September 30, 1991
nic.cerf.net


CERFnet History		


In June, 1988, a proposal was submitted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center
and General Atomics to the National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the
California Education and Research Federation Network (CERFnet). Thirty-four of
the leading research and education centers in California participated in the
proposal effort.  In March, 1989, $2.8 million was awarded by the NSF to
initiate CERFnet.  The institutions contributed additional funds in membership
fees, support personnel (such as training, consultation, and documentation),
and maintenance of equipment needed to connect and support their CERFnet link. 
	Today, CERFnet links over 100 research and education centers with data
transfer rates of up to 1.544 Megabits-per-second.  CERFnet provides enhanced
communication among researchers, educators and private industry, and high-speed
access to the resources available through the National Science Foundation
Network (NSFNET) and the Internet, such as supercomputer centers, online
library catalogs, and specialized databases. 
	
The Research Need

	Before CERFnet, some of the institutions had medium-speed access to the
NSFNET backbone but a substantial increase in bandwidth and connectivity was
needed to encourage usage by making access easier, faster, and cost-efficient. 
	The need for CERFnet was two-fold.  The availability of high-speed
networking and supercomputer power greatly expands computational possibilities.
This stimulates a wider range of scientific explorations and makes projects
more feasible.  Complex projects frequently involve the sharing of databases,
software, and results by researchers in different institutions and multiple
disciplines. Project feasibility is enhanced by the integrated communications
environment offered by the Internet by achieving better collaboration and
interaction with distant colleagues and resources. 
	Many of the institutions were already experienced in using NSF and
other supercomputer centers, such as the San Diego Supercomputer Center, the
National Center for Atmospheric Research, the Lawrence Livermore National
Laboratory, and the National Magnetic Fusion Energy Center. Today, CERFnet
allows convenient access to these state-of-the-art facilities.  CERFnet also
provides capabilities through the use of TCP/IP, which include remote logins,
file transfers, and telnet sessions. 

Building the Network
	
	CERFnet was built on existing data communication links--some have been
upgraded to higher bandwidths. New links were installed between March and
November 1989 to expand the network to all of the original research and
education centers. 
	CERFnet's high-speed backbone nodes were installed between May and June
1989 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of
California, Irvine (UCI), the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC), and the
California Institute of Technology (Caltech).  The backbone was expanded to the
University of California Office of the President in Oakland in November, 1989,
and to San Jose in December, 1990. 
	

CERFnet Phase II

	In March, 1990, CERFnet submitted a proposal to the NSF for Phase II. 
Phase II proposed to establish new Internet connections for three four-year
colleges and two community colleges.  CERFnet also proposed to establish
gateways to fifteen FrEdMail (Free Educational Mail) Network sites. 
	The FrEdMail Network is a grass-roots data- communications network that
allows teachers and students at K-12 institutions around the country to
exchange teaching materials, student assignments, and information on workshops,
job opportunities, and national legislation affecting education.  
	These institutions were be brought online between September, 1990, and
March, 1991, at a cost of $226,000 over two years. 

Further Expansion

	Since March, 1989, the network has grown to include over 100 research
and education centers. Several classes of memberships were introduced in 1989
and 1990. These are CERF 1544 (1.544 Megabits-per-second dedicated leased-line
service), CERF 56 (56 kilobits-per-second dedicated leased-line service),  CERF
9.6 (9.6 kilobits-per-second dedicated leased-line service) and DIAL n'
CERF (dialup SLIP access (up to 19.2 kilobits-per-second)).  These memberships
are supported by subscription fees. 
	In 1991, CERFnet also established the first Commercial Internet
Exchange (CIX) in cooperation with PSInet amd Alternet permitting the exchange
of commercial traffic between these three networks.