100G ScienceNet
Kent State Science Research enters into Big Data Era
Today, January 21, 2020 at 12 noon EST, 5XÉçÇø’s 100 Gbps network for Big Science was lighted. Together, KSU’s Fiber Networking team, KSU Department of Computer Science and OARNET (Ohio’s Research and Education Network) lighted the all optical direct fiber connectivity from Arts and Science Cluster to Columbus OARNET PoP, joining the USA’s national cyber infrastructure of large science data transfer using advanced DWDM technology.
The project is led by PI Javed I Khan, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)’s national cyber infrastructure program. This experimental infrastructure, being spearheaded by a group of national researchers will enable terabyte sized files and live stream videos to be transferred back and forth in a matter of minutes enabling a new way doing research involving very large data sets. While many such ‘big data’ applications are emerging, researchers at most institutions today are still unable to perform such large data transfers. Just to compare, using former KSU links will take many hours or even days to try such data transfers. The science project also enables KSU itself to upgrade its own enterprise internet connectivity to 40Gbps network. John Rathje, VP & CIO, Information Technology, quote "The Division of Information Technology is extremely gratified to see this project reach this milestone. The high-speed network will strengthen Kent State’s position in the research community and provide improved learning opportunities for students. We are honored to be part of an effort that advances Kent State’s research and academic mission and we look forward to continued collaboration with Dr. Khan and the Ohio Academic Resource Network on this and future initiatives."
Soon Right after the lighting, several large data resources will be connected and made available and tested. In the subsequent months, the project will bring an exciting set of big-data resources for experimentation, engaging a team of interdisciplinary collaborating researchers from Kent and abroad. The experimental network will also develop technology so researchers not only from Kent main campus but including all its eight regional campuses will be able use the facility equally at ease with a ultra-low latency perimeter.
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