metanet

Metanet is a term used in several distinct contexts, often as a blend of “meta” and “internet.” In technical and scholarly writing, metanet can denote a higher-layer concept of interconnecting multiple networks or a network of networks. It refers to ideas about overlay or layered architectures that coordinate disparate underlying networks, enabling cross-domain data exchange, interoperability, and new services. Because it is not a formal standard, the precise meaning of metanet varies by author and field, ranging from architectural proposals to governance and security considerations for interconnected systems.

In networking discourse, metanet concepts are associated with topics such as software-defined networking, cross-domain routing, and multi-operator interconnections. The term is sometimes used to discuss future internet architectures that go beyond the traditional, siloed network model, emphasizing resilience, scalability, and unified policy management across diverse networks. However, metanet is not a universally defined technology or protocol; it functions more as a conceptual umbrella for overlaying and coordinating multiple networks rather than a single implementation.

Metanet is also the name of a Canadian independent video game developer, Metanet Software. The studio is known for creating the N series of platformer games, including N and N++, which are celebrated for their minimalist design, precise controls, and emphasis on speedrunning. As a brand, Metanet Software has no formal relation to networking theory beyond the shared linguistic roots of its name.

In fiction and popular writing, metanet often appears as a speculative global information network that transcends the conventional internet, serving as a narrative device for ubiquitous connectivity, surveillance, or control. Because the term is used variably, its exact meaning depends on the source.