Connective Middleware for Voice and Integrated Communications

To engage Internet2 users in an exploration of peer-to-peer, real-time communications, these users require connectivity. Superior networking connectivity alone is not sufficient. Directory-enabled call and presence routing middleware must be deployed to connect applications with appli-cations and ultimately users with users. Internet2 is working to grow this connectivity and to encourage large-scale experimentation at the edge. The best new communications applications will combine peer-to-peer de-sign principles with new, centrally-managed enterprise services. Identity management, authentication, location services, and rich presence are all best implemented by the enterprise. Several new Internet2 initiatives are surveyed, along with some of the challenges ahead. 1