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AVCC-AARNet
The Research Data Network CRC has supported the upgrade of the Australian
Academic and Research Network (AARNet) as described in the Commonwealth
agreement. The project has been managed by the Australian Vice
Chancellors Committee (AVCC), and it achieved the objectives and
milestones of the project in 1997/97. Mr John Burke from the Centre for
International Research on Communication and Information Technology
(CIRCIT) reviewed the outcomes of the project as part of the third year
review in 1997. Mr Burke reported that "The intended outcomes from this
upgrade appear to have been significantly exceeded", and "As well as
achieving its own objectives, the AARNet activity has been a major
stepping stone in the development of Internet capability for the broader
Australian community."
During the later part of 1997, a framework for a number of pilot projects
was put in place to demonstrate how the new network can be exploited.
This involved the connection of Regional Network ATM switches to the
Optus Newbridge switches to permit native ATM applications to run between
different universities in different States and Territories (now complete
for Queensland, ACT, South Australia and NSW).
A comprehensive testbed between Canberra and Brisbane together with an
associated project plan was put in place to test the viability of
connecting university PABXs to carry STD voice traffic across AARNet.
Evaluation of both ATM and IP options are underway. Results so far are
available at:
http://www.avcc.edu.au/avcc/aarnet/aarnet2/voice/
An extensive survey of telephone traffic and equipment used within
universities has been undertaken and the data collected will be used in
the business case to determine the viability of carrying telephone
traffic over AARNet2.
Pilot projects involving video-on demand (including MCIVER) and
videoconferencing over ATM and over IP are also underway.
In April 1998, together with the University of Queensland and DSTC Pty
Ltd, a large object mirror site was established on AARNet2. By September
1998, 2 Terabytes of data had been served from the mirror compared with
150 GBytes of data imported. The current "hit-rate" is in excess of 20:1
resulting in significant savings to AARNet members.
Stengthened contacts have been made with the operators of overseas
academic and research networks. The Manager, AARNet was invited to
participate in the UKERNA/JISC Network Strategy Workshop and to give a
presentation on charging for network use. Charging for network use in
the UK commenced in September 1998.
Professor Paul Love, Chair of the Internet2 Topology Working Group,
visited in June 1998 to discuss developments in the Internet2 and Abilene
projects, and to initiate stronger links with AARNet. Reciprocal visits
have now commenced.
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