Editor: Cathrin.Stover@dante.org.uk
Although much of the capacity of the TEN-155 network will be dedicated to a 'best efforts' IP service, the network will also offer guaranteed Quality of Service using a combination of ATM and IP technology. Specific user groups at universities and research institution can make use of this "Managed Bandwidth" Service which allows for the technical setup of pan-European connections with committed bandwidth. The TEN-155 Managed Bandwidth Service will be introduced in three phases. The alpha phase has started in December 1998 with ERCIM (European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics) as the alpha tester. It is anticipated that the alpha phase will last for two to three months. This will be followed by a beta test phase with approximately four to five different user groups and a broadened geographical scope. The full Managed Bandwidth Service should become operational by mid-1999.
The TEN-155 network will be enhanced by a 155 Mbps link to the United States. The national research networks of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal and Slovenia have subscribed to this DANTE service with the Spanish research network, RedIRIS, also expressing an interest to sign up to the DANTE US connectivity. CERN and the German research network, DFN, are planning to co-locate with DANTE in Telehouse, New York. Peering has so far been arranged with ESnet and DANTE is currently investigating a connection to STARTAP as well as looking into possible peering arrangements with the American academic and research networks vBNS and Abilene.
More information on the TEN-155 network, including a topology map, frequently asked Questions and Answers as well as web order forms for the TEN-155 brochure and poster can be found on the TEN-155 page.
All TEN-155 routers now distribute information on their geographical location via DNS LOC records; for more information see http://www.ckdhr.com/dns-loc/
TF-TANT will experiment on new IP and ATM technologies such as RSVP, multicasting, differentiated services, IP version 6 and ATM signalling. The participation in the Quantum Test Programme and TF-TANT is open to any individual or organisation able to make a contribution in the form of manpower, equipment or services.
You can find more information on the QTP and TF-TANT here
DANTE is the coordinating partner in the Q-MED project with GRNET (Greece) and INFN/GARR (Italy) as additional partners to MACHBA/ILAN and the University of Cyprus/CYNET.
![[TEN-34 logo]](/ten-34/ten-34-small.GIF)
The lifetime statistics for the TEN-34 network show that the monthly access port availability between August 1997 and November 1998 averaged at 99.587%. During this period the increase of Gbytes/month shipped over the network amounted to 7.5% per month from app. 13500 Gbyte in August 1997 to app. 40000 Gbyte in November 1998.
Fig.1
Figure 1 shows the increase in traffic flows in Mbps in the TEN-34 network between October 1997 and December 1998. During this period traffic in the backbone doubled from 75 Mbps to 150 Mbps. Christmas, Easter and Summer breaks can easily be picked up as well as the fluctuations from weekdays to weekends. The decrease in traffic at the beginning of December 1998 is obviously a consequence of the migration of the first national research networks to TEN-155.
Fig.2
Figure 2 gives an overview of the TEN-34 backbone utilisation in November 1998.
We currently have a vacancy at DANTE for the position of Systems Administrator / User Support. More information on this job opportunity can be found on our jobs' page. Deadline for applications is 14 January 1999.