Dakota State establishes Internet2 connection

Dakota State University continues its tradition of keeping up-to-date with emerging technology, announcing that an Internet2 (I2) connection has been established for the university. With the addition of I2, Dakota State will have a more direct, high-speed connection with other universities.

“The Internet2 connection will enable DSU faculty and students to work with the newest networking technologies and computing applications,” said David Zolnowsky, DSU Chief Information Officer. “It provides a more direct high-speed connection to peers and resources at other universities. Access greatly bolsters our ability to collaborate with other researchers and to continue to provide our students with access to emerging technologies.”

Internet2 is a high bandwidth connection, free of commercial traffic, used primarily by higher education for research and collaboration.

According to Zolnowsky, the I2 connection will help DSU in the recruitment of students and faculty.

“At one time, access to Internet services was the benchmark utilized by faculty and students to measure the communications infrastructure of a university,” said Zolnowsky. “Today, that benchmark is access to Internet 2 service.”

“DSU needs to provide access to I2 in order to compete for and retain students and faculty,” added Zolnowsky. “Faculty comes to DSU expecting to have access to I2 resources. We need to be able to provide them those resources.”

The I2 connection doesn’t replace the current I1 connection, but serves as an additional resource for students and faculty.

According to Dr. Cecelia Wittmayer, Vice President for Academic Affairs, on campus training session will be held to encourage faculty use of Internet2 resources.

“At this time, many of the I2 applications are science-based but, as access to I2 expands, the variety and types of applications will also expand,” Wittmayer said. “We plan to provide periodic updates for faculty, to make it easier for them to incorporate I2 applications into existing courses and into existing faculty research.”

The initial deployment of I2 services in the state were funded by a NSF grant. Building on the success of these preliminary activities, the South Dakota Legislature authorized funding, which sustained existing I2 service. It also provided the resources to broaden service to include all the public Higher Education universities. Dakota State has been on the I2 network since April 1.