FuSE-MORe-OFFN Project Upgrades Campus Connectivity to Oklahoma’s Research Network
Connectivity to Oklahoma’s Science DMZ, the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network, continues to expand through a new project implemented by OneNet and the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The newest expansion, entitled Furthering Scientific Endeavors Multiple Organization Regional OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (FuSE-MORe-OFFN), is a two-year project. This project will upgrade connectivity from 10G to 100G for Langston University and the University of Central Oklahoma. LU and UCO originally connected to OFFN in 2013. Both universities’ research computing requirements have expanded over the last decade and the need for increased network connectivity to the 100G level has become crucial to providing support for their higher-level projects.
Previous OFFN Projects
This project marks the eighth expansion of the OFFN network. Previous projects have connected 30 college and university locations and have advanced research computing capabilities across the state. Not only will this project upgrade research computing capabilities for these two universities, it will expand access to LU and UCO computing resources for smaller Oklahoma institutions.
“OFFN connection enhances research collaborations and educational opportunities for faculty and students in a variety of disciplines across the state,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “We are fortunate to have the opportunity to strengthen the OFFN connections to LU and UCO, where research computing is growing in critical degree programs.”
Watch OneNet’s OFFN Highlight Video!
OFFN uses a Science DMZ network design to deliver high-speed data transfer capabilities. A Science DMZ engineers a portion of a campus network for science applications. According to ESnet, which developed the model, the configuration and security policies of a Science DMZ create an environment tailored to meet high-performance scientific computing needs, including high-volume data transfer, remote experiment control and data visualization.
As Oklahoma’s Science DMZ, OFFN is a 10 and 100 Gbps research network that provides higher education institutions with a specialized internet connection dedicated for research and education. In addition, it provides a pathway to connect to other resources, such as supercomputers, that empower access to more sophisticated capabilities for students and faculty that are not geographically limited.
Campus Research and Education Initiatives
LU and UCO will leverage the increased connectivity for implementation of a variety of research and education initiatives. At its core, the grant supports STEM-related fields that meet workforce needs outlined in the State Regents’ Blueprint 2030 strategic plan.
Initial projects include:
Langston University
- Supporting Rural Livelihoods in the Water-Stressed Central High Plains
- Physics-Informed Machine Learning and Neural Network to Determine Covid-19 Dynamics
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Datasets for Fundamental Cellular Function
- Predicting Future Trends in the Financial Market with Machine Learning
- Synergy Between Machine Learning Methods and Physics-Based Analytical Approaches
- Effects of Concentrated Media Inoculant on the Microbial Content and Food Production
University of Central Oklahoma
- Automated Approach for Identifying Representative Heartbeats in the Clinical Setting
- Multiphysics Mathematical Modeling of Brain Aneurysms and Aortic Regurgitation
- Entropy Generation in Passive and Active Micromixer Fluidic Devices Using Machine Learning Techniques for Design Optimization
- Cloud Telemetry Security
- Mathematical Models of Fibrinolysis
OneNet makes FuSE-MORe-OFFN possible by providing the network that connects the colleges and universities. OneNet also provides access to Internet2, a nationwide network for education and research. Internet2 is a 400Gbps network that supports big data movement and collaboration among educators across the nation. OneNet is the only organization in Oklahoma that provides access to Internet2.
Project Partners & Management
Internet2, along with several collaborating partners, will provide support for the FuSE-MORe-OFFN project, including the University of Oklahoma, The Quilt, Great Plains Network, Engagement and Performance Operations Center (EPOC) and the Great Plains Regional Cyber Team.
The project will be managed by Brian Burkhart, chief technology officer for OneNet, the state system of higher education’s research and education network. Franklin Fondjo Fotou, associate professor of engineering technology at LU, and Evan Lemley, director of UCO’s school of engineering and Center for Research and Education in Interdisciplinary Computation, will lead research and education application adoption. Bill Bradford of OneNet will manage network technology implementation and training, and April Goode of OneNet will provide planning, communications and coordination services for project implementation.
“OneNet strives to keep pace with the growing research computing requirements at Oklahoma’s higher education campuses,” said Burkhart. “Both LU and UCO have demonstrated the need for the upgraded high-speed connections, as faculty and staff introduce new projects requiring the OFFN network’s capabilities.”
“As Oklahoma’s research and education network, OneNet is positioned to provide the connectivity our higher education campuses require to expand and grow Oklahoma’s research initiatives,” Burkhart said.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under award number 2429560.
Read our latest OFFN update.