The NSF funds the scientific network

Oct 16, 2009 13:46 GMT  ·  By
Topographical map shows GLORIAD's fiberoptic ring of rings structure: current and future connectivity
   Topographical map shows GLORIAD's fiberoptic ring of rings structure: current and future connectivity

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) proudly announces the extension of the vast scientific network Taj to the Global Ring Network for Advanced Application Development (GLORIAD) grid, spanning across the Northern Hemisphere. India, Singapore, Vietnam and Egypt and now connected to the previous GLORIAD global infrastructure. This will significantly improve existing connections between the United States and China, as well as all the scientific and educational ties between the member countries.

“The possibilities are exciting. GLORIAD provides advanced tools for active collaboration on common problems, spanning climate change, cybersecurity, early warning systems, global public health, and renewable and alternative energy,” NSF Director Arden L. Bement, Jr. explains. “Science is increasingly data-driven and collaborative, and does not respect national borders. High speed optical networks are critical to both national and international scientific efforts. The NSF and its partners are excited to support the development of the Taj network and expect the scientific payoffs to be tremendous,” NSF Math and the Physical Sciences Directorate Acting Assistant Director Ed Seidel adds.

Six million dollars' worth of data exchange points already exist in Hong Kong, Singapore, Alexandria, Mumbai, Amsterdam and Copenhagen, and a new one has just been added in Alexandria, Egypt. The device helps connect the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia and the Caucasus region, all through a state-of-the-art, billion-bits-per-second (Gbps) connection. The US-China network service has also been considerably upgraded by a factor of four. From the usual 2.5 Gbps, the countries can now communicate at a speed of about 10 Gbps, the NSF officials say.

“Taj represents a next big step in the evolution of this global network GLORIAD. By welcoming new partners in Singapore, India, Egypt and Vietnam, and by strengthening existing partnerships with China, five Nordic countries, and our global corporate partner, Tata Communications, Taj dramatically expands the world's science communities by linking scientists, educators and students with the most advanced services available today,” Taj principal investigator Greg Cole concludes.