In today’s digital age, having fast & trusty internet is very important. It is paramount especially for scientists, researchers & universities working on big projects. That’s where National LambdaRail (NLR) came in. NLR was a big-performance & nationwide computer network designed peculiarly for research & education in the United States.
Let’s take a closer look at what NLR was, why it mattered & all the changes that took place in its leadership in 2010.
What is National LambdaRail (NLR)?
- NLR was a super-fast 1200 fiber-optic network built to support scientific & educational research.
- It connected over 280 universities as well as government labs across the country.
- The network ran over 12,000 miles of fiber-optic cable. This made it one of the largest & fastest research networks in the U.S.
- NLR could handle speeds up to 100 Gigabits per second (Gbps). This speed is many times faster than regular internet.
Why Was NLR Important?
- Speed & Power: NLR made it possible to send as well as receive humongous amounts of data very quickly. This was very paramount for big research projects like climate studies, space research & medical science.
- Unconditional Use: Unlike normal commercialised networks, NLR didn’t condition how much data users could send. This allowed scientists focus on research without worrying about network caps & limits.
- Aid for Tech: NLR allowed new innovations & experiments to be tested over its network. It also supported amalgamations between universities, tech companies & government organizations.
- Custom Networking: Users could design their own virtual networks for special projects. This is something which was not possible with regular internet service providers.
Leadership Change in 2010
In September 2010, NLR’s President as well as CEO, Dr. Glenn Ricart, stepped down from his position. The reason given was a difference in strategy between him & the NLR Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors thanked Dr. Ricart for his service & all his contributions to NLR’s growth. They noted his efforts in helping the institution achieve many of its targets during his time as President.
After his resignation, Wendy Huntoon, who was the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at the time. Later she was appointed as Acting President & CEO. She continued serving as CTO while taking on her new leadership role. Wendy had already played a major role in building & running the network. She was seen as the right person to guide NLR forward.
Looking Ahead
Even though the announcement was about a leadership change, it advertised NLR’s continued dedication to supporting research & innovation. The organization remained focused on helping universities, scientists as well as tech developers. It helped them to push the boundaries of knowledge using the power of high-speed networking.
Summary
- NLR was a unique & high-speed network for research plus education.
- It offered unmatched speed, flexibility along with performance.
- In 2010, there was a leadership change as Glenn Ricart stepped down. After him Wendy Huntoon stepped in.
- NLR continued to play a pivotal role in advancing science & innovation.
Note: NLR has since closed operations, but it was a major stepping stone in the evolution of research networks in the U.S.
