SUNNYVALE, Calif., Nov. 15, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Infinera (Nasdaq:INFN) Chief Technology Officer Drew Perkins has been elected to the Internet2 Research Advisory Council. As a member of the Council, Mr. Perkins will play a key role in helping the Internet2 community plan its strategic direction to meet the needs of the research and academic community.
Internet2 is a nonprofit consortium dedicated to exploring advanced networking and Internet technologies, with a membership including more than 200 universities, federal and state government agencies and other research institutions. Last year, Internet2 rolled out its new advanced nationwide network over the Level 3 Communications backbone network, based on Infinera optical systems. Internet2 has also deployed Infinera metro networks in several large cities.
The Research Advisory Council has 15 members drawn from industry and the academic world. Its role is to advise the Internet2 community, trustees and management on future directions for research into networking technologies, as well as the needs of disciplinary research, which includes specific disciplines such as particle physics, which make intensive use of high-speed networks.
"Drew will be a great asset to the R.A.C.," said Internet2 Chief Technology Officer Rick Summerhill. "He has been a technical leader in the networking realm for years, and his vision will help us understand the challenges and future directions for technology and our network."
"Internet2 is a highly-respected pioneer in networking technologies and applications and I am thrilled to be involved in the Research Advisory Council," commented Drew Perkins. "It will enable me to support Internet2's activities, while gaining valuable insights into the technology needs of the academic community, which typically end up as important technology trends for the business and consumer worlds too."
Drew Perkins' involvement with the Internet goes back to 1989, when he led the team that developed the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), which was used by Internet service providers like America Online to enable analog telephone lines to connect to the Internet. After senior roles at several networking companies, Mr. Perkins co-founded Infinera with Jagdeep Singh and Dave Welch in December 2000.
About Infinera
Infinera provides Digital Optical Networking systems to telecommunications carriers worldwide. Infinera's systems are unique in their use of a breakthrough semiconductor technology: the Photonic Integrated Circuit (PIC). Infinera's systems and PIC technology are designed to provide optical networks with simpler engineering and operations, faster time-to-service, and more flexible networking. For more information, please visit www.infinera.com.
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