Current status and future direction of NTT's global networks for experiments, GEMnet

NTT has been operating its network for experiments of called GEMnet (Global Enhanced Multifunctional Network) for the research and development of global information-sharing services and to verify them on a real network. This paper describes the current network configuration of GEMnet, experiments using it, and its future direction as a review paper for this issue's feature topic, "Experiments using GEMnet." In Japan, GEMnet connects three of NTT's research and development centers. Globally, it connects NTT Musashino research and development center to NTT America's San Jose facilities with a 33-Mbit/s ATM link and to NTT MSC's research and development center in Malaysia with a 1.5-Mbit/s ATM link. In June 2001, GEMnet was connected to Abilene, which is the backbone network of Internet2. This has enabled joint experiments using Abilene. Use of GEMnet in global service creation will be promoted while strengthening ties with other research and education networks and examining the experiment topics.