Portrait of Luciano Lenzini

luciano.lenzini@dii.unipi.it

Department of Information Engineering · University of Pisa

Luciano Lenzini
From RPCNET to the Quantum Internet

A fifty-year journey through the evolution of networking.

Luciano Lenzini is Full Professor at the University of Pisa and one of the pioneers of computer networking. He directed major Italian and international networking projects, including RPCNET, STELLA, and OSIRIDE, and, in collaboration with Robert Kahn and Vint Cerf, led the project that activated the first Internet node in Italy, the fourth in Europe after Norway, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

Internet in Italy Publications Quantum Computing & Quantum Internet
A fifty-year journey through the origins of networking
RPCNET

was the story of building a pioneering scientific network in Italy.

STELLA

was the story of connecting Europe's scientific community.

OSIRIDE

was the story of backing the wrong contender in a standards war whose outcome was still far from certain.

Italy's first Internet connection

was the story of a vision that finally became reality.

My Quantum Internet research

is the story of a long-term vision of the Internet.

Together, these projects trace a unique journey through the formative years of computer networking — from Italy's first pioneering computer network to the emergence of the global Internet — helping transform networking from a research experiment into a technology that continues to reshape science, industry, and society.

Key research projects

Five chapters, one continuous line of research

From Italy's first national network to the Quantum Internet — the networking projects that trace Lenzini's career.

1970 – 1985

RPCNET

Italy's first national packet-switched network, connecting CNR and university computing centres from Palermo to Milan.

Discover RPCNET →
1978 – 1983

STELLA

Europe's first satellite-based packet network, connecting CERN with major European physics laboratories.

Discover STELLA →
1982 – 1992

OSIRIDE

One of the world's most significant OSI interoperability initiatives, exploring an alternative future for global networking.

Discover OSIRIDE →
1980 – 1986

Internet in Italy

The story of how Italy joined the Internet on 30 April 1986, through the gateway installed at CNUCE in Pisa.

Read the story →
2024 – ongoing

Quantum internet

The long-term vision is the creation of large-scale quantum networks interconnecting quantum processors, memories, and sensors through a new generation of communication infrastructures.

Quantum Computing and Quantum Internet

The natural evolution of a lifelong journey

Since 2024/2025, Lenzini has been teaching the first course entitled Quantum Computing and Quantum Internet ever offered at the School of Engineering of the University of Pisa — from packet switching and the Internet to quantum communications and networking.

Explore the course →
From RPCNET to the Quantum Internet

Fifty years, one continuous thread

1970

Building the first packet-switched network in Italy

Joins CNUCE and begins work on RPCNET.

1978

Connecting European science via satellite

STELLA links CERN with laboratories across Europe.

1982

The OSI challenge

OSIRIDE tests interoperability leadership on the world stage.

1986

Italy joins the Internet

30 April 1986 — Italy is connected, the fourth nation in Europe.

2024

Quantum Computing and Quantum Internet

The first course of its kind at the University of Pisa.

Future

The next frontier of networking

A story that is still being written.