June 27, 2005
NSU to Serve as Broward’s
Hub in Statewide High Speed Data Network
FT. LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, FL. --- Whether
developing innovative biomaterials, probing elemental particles or
monitoring global reefs, more and more scientists rely on massive data
vaults stored at universities and institutions around the world. In
an historic move, researchers at ten Florida universities including
Nova Southeastern University have developed a network that ensures
that capability – one faster than any other education-based computer
network in the Southeast and among the top in the U.S.
The network, which relies on so-called "dark fiber," existing buried fiber
optic cable that wasn’t yet "lit" or tapped for use, can move information
at speeds of ten gigabits per second. Overall, the FLR has space for a total
of 32 ten-gigabit networks -- approximately 100 times more capacity than what
was available to universities previously.
More than two years in the making, the Florida LambdaRail (FLR) Network is
expected to be operational among all its member universities by the end of
June.
FLR is part of the National Lambda Rail (NLR), an initiative to create a national
high-speed information infrastructure for research universities and technology
companies. Similar regional optical networks are underway or completed in California,
Georgia, North Carolina, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, New York and other states.
But the FLR is the only one fully created, funded and controlled by a group
of universities.
"NSU's investment into FLR and the NLR allows university researchers and businesses
in Broward, for the first time ever, to have secure global technology transfer
with institutions of higher education and entrepreneurial business partners by
tying their technology into our network," said George Hanbury II, Ph.D., NSU,
executive vice president for administration.
Casual users at universities likely won’t notice the network’s
massive speed and capacity. But its capabilities are key to scientists who
are working on major research projects in dental medicine, oceanography, optometry/ophthalmology,
pharmacy, psychology and other disciplines.
"This new capability fundamentally eliminates the issue of ‘place’ for
collaboration by faculty," said Larry Conrad, chair of the Florida LambdaRail
Board and associate vice president and chief information officer at Florida State
University. "For the first time, Florida is directly connected to the nation’s
premier research network."
Besides NSU, the private and public universities in the Florida LambdaRail
consortium are Florida Atlantic University, Florida Institute of Technology,
Florida International University, State University, the University of Central
Florida, University of Florida, the University of Miami, the University of
West Florida and the University of North Florida.
Cisco Systems, which provided high-speed routes and other equipment and Level
3 Communications Inc., which provided the 1,540 miles of fiber both have strategic
corporate relationships with the FLR. Sources: Larry Conrad, (850) 644-0066, larry.conrad@fsu.edu and George Hanbury,
II, Ph.D., (954) 262-7555, hanbury@nsu.nova.edu
