NUIT participates in several research network collaborations, including:

• StarLight, the "optical STAR TAP" (Science, Technology and Research Transit Access Point), interconnects advanced networks worldwide. Designed and developed by researchers, for researchers, StarLight, is a proving ground for next-generation national and international optical networks optimized for high-performance applications. The global scientist community are among StarLight's first users due to high-bandwidth application requirements and distributed computing and storage needs.
• Global Ring Network for Advanced Application Development (GLORIAD) is a partnership between the U.S., China, Russia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Korea, which supports scientists on a global scale. The partnership offers advanced networking services and technologies for enhanced communications and data exchange, active collaboration, and integrated processes, enabling access to unique scientific facilities and specialized tools and technologies for scientists, engineers, as well as, other researchers.
• UKLight is an international research facility supporting multiple large-scale science projects. It consists of 10 Gbps connections from London to StarLight in Chicago and NetherLight in Amsterdam, as well as a national infrastructure that integrates UK's major university research institutions among primary points of presence and international peering points.
• Global Lambda Integrated Facility (GLIF) is an international organization developing and promoting new methods and concepts related to lightpath (lambda) networking. GLIF participants support multiple research and development activities directed at creating new international communication services. The GLIF supports data-intensive scientific research, optical middleware development, and testbed projects.
• National LambdaRail (NLR) supports a variety of networks, including advanced experimental research networks. One half of the capacity of the NLR is devoted to advanced research related to fundamental technology and to new methods for supporting science applications.
• TeraGrid is a large-scale, distributed, and computationally intensive infrastructure with sites at several U.S. facilities. It was designed to rival the most powerful computers in the world. StarLight provides the international community with access to the TeraGrid.
• Illinois Wired/Wireless Infrastructure for Research and Education(I-WIRE) is a State of Illinois optical network based on dark fiber. I-WIRE is interconnected to dedicated fiber-based advanced networks and is extended to several sites in downstate Illinois.
• UltraLight is a research project established by network engineers and experimental physicists for the development of new methods for providing advanced network services in support of the next generation of high-energy physics. The facilities and instruments generate multiple petabytes of particle physics data that can be analyzed by physicists worldwide.
• Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) conducts research and development for advanced applications and services, and provides an advanced network environment for local research communities and international collaboration.

Additional Information

Support Contacts

Research Resources Support

NUIT Academic & Research Technologies
research-resources@northwestern.edu