Research Initiatives
TreeDN
Tree Distribution Neworking (TreeDN) is an efficient mechanism to distribute content on IP networks. Growth in video over IP networks continues to explode, and even though much of this is on-demand (requiring unicast streaming), live, linear content is growing as well. Scaling backbones to support this is an expensive endeavor. TreeDN, built on existing and emerging standards, represents cost-effective solution.
Multicast is generally deployed in closed, private networks, with very little inter-provider capability. Automatic Multicast Tunneling (AMT) is a technology that allows users to bridge these island networks and access multicast content from unicast-only networks. AMT introduces two constructs: gateways and relays. The gateway receives requests to join multicast streams and can be bundled directly with an application, or run on a networking element. The relay is the function that joins the multicast stream, encapsulates it, and forwards it in a unicast tunnel to the gateway.
CAAREN is partnering with Juniper Networks for this effort. We are running an AMT relay. We are also sourcing several open-source videos. Give it a try at the Multicast Menu.
DC-Net
DC-Net has partnered with CAAREN since 2013, enabling access to advanced research programming that is key for science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) and other school initiatives.
Our first major partnership is with DC-Net, the District of Columbia’s city-wide communications provider. This partnership has two major components:
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First, we are working to connect DC Public Schools (DCPS) and DC Public Libraries (DCPL) to Internet2 under the United States Unified Community Anchor Network (U.S. UCAN).
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The second facet of the partnership with DC-Net is the deep fiber footprint that DC-Net offers.