CAPE: Summary of the Project Proposal

This project will analyse the requirements for direct research network connectivity between Europe and Asia Pacific to support co-operative research between the two regions. Developments in research networking in Asia Pacific mean that a regional pan-Asia Pacific network is currently being implemented. In Europe, TEN-34 is providing an enhanced pan-European facility. TEN-34 offers access at speeds up to 45 Mbps and uses a mixture of ATM and native IP technology to connect all the Western European National Research networks. DANTE is the co-ordinating partner of this project.

There are a number of collaborations between European and Asian research networkers and the connectivity that is provided to facilitate this is generally organised on an ad-hoc basis. The project will:

  1. analyse the demand for Europe/Asia Pacific connectivity;

  2. look at the implications from an implementation point of view, considering technical and cost options;

  3. provide a cost/benefit analysis of options for interconnection;

  4. propose a business plan for the establishment of such a connection together with a view of its feasibility.

In addition an important goal is to understand the funding and decision making processes in the new Asia Pacific group and its relationship to the individual countries involved. Part of the project will consist of face to face discussions with the Asia Pacific network organisation managers to explore demand, funding and operational implications.

August 1997