Definition: Abilene

The first IP backbone for Internet2, which began in 1997. Peering with other research networks both in the U.S. and internationally, Abilene started out at 2.5 Gbps but was upgraded to 10 Gbps by 2004. In 2007, after additional infrastructure was deployed with speeds up to 100 Gbps, the network was renamed Internet2 Network.

Abilene was a partnership of Internet2, Qwest Communications, Cisco Systems, Nortel Networks, Juniper Networks and Indiana University. Regional nodes were called "GigaPOPs," which served as data entry and switching points to all members. The first GigaPOP was deployed in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina in late 1997. See Internet2.

The Abilene Network

Starting out much like the original Internet, Abilene was composed of high-speed trunks across the United States. (Image courtesy of Internet2.)