Celebrating over 50 years
A History of Excellence and Innovation
Created in 1966, Merit Network has been a leader in networking and internet technologies for over 55 years. Founded by Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and the University of Michigan, Merit established networking in Michigan long before the term “Internet” was invented.
Merit pioneered many of the practices and protocols used in today’s Internet. Since Merit’s inception, our researchers and engineers have been instrumental in the successful deployment of many advanced networking projects, including:
- RADb: The Routing Assets Database
- BGP Tables
- Routing Arbiter Project
- Route Server Next Generation
- GateD & Authentication, Authorization, Accounting Software
- Internet Performance Measurement and Analytics
- Splitting Wavelengths
A Chronicle of Merit's Early History
Timeline
Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University form the Michigan Educational Research Information Triad Inc. (MERIT)
The National Science Foundation (NSF) awards funds, matched by the Michigan State Legislature, to initiate the MERIT project.
Merit successfully networks mainframe computers at MSU, U-M, WSU.
Western Michigan University becomes the fourth Member of Merit, expanding the network beyond the triad.
MERIT, along with IBM, MCI & Michigan Strategic Fund, wins $39 million award to manage the NSFNet, the catalyst for the commercial Internet.
U.S. higher education institutions create Internet2, Merit becomes an affiliate member of Internet2.
Merit & ORION (Ontario Research Innovation Optical Network) sign historic agreement to connect the USA and Canada borders.
Merit receives two federal grants to construct 2,287 miles of fiber infrastructure as part of the REACH-3MC project.
Merit completes REACH-3MC, expanding fiber backbone by 59% and connecting 143 new community anchor institutions.
NTIA awards MSU/Merit $10.5 million for MOON Light Grant Project Proposal.
Merit awarded a $2.99 million Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant to support construction of 70 miles of middle-mile fiber optic infrastructure in the Upper Peninsula