High-Performance Networking: What does this mean to me?
Can I use the Internet2® connection?
Anyone who is part of UNL is entitled to use this connection. A simple way to tell if you will be able to connect to other sites using the Internet2 (I2) backbone is to look at your email address. If it ends in unl.edu you will be eligible to use I2.
If you are not physically located on the UNL campus (either city or east), you will not be able to utilize the benefits of the high speed network. Even if you are on campus, there may be work that needs to be done to insure that you get the most benefit from this connection. If you are in doubt about your ability to use this connection to its maximum potential you should contact the networking group within Information Services at 472-5434.
How do I use the connection?
There is nothing special that you need to do to have your data go over the Internet2 backbone. If you are at UNL and you are connecting to another connected Internet2 campus, your data will automatically be routed across the Internet2 backbone. And anyone at another I2 site who wishes to exchange information with you will also automatically use the I2 to get that information to UNL.
This does not mean that you will be able to use the Internet2 connection to its full potential immediately upon its being activated. Your local network connection may not be fast enough to use the speed of the I2 connection or your machine may not be tuned to transmit onto the network fast enough to make use of the connection. If you believe you are not getting the throughput you expect, you should contact Information Services at 472-5434 for help.
What benefits are there in this service to me?
If you are sending or receiving traffic from another Internet2 site that is currently connected to the I2 backbone, your traffic will follow a path to that site that is both more direct and much faster. Also there will be much less contention for resources since your traffic will not be in competition for resources with commercial Internet traffic and all of the other activities directed at non-Internet2 sites.
Where can I connect to?
You can get information on Internet2 connections at these two sites:
Abilene Maps and Lists
The Abilene Network is an Internet2 high-performance backbone network
GPN Network Information
The Great Plains Network is a consortium of seven midwestern states
Where can I go for help utilizing Internet2?
If you need help, please contact the Information Services' Networking group at 472-5434 and make clear you are asking about high speed connectivity for I2 purposes.
What will it cost me?
Internet2 connectivity is currently funded with grants from NSF and associated agencies with matching funds provided by IS and the University. The only real cost to you is if you need to perform an upgrade on a local machine to allow you to move data at the speeds allowed by this network connection. There are no extra network charges for this service.
