Researchers mark Internet2 advance

Nearly 200 faculty and Internet researchers from the University and other institutions convened at the Sheraton University City Hotel Monday to celebrate Internet2 Awareness Day, hosted by the University and sponsored by two computer networking companies. Internet2 is a distinct, high-speed fiber-optic network similar to the original Internet but capable of transferring information between 10 and 100 times faster and with increased reliability. The day's lecturers -- including Penn Physics Professor Robert Hollebeek, Computer and Information Science Professor David Farber and Manager of Network Engineering Deke Kassabian -- discussed the development of Internet2, the future of high-performance computer networking and the relevance of Internet2 to industry and government. The University is one of 34 institutions that co-founded the Internet2 project in 1996. According to Michael Palladino, executive director of Information Systems and Computing networking at the University, the purpose of the event was to "share some of the ideas of future technology" and to promote awareness of Internet2 -- a collaborative effort of more than 140 universities in the country to accelerate and expand the use of Internet applications vital to the academic and research goals of higher education. According to Palladino, this technological advancement is particularly important in medical research, since it can decrease the duration of magnetic resonance imaging from one hour to one or two minutes. "The really inspiring things about hosting this event? is the enthusiasm that the Internet2 project has really served us throughout the country and around the world," University President Judith Rodin said at the event. Provost Robert Barchi agreed, adding that "Internet2 makes a transitional leap. It should allow us to interact in a virtual chat room? in a way that's just as intimate as if you were interacting across a cup of coffee in a college dining facility." Internet2 can also provide for a tele-immersion system, which allows individuals at different locations to share a virtual environment where they can jointly participate in a project, whether it be the construction of a bridge or the design of a robot. "[Internet2] would allow us to teach a course that involves students not just here at Penn? but from different universities across the nation? it really does result in a globalization of the academic enterprise," Barchi said. Palladino said he expects Internet2 to expand into the next generation in the same manner as the original Internet. "It might take five years? but Internet2 will gradually grow to be more commercial."