The Works of DANTE - Issue 1

ALICE

The first regional research network for Latin America began operating on 1 August 2004. The ground-breaking ALICE project ("America Latina Interconectada con Europa") has created a research and education network to connect Latin American countries together. It provides a direct link to European researchers for the first time, via a connection to GÉANT.

The Network

The first phase of implementation has seen the construction of a 155Mbps "ring" to connect the national networks of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Panama and Mexico. This Latin American ring is linked to GÉANT via a 622Mbps connection to Madrid. An adjoining network branch connects to Venezuela via a 45Mbps circuit between Caracas and Sao Paulo. Further connections to the NRENs of Paraguay and Uruguay, will follow shortly, while the project will ultimately connect 18 Latin American NRENs, stretching from Mexico to Chile. The network infrastructure is being provided by Global Crossing, and includes the transatlantic link to Madrid.

By establishing a regional research network, the project aims to fight the digital divide that exists throughout Central and South America. It will accelerate the development of the Information Society and stimulate the local development of NRENs. Many Latin countries are now focusing their efforts on developing their own national networks, giving them the ability to access the global Research and Education community.

Applications

Potential applications of the ALICE network are many and varied. The project will allow collaboration in research areas across multiple fields. Investigation of the El-Niño phenomenon is just one study area that will benefit. Regional climatologists will have access to a global network of counterparts, with ALICE and GÉANT able to transport the large amounts of data that weather modelling produces. Together, researchers may be able to unlock some of the mystery surrounding a regional event that has such global consequences.

The project is being co-ordinated by DANTE. It is partnered by CLARA, DANTE's Latin American cousin and by four European NRENs. These are RENATER (France), GARR (Italy), FCCN (Portugal) and RedIRIS (Spain). Within the region itself, the project is partnered by the NRENs of 18 Latin American countries. A full list of these can be found on the ALICE website at www.dante.net/alice

This microsite also contains useful information and links to the @lis programme, which aims to reinforce the partnership between the European Union and Latin America, in the field of the Information Society. An ALICE brochure is available to download and a network topology poster will be available soon – so keep checking the site!