BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Jan. 19 — GlobalNOC, the Global Research Network Operations Center at Indiana University, will provide premier network coordination and engineering services for the Pennsylvania Research and Education Network, or PennREN.

PennREN was established by the Keystone Initiative for Network-Based Education and Research to build a fiber optic cable network that will extend over 1,600 miles through 39 Pennsylvania counties. KINBER is a public and private coalition of Pennsylvania colleges and universities, research and health care organizations, and economic development entities. In 2010, it received nearly $100 million in federal stimulus funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to create its network.

"This cross-state partnership affirms the value that Indiana has to offer in building out state, regional and national high-speed networks that further the national broadband initiative. We applaud the efforts of our friends in Pennsylvania to bring the power of high-speed networking to their state," said David E. Jent, IU associate vice president for networks.

"From our own experience here in Indiana with I-Light, we know that Pennsylvania will see great benefits from this network. It will help many private companies leap ahead in providing really fast connections to their rural Pennsylvania communities."

"Because of PennREN's size and deployment timeframe, we knew we would need to quickly partner with a significant Network Operation Center provider," said Jeff Reel, KINBER executive director. "KINBER was aware of the GlobalNOC's stature in the national research and education network community, so we felt them to be a perfect fit. We are thrilled with the caliber of the cost-effective technical expertise they are already bringing to the project."

IU will provide 24/7 service desk and network operations services, as well as engineering support, for PennREN. The GlobalNOC's network operations and engineering services rely on advanced network management software specifically developed by the GlobalNOC software team to meet the needs of research and education networks like PennREN.

"PennREN will provide vital research and education network infrastructure for the people of Pennsylvania, like the many other networks for which IU provides services," said Jon-Paul Herron, director of GlobalNOC engineering. "We are delighted that we can lend our years of network support experience to our partners in Pennsylvania."

About KINBER/PennREN

KINBER, the Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research, is a nonprofit organization incorporated to provide services to Pennsylvania through the establishment and operation of a high-speed network for research and education purposes.

PennREN, the Pennsylvania Research and Education Network, is a high-speed fiber broadband network providing 100M-10G Ethernet connectivity for services to institutions of higher education, preK-12 programs, health care entities, libraries, nonprofits and other partners. The network advances Pennsylvania's capabilities and services in education, health care, workforce development and economic development in support of sustainable growth, government and enhanced services.

About the IU GlobalNOC

GlobalNOC, the Global Research Network Operations Center at Indiana University, is a premier provider of highly responsive network coordination, engineering and installation services that support the advancement of research and education networking. Supporting more than 18 state, regional, national and international networks, the IU GlobalNOC is a provider of 24/7/365 expert support for the most advanced research networks.

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Source: Indiana University