Park.The chief goal of SURA was the development of aparticle acceleratorfor research innuclear physics;this facility is now known as theThomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.[1]By the mid-1980s it was clear that access to high-capacity computer resources would be needed to facilitate collaboration among the SURA member institutions. A high-performance network to provide this access was essential, but no single institution could afford to develop such a system.SURAitself stepped up to the challenge and, with support from the U.S.National Science Foundation(NSF) andSURAuniversities, SURAnet was up and running in 1987, and was part of the first phase ofNational Science Foundation Network(NSFNET) funding as the agency built a network to facilitate scientific collaboration.[2]SURAnet was one of the first and one of the largest Internet providers in the United States. SURA sites first used a 56 kbit/s backbone in 1987 which was upgraded to 1.5M bit/s (DS1) in 1989, and to a 45 Mbit/s (DS3) backbone in 1991.FIX EastandMAE-East,both major peering points, were located at the main SURA facilities.[2]Large-scale collaboration among SURA-affiliated scientists became an everyday reality.
Role of SURAnet in the development of the Internet
editSURAnet participated in the development of Internet communications standards and telecommunications protocols that enabled researchers and federal agencies to communicate and work in this early Internet environment. SURAnet was one of the first NSFNET regional networks to become operational.[2]SURAnet provided networking services for universities and industry, and was one of the firstTCP/IPnetworks to sell commercial connections, when IBM Research inRaleigh-Durham, North Carolinawas connected in 1987–1988. It was also the first network to attempt to convert toOSPFin 1990.[3]
Beyond SURAnet
editSURAnet was so successful that it outgrewSURA'sprimary mission, and theSURABoard approved its sale toBolt, Beranek and Newmanin 1995.[4] Many of the protocols and procedures created under SURAnet are still in use in the commercial Internet today.SURAcontinues to be a force in the information technology community, participating in projects such as theExtreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment(XSEDE),[5]Earthcube,[6]and AtlanticWave.[7]
References
edit- ^Westfall, Catherine(September 1994)."The Founding of CEBAF, 1979 to 1987"(PDF).pp. 5–6.Retrieved30 October2014.
- ^abcNSFNET: The Community,slide presentation from a panel discussion,Doug Galemoderator, NSFNET: The Partnership That Changed The World - the NSFNET 20th anniversary celebration, Arlington, VA, 29 November 2007.
- ^Moy, John (February 1998).OSPF: Anatomy of an Internet Routing Protocol(PDF)(1st ed.). Addison-Wesley Professional. p. 339.ISBN0-201-63472-4.
- ^"BBN FINALIZES AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE SURAnet PENDING GOVERNMENT APPROVAL",BBN press release, Business Wire,The Free Library,13 March 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^"Overview",XSEDE: Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^"About",EarthCube. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
- ^"About",AtlanticWave. Retrieved 25 July 2014.