Topology

The GÉANT network is a pan-European backbone which connects Europe's national research and education networks. The GÉANT network topology is continually upgraded to provide the best possible service to the NRENs, and thereby ultimately to Europe's research and education community. 

The links at the bottom of this page include, as a comparison, GÉANT's backbone topology at several points over its lifespan since first entering production in December 2001, and the current network topology. Further links are provided to the network's logical layout topology.  This is a more technical document which provides further topological information.

The GÉANT network connects to each NREN via an access link. These access links are also being continually upgraded, helping to ensure that bottlenecks between NRENs and the European backbone do not reduce the benefit of the network.

GÉANT is just one link in a chain of networks which, together, provide end to end connectivity for researchers and academics.  More information about this "supply chain" is available via the link on the left.