Nasa tests network tech

Nasa is testing a network layer technology that can withstand the rigorous demands of space communication better than the standard TCP/IP protocol, which dominates terrestrial networking technologies, states DevX News.

Officially called Disruption Tolerant Networking (DTN), the technology went through testing earlier this month with a space probe that is currently more than 20 million miles from Earth.

DTN uses a different kind of approach than TCP/IP for packet delivery that is less cumbersome and more resilient to disruption than TCP/IP.

Although Ethernet is now present in most UK homes, it will not dominate multi-gigabit networking equipment to the same extent, according to a report, states Comms-Express.

Produced by Freesky, the research: “40 and 100 Gigabit Networks: Technologies, Markets, Applications”, stated that as LAN, SAN and MAN speeds have surpassed a gigabit, the most efficient network kits are those which embrace multiple data link protocols.

It also suggests that theoretical concerns about multi-protocol complexity are being overridden by practical considerations about capital budget simplicity.

3Com, a provider of converged network infrastructure solutions and a contributing member of the Green Grid, has outlined several ways to improve an organisation's sustainability through its networking infrastructure, to address the growing need for CIOs to generate more value from their IT and networking investments, reports Zawya.

According to a new white paper from industry research firm IDC, the pervasiveness of networking across the entire enterprise makes it a key enabler of sustainable IT, from the supply chain to improved communications and personal productivity.

It also provides numerous opportunities to slash the $6 billion that was spent powering data centres throughout Europe in 2007.