Collaboration in NSF-Funded Virtual Project to Provide Enhanced Peering Connection
HARRISBURG, PA – The Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER), a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering collaboration through technology in Pennsylvania, and Edge, the New Jersey statewide research and education network, announced the establishment of a peering connection between KINBER’s PennREN network and the Edge network. This new advanced peering connection between the two state networks will allow for greater capacity, speed and enhanced research capabilities between PennREN connected institutions across Pennsylvania and Edge connected institutions in New Jersey.
The added network capabilities provided by the new peering connection will benefit a number of science, research, education and community outreach initiatives in the region, including the Virtual Data Collaboratory – A Regional Cyberinfrastructure for Collaborative Data Intensive Science project (VDC) recently funded $4M by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The VDC project led by the Rutgers Discovery Informatics Institute at Rutgers University includes KINBER and EDGE as regional partners funded through the NSF’s Data Infrastructure Building Blocks (DIBBs) program. The project’s goal is to conceptualize, design, and implement a Virtual Data Collaboratory to support collaborative, data-intensive science research by multi-disciplinary teams drawn from multiple institutions across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including the establishment of a Data DMZ between the two regions. The VDC will leverage existing data repositories including the Ocean Observatories Initiative and the Protein Data Bank, and existing investments in advanced cyberinfrastructure such as the NSF-funded Big Data Regional Hubs, XSEDE, and OSG, among others.
“As a result of this new peering connection between PennREN and Edge, KINBER continues to offer added value to its members in the research and education community by providing significantly enhanced access to the resources and infrastructure available through partnership with NJEdge,” said Wendy Huntoon, KINBER President and CEO. “The Virtual Data Collaboratory project is a key example of how the enhanced network peering will serve to advance scientific research and foster collaboration in and between both regions.”
KINBER and Edge also partner in other areas including sharing of educational opportunities such as webinars and special events among their respective members. KINBER also offers the award-winning KINBER Digital Cloud digital repository service in partnership with illumira (formerly NJVid) and Edge to serve institutions in Pennsylvania that are seeking digital repository services.
“Edge is pleased to deepen our partnership with KINBER through this new peering connection,” said Edge President and CEO, Dr. Samuel Conn. “This next step will offer added collaboration and research opportunities of value to both organizations and their respective members.”
About KINBER
The Keystone Initiative for Network Based Education and Research (KINBER) is Pennsylvania’s statewide research, education and community network. The non-profit membership organization is comprised of education, healthcare, economic development, libraries, public media, government and other non-profit organizations devoted to fostering collaboration through technology. Established in 2010 through a $99.6 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, KINBER provides network connectivity and services to more than 80 organizations in Pennsylvania. KINBER is committed to delivering equitable, reliable and affordable digital infrastructure and tools to inspire tomorrow’s scientific discoveries, enable the exchange of ideas and culture among diverse populations, educate the next generation of citizens and revitalize Pennsylvania’s economy. For more information, visit KINBER.org or follow @KINBER on Twitter.
About Edge
Edge is a member-driven, non-profit technology consortium of academic and research institutions in New Jersey, our dedication to higher education, K-12 education, healthcare, public and non-profit service members, collaborating partners and subscribing patrons drives our commitment to constant innovation and elevated learning. To learn more about Edge, visit Edge.
CONTACTS:
Leslie Amorós Sheri Prupis
KINBER Edge
(717) 880-4196 (975) 596-5490