First Large Scale Asian Research Network Deployed
Press Release
TEIN2 project provides researchers in ten countries with gateway for global collaboration
Cambridge 15th December: Asian-Pacific research is to be boosted by the deployment of a high speed network to link scientific researchers with their peers across the region and in Europe. Managed by research networking organisation DANTE, the project, known as TEIN2, creates the first large-scale research and education network for the region, linking ten countries at speeds of up to 622 Mbps.
TEIN2 will link national networks in China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Australia. The new high capacity network aims to bridge the digital divide between different countries across the region, and enable faster collaboration on projects across the globe through links to Europe’s GÉANT2, the world’s most advanced international research and education network.
Potential applications include natural disaster warning systems, e-learning and e-health initiatives, linking radio astronomy telescopes and other projects where fast transfer of massive amounts of data is vital.
“DANTE is using the experience it has gained from setting up regional research networks in the Mediterranean and Latin America to bring TEIN2 into service quickly, cost-effectively and in partnership with the region’s national research networks,” commented David West, TEIN2 project manager, DANTE. “By providing a powerful and reliable communications channel, TEIN2 will bring together Eastern and Western regional academic communities for the first time.”
The network, which was initiated in 2004 and will run until 2008, is part-funded by the European Union’s EuropeAid programme, which is contributing up to €10 million towards the costs of connecting partner countries. Additional support has been provided by the Japanese networks NII and Maffin, who are contributing regional connectivity and a link from Japan to North America is provided by TransPAC2. Further assistance comes from Juniper Networks, who are sponsoring the Internet routing equipment located in TEIN2’s three network hubs in Beijing, Singapore and Hong Kong.
“Until TEIN2 inter-connectivity in the region was insufficient to support world-class research and education activities,” commented Chalermpol Charnsripinyo, spokesperson, ThaiREN, Thailand, one of the national networks involved in the project. “The network provided by TEIN2 will be able to support current research activities and enhance international research collaboration in the future.”
The network will be operated by DANTE, who already operate networks in Europe (GÉANT2), Latin America (ALICE) and North Africa/Middle East (EUMEDCONNECT). Working in collaboration with DANTE are RENATER, SURFnet and UKERNA, the National Research and Education Networks of France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, respectively. As part of the deployment DANTE has awarded a contract to operate the Network Operating Centre (NOC) that manages TEIN2 to Tsinghua University, China.
The first links will begin operation in January 2006. The Topology is available to download at www.tein2.net
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About TEIN2:
TEIN2 (Trans-Eurasia Information Network) – creates the first large-scale research and education network for the Asia-Pacific region. It connects regional researchers with their counterparts in Europe via GÉANT2, the world’s most advanced international research and education network, providing the Asia-Pacific countries with a gateway for global research collaboration. Initiated in 2004 and running until 2008, TEIN2 will contribute to the further development of the Trans-Eurasia Information Network (TEIN) initiative, which was an outcome of the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) to improve research networking between Europe and Asia-Pacific. Through TEIN, the first Europe-Asia link dedicated for research and education was established bilaterally between RENATER in France and KISDI in South Korea, with the installation of a connection in December 2001.
The TEIN2 network is managed by DANTE, the research networking organisation which currently operates projects in Europe, Latin America, North Africa and the Middle East. Working in collaboration with DANTE on TEIN2 are RENATER, SURFnet and UKERNA, the National Research and Education Networks of France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, respectively. The Asian partners are China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam; Australia and TransPAC2 are also actively participating. For more information please visit www.tein2.net
Editorial contacts:Chris Measures/Emma Ballard
Rainier PR (on behalf of DANTE)
+44(0)20 7494 6570
cmeasures@rainierpr.co.uk
