To my knowledge no particular project makes use of WCU's Internet bandwidth.
As I understand it, ANY data traffic that leaves our campus destined for another I2 (Internet2) site makes use of the Abilene connection in Raleigh. Think of the network at Raleigh as a big intersection. Our traffic takes one of three paths once it gets there.
Path-1 [Local traffic] Your packet (of computer data) is bound for another NCREN school and never leaves the state network.
Path-2 [Commercial Internet] Your packet is bound for a commercial, international, or non-I2 site. Your packet is placed on one of three pipes tying NCREN to the Commercial Internet This path is also the default path. These 3 pipes to the commercial Internet currently total over 600Mb/s in bandwidth.
Path-3 [Internet2 aka "Abilene Network"] Newly added route for our traffic
to take. Your packet goes down this very high bandwidth pipe (622Mb/s
I believe) if it's destined for another Internet2 site.
If you are interested you can see what path your traffic takes by using a utility built into the Windows OS called TRACERT. From example - tracert www.gatech.edu will show the step by step route your traffic takes to get to Georgia Tech's website. By reading the names that have been assigned to the routers along the way you can get a very good picture of where your traffic is going.
Using such an example you'll see that your 'tracert' takes you across
the Abilene network. A 'tracert' to www.gasou.edu (my alma mater
in Georgia) who is not on I2 takes a much longer path across the Commercial
Internet.
Scott Swartzentruber, Network Services Manager, Computer Center, WCU.