GEANT - Definition

GÉANT is the main European multi-gigabit computer network for research and education purposes. GÉANT link speeds range from 155 Mbits/s on the slowest spur links to 10 Gbits/s in the core network.

The GÉANT project began in November 2000, entered full production operation in December, 2001 (fully replacing TEN-155). Originally due to finish in October 2004, it was subsequently extended until April 2005. The project to plan, procure, build and operate the next generation of the network will begin in September 2004.

It is intended that GÉANT interconnect with other regional research networks (such as Abilene Network, CANARIE, ESnet, SINET) to create a single global research network. It currently has gigabit links to North America and Japan.

The GÉANT network is managed by DANTE (Delivery of Advanced Network Technology to Europe).

National research and education networks connected to GÉANT are:

• Austria's ACOnet
• Belgium's BELNET
• Bulgaria's ISTF
• Croatia's CARNet
• Cyprus's CYNET
• Czech Republic's CESNET
• Denmark's Forskningsnettet (connected via NORDUnet)
• Estonia's EENet
• Finland's FUNET (connected via NORDUnet)
• France's RENATER
• Germany's DFN
• Greece's GRNET
• Hungary's HUNGARNET
• Iceland's RHnet (connected via NORDUnet)
• Ireland's HEAnet
• Israel's IUCC
• Italy's GARR
• Latvia's LATNET
• Lithuania's LITNET
• Luxembourg's RESTENA
• Netherlands' SURFnet
• Norway's UNINETT (connected via NORDUnet)
• Poland's POL-34
• Portugal's FCCN
• Romania's RoEduNet
• Slovakia's SANET
• Slovenia's ARNES
• Spain's RedIRIS
• Sweden's SUNET (connected via NORDUnet)
• Switzerland's SWITCH
• Turkey's ULAKNET
• United Kingdom's JANET

External link

• The GÉANT website (http://www.geant.net/)
• The DANTE website (http://www.dante.net/)