global environment for network innovations (GENI)

Even though the Internet is referred to as the " network of networks" and is currently arguably the most universal of all networks, it is getting on in years and has some weak points in terms of security, mobility, cost-effectiveness and transport mechanisms. For this reason, there are initial approaches to more advanced future networks. Global Environment for Network Innovations (GENI) is one such project initiated by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

In the Geni project, more than 200 U.S. universities are being networked via a fiber optic backbone in preparation for the future Internet generation, with hardware and software designed to be flexible enough to test virtually any network concept. In terms of transport technology, other network components can be used in Geni than the routers and switches used up to now. Another aspect is the protocol diversity, which is not only based on TCP/ IP.

In Europe, there are also two technological approaches to this topic, Engine (Experimental Next Generation Internet in Europe) and Gèant2.