Last November the Research Channel used Internet2 to transmit five simultaneous HDTV streams that totaled 1 Gbps, says the group's Amy Philipson. Today's congested and outdated Internet also gives Sparrow trouble bringing in teaching tools developed by his peers at other campuses. So like other researchers eager to find better ways to share their knowledge, he looks forward to Internet 2, a faster computer network that 112 universities are working on. Internet 2's enhanced voice, video and data capabilities are being unveiled at a demonstration this week in Washington. The problems stem largely from the very nature of the Internet and its growing commercial popularity.
Computer files travel across the Internet as equals.
A video clip needed in a classroom right now commands the same attention as an electronic message likely to languish in the recipient's mailbox for hours or days. Back when Internet use was limited primarily to government and academia, the network had plenty of capacity to go around. Handling information that way was fine. These days, with more business and residential users connected, researchers face delays that affect their work. The Internet restricts Sparrow's demonstrations of wave properties to simple computer drawings akin to stick figures.