Chris Tracy

Chris Tracy has worked in computing and networking since 1997. Prior to joining ESnet, he was a Co-PI on the GENI MANFRED proposal and was one of the systems/optical network engineers for the NSF DRAGON project, a $6.5M research program to deploy "experimental" optical networks utilizing novel technologies and services to provide real and measurable advantage to advanced e-science applications. The program was a collaborative project between the Mid-Atlantic Crossroads, the USC Information Sciences Institute East, George Mason University, and the University of Maryland College Park. Tracy has also directly contributed to Internet2's HOPI/DCN project since April 2004.

He was also responsible for the deployment and operational management of the DRAGON network. This lambda-switched network includes over 100 miles of fiber in the Washington DC/Baltimore metro area connecting 7+ POPs with ROADMs, OADMs, L2 switches, routers, etc. Tracy has helped with strategic planning and providing engineering support for the DRAGON, HOPI, and DCN networks. Prior to MAX, Tracy was a Senior Network Engineer for seven years at a regional ISP in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. He has presented at LISA 2002, and was also involved with the Pittsburgh SAGE organization. Tracy has been actively involved with the SCinet planning committee between 2002-2006, primarily working with the IT and WAN groups.

Tracy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 2001 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in telecommunications management at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC).