NSFNET

Short for National Science Foundation Network, NSFNET is a network started by the National Science Foundation ( NSF ) that went online in 1986 and during the late 1980's and early 1990's was a crucial backbone to ARPANET and the Internet as we know it today. During 1990 and 1991 NSFNET was restructured and created a not-for-profit entity and a for-profit subsidiary to help with the commercial development of the network.