News for and about the Internet2 community

["Moore, Gregory A" <>]

IU leads project to connect Pakistan to global research community via new 
high-speed network

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Indiana University, the National Science Foundation, the 
Pakistan Higher Education Commission, and the European Commission have 
partnered to extend the NSF-funded TransPAC2 network managed by IU to connect 
scientists and researchers in Pakistan to their counterparts in the global 
scientific community.

"This is another example of Indiana University's strategy to lead in the 
advanced research networks that connect the world of scholarship and 
discovery," said IU Vice President for Information Technology and CIO Brad 
Wheeler. "IU's Global Research Network Operations Center continues its fine 
work with the National Science Foundation, Internet2, National LambdaRail, 
and other international networks to remotely manage these high performance 
networks so critical to the advancement of global scientific research."

The new connection was inaugurated during the recent Fall Internet2 meeting 
in New Orleans. Representatives from the Higher Education Commission in 
Pakistan participated in the meeting in New Orleans using the 155Mbps 
connection from Islamabad to the EU-funded TEIN2 network, the NSF- funded 
TransPAC2 network, and finally the Internet2 Network to reach New Orleans. 
The virtual participants from Pakistan were joined by other virtual 
participants from more than 10 other countries, including Trinidad and 
Tobago, Egypt, India, Ecuador, Chile, and Sweden.

"I would like to congratulate all who have been involved in the development 
of this high-performance network connection," said IU President Michael 
McRobbie. "In today's global marketplace, advanced computer networks have 
become essential, and through this new network connection, we can expect even 
greater levels of international participation in the advancement of education 
and research."

This new network connection will enable Pakistani scientists from 60 
universities and institutes, linked via the Pakistan Education Research 
Network, to work with their international peers on research projects that 
require fast data transfers to share information across the globe.

"The hard work of many people from the US, Pakistan, and Europe made this 
possible," said James Williams, principal investigator, Indiana University. 
"It is now our responsibility to continue that hard work and cooperation as 
we transform this link into a valuable piece of international 
cyberinfrastructure."

The connection represents a unique cooperation between the United States, 
Pakistan, and the European Commission. The physical network connection 
between Karachi and Singapore was co-funded by the US-NSF and the 
Pakistan-HEC. In Singapore the network connects to the TEIN2 point of 
presence and via the EU-funded TEIN2 network and the NSF-funded TransPAC2 
project -- led by Indiana University -- to the global research and education 
network.

"This represents a major milestone in the development of physical network 
connectivity between Pakistan and the global scientific community," said 
Arden L. Bement, director of the National Science Foundation. "I applaud the 
diligent and sustained efforts of technologists and governments in the US, 
Europe, and Pakistan needed to make this vision a reality. Now we must 
continue those efforts toward our true goal of enhancing global research and 
education collaborations."

The introduction of high speed connectivity between the two countries was one 
stated objective that emerged from a February 2007 US-Pakistan Joint 
Committee Meeting on Science and Technology in Washington, DC. Other proposed 
collaborative activities are outlined in the meeting's public report, which 
may be found at:

  http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/or/82287.htm

Media contact:
Christine Fitzpatrick
Communications Officer
Office of the Vice President for Information Technology

317-278-1818

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Gregory A. Moore
Senior Communications Specialist
Communications Office
University Information Technology Services
Indiana University
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