The Quantum Project

The Quantum project follows on from the successful TEN-34 project. Between February 1997 and December 1998, TEN-34 provided the European academic and research community with a stable IP based pan-European network service. The main objective of the Quantum project is the continuation of this stable IP network service but at access capacities up to 155 Mbps. In parallel with the IP service, the continuation service known as TEN-155, provides a managed bandwidth service to the participating national research networks and other specific groups of users.

More and more cooperative development activities in Europe are based on the use of multi-media services, which are only effective if they can rely on high Quality of Service levels which cannot be provided on a loaded 'best efforts' IP network. Protocol enhancements such as RSVP and IPv6, as well as the Quality of Service management inherent in the ATM technology are addressing these issues. It is apparent that for multi-media services to develop on a pan-European scale a new approach to Quality of Service is required. An important element of the Quantum project is to trial the new protocols and technology developments both in a test and a wide area network environment with view to deploying them in the operational TEN-155 service at a later stage.

A Consortium of 16 national research networks, one regional research network and DANTE as the Coordinating Partner are responsible for the organisation of the Quantum project. DANTE is a not-for-profit company which plans, builds and manages the provision of pan-European Internet connectivity for the European research community.

The Quantum Project is co-funded under the Telematics Applications, Esprit and ACTS Programmes of the European Commission.

Project Participants

The TEN-155 network

The Quantum Test Programme

Quantum developments as reported in The Works of DANTE

Quantum documents for participants

The Quantum Tech homepage

Disclaimer

QUANTUM is a Research & Development Project coordinated by DANTE and supported by the European Commission. The opinions contained in this server do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the Commission.

Contact: webmaster@dante.org.uk

DANTE
[December 1998]