Russian Backbone Network (RBNet) plays integrating role in maintenance of uniform infomedia of research and education of the Russian Federation. RBNet has been basically constructed in the framework of the Interagency program "Creation of national computer network for science and higher school" (1996-2002). At present the development and operation of RBNet are provided at the expense of state budget and economic activities of RIPN.
RBNet has been constructed as a backbone providing connectivity for multiple network segments which serves various user groups of research and education (R&E) community. From the technological point of view RBNet represents high-speed IP network with Points-of-Presence (POPs) in all federal districts. Along with connected regional networks RBNet infrastructure covers over 50 regions of the Russian Federation. The basic access points are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-na-Donu, Samara, Nizhniy Novgorod, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Obninsk. As a rule, RBNet equipment is installed at regional communication enterprises where reliable 24/7 service is guaranteed. Channel infrastructure of RBNet is provided by two major Russian communication companies - Trastelecom and Rostelecom.
One of the main tasks of RIPN is to provide regional and specialized networks with resources for creation of information infrastructure for R&E. For this purpose RBNet enables a number of network protocols: TCP/IP, ATM, Frame Relay, IP MPLS. Special attention was focused on such network technologies as Virtual Private Networks (VPN) intensively used by all-Russian R&E operators such as RUNnet, RASnet, FREEnet, Radio-MSU. RBNet provides possibility to hold interregional videoconferences using IP Multicast technology. Over recent years IPv6 segment has been subject to development. Experimental IPv6 traffic exchange facility has been built in Moscow in collaboration with Institute of Organic Chemistry and State Research Institute "Informika". By gathering and processing of network statistics RIPN analyzes operation of regional and specialized R&E networks connected to RBNet. Monthly reports are provided on a regular basis.
To optimize interregional data exchange RIPN coordinates development of regional systems of IP-traffic exchange (IX - internet exchange) such as MSK-IX (Moscow), SPB-IX (St. Petersburg), Samara-IX (Samara), NSK-IX (Novosibirsk). To build distributed systems of high-speed access RIPN develops its own fiber-optic segments in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Samara. ATM and Gigabit Ethernet networks are created on the basis of these segments.
Irrespective of the fact that domestic Russian R&E traffic exchange prevails, the international network segment still proves to be of great importance. RBNet provides connectivity to pan-European network GEANT (project coordinator - Moscow Joint Supercomputer Center) and to international systems of R&E traffic exchange StarLight and NetherLight (project coordinator - Russian Research Center Kurchatov Institute). General access capacity for this connectivity is 622 Mbps. For these purposes the equipment administrated by RIPN is installed in Amsterdam, Stockholm and Chicago. These POPs are connected by means of integrated trunk (backbone RUNNet/RBNet) on the route Moscow - St. Petersburg - Stockholm (2.5 Gbps) - Amsterdam (622 Mbps).
