Merging I-Light, circuit-based networks offers a number of benefits for state's entire higher education community

December 8, 2006
Contact: communications@ihets.org

For nearly 15 years, IHETS operated a circuit-based advanced data network, providing fully managed services like 24 x 7 field repair, Help Desk technical support, on-site engineering, and technical consulting throughout the state.

Until recently, IHETS was also engaged in planning, managing, and extending the original fiber optic I-Light backbone to more than a dozen new nodes throughout the state. Operating responsibility for the expanded I-Light project was returned to its original participants—Indiana University and Purdue University—by Governor Daniels last November.

Daniels noted that when the extension was complete, however, it would be available to all public and private Indiana higher education institutions for the support of their research and education programs.

A major advancement for higher education and the state of Indiana

After much discussion, study, and deliberation among members of the IHETS Board of Directors, the Independent Colleges of Indiana (ICI), Indiana University, and others, it was determined that merging the older, circuit-based network with I-Light would offer a number of advantages.

“This effort is a major advancement for the consortium and state. The new infrastructure will provide immediate benefits and a growth path for adopting and utilizing the newest developing technologies. It also verifies that Indiana's leadership recognizes the importance of advanced, high-capacity telecommunication networks for education and economic development," reported Dr. O’Neal Smitherman, vice president for information technology and CIO at Ball State University.

A formal resolution confirming the transition of network operations from IHETS to a new network operation primarily administered by Indiana University has been adopted. Because of its established representation of the broader higher education community in Indiana, governance of the combined network will be driven by the IHETS board, added Smitherman, who chairs the board’s technology operations committee.

“We all agreed that having two networks—the new fiber-based I-Light network and the older circuit-based network upon which many independent colleges, Ivy Tech campuses, and Purdue County Extension Services rely—operated by separate organizations is simply not feasible or optimal for higher education,” explained Mark Bruhn, associate vice president for telecommunications at Indiana University.

Bruhn, who also serves on IHETS’ technical operations committee, noted separate networks would diminish the opportunities for synergy, collaboration, research, and simple economies of scale and scope that can be achieved from a united network.

The merger will create a dedicated I-Light unit, staffed by many of the same individuals previously responsible for these functions at IHETS, to coordinate and assist Indiana's colleges and universities with their connectivity needs.

“Redirecting some of IHETS' staff who have been working in higher education networking over the years to Indiana University’s Global Research Network Operations Center (GRNOC) captures the knowledge and experience acquired by IHETS while leveraging the vast expertise Indiana University has in engineering and management of optical networks,” Bruhn stated.

IHETS board, operating committees will represent consortium, including state's independent colleges

On behalf of Indiana's 31 independent and seven public colleges and universities, IHETS will continue to provide input, direction, and counsel related to network operations and future directions. The broad representation and expertise of its board and committee members will ensure the needs of all institutions are considered and addressed.

"We are pleased Anderson University is the state's first independent university to be connected to I-Light," said Patrick Alles, director of research and technology for the Independent Colleges of Indiana.

"This network provides Indiana's independent colleges an opportunity to shift their thinking. No longer will bandwidth be considered a resource that is constrained or limited in size. Instead, they will be able to take advantage of a managed resource providing virtually unlimited bandwidth. Connections to I-Light will have an equalizing effect in that independent institutions of all sizes in addition to the large, public research institutions, will benefit," Alles added.

According to Alles, ICI's members will also be able to more fully utilize advanced educational technologies like Web-based conferencing and streaming. "As our members develop and implement increasingly imaginative uses of these applications, all of Indiana's college students will benefit from a richer educational experience. The independent institutions will have the freedom to create new or enhance existing programs, thus establishing their own unique 'niches' in Indiana's higher education community," he explained.

A possible downside, however, is that the ability of ICI members to connect to the high-speed network could be constrained by two factors—the cost of establishing and maintaining an I-Light connection and geographic proximity to the nearest network node, Alles noted.

For more information, contact communications@ihets.org.