Internet2, a consortium being led by approximately 200 U.S. research universities working in partnership with industry and government, is creating a leading-edge network capability for the national research community; to enable revolutionary Internet applications; and to work with international partners to transfer new technologies into the broad network community.

As part of an ongoing plan to maintain its network on the leading edge, VCU has connected to the Internet2 national backbone network Abilene as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Crossroads initiative. VCU has also upgraded its current Net.Work.Virginia to an OC-3 (155Mbs) connection which will serve to carry meritorious project traffic to Abilene as well as serve as the link to the commercial Internet. Please see VCU Internet2 Grant page for a description of VCU's Internet2 grant.