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OSCnet Program Review

The OSCnet is the most advanced statewide research network in the nation. After nearly two years of development, institutions of higher education throughout the state have access to the nation's most advanced statewide education and research network. Additionally, Ohio's primary and secondary schools have connected to the network.

OSCnet is a technology initiative of the Ohio Board of Regents, and is operated by the networking division of the Ohio Supercomputer Center (OSC). The eTech Ohio Commission and Ohio Department of Education are also OSCnet founding members. OSCnet backbone infrastructure and equipment were purchased with state and federal funds. OSC Networking purchased unused, or "dark fiber" from several telecommunications companies (Telcos) and service providers to build OSCnet.

Equipment installation and testing is complete on the 1,850 mile backbone that connects Ohio's colleges and universities, elementary, middle and high schools, and state and local governments. Medical research centers and hospitals such as The Ohio State University Medical Center, children's hospitals in Columbus and Cincinnati, and the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo also use the new network, as do federal research centers such as NASA-Glenn in Cleveland, and Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton.

"OSCnet is one of the most important education and research projects in Ohio's proud history, and serves as an example to the nation of how the public and private sectors can collaborate for the greater good of the people," said OSC Executive Director Stan Ahalt. "OSCnet will generate many new opportunities, not only for advances in education and research, but also for advances in the economy as we attract more companies to locate in Ohio, and we stimulate the creation of new companies that create new jobs."

The new network's massive increase in capacity provides revolutionary ways for conducting research in fuel-cell technology, cancer treatment, bioinformatics, DNA mapping, and a host of other applications. OSCnet also allows children to take virtual field trips and share classrooms around the state and around the world without ever leaving their schools. It lets doctors see patients across town or across the state without leaving their offices. And it provides access to OSC's supercomputers in the blink of an eye.

All higher education institutions are now connected to the OSCnet.

OSCnet Reference Documents

OSC Networking Meeting August 11, 2004 [ppt]
OSCnet Overview: OPLIN Meeting April 8, 2004 [ppt]