5/14/03

ALABAMA SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES TO GET INTERNET2 ACCESS THROUGH AU

AUBURN -- An agreement between Auburn University, three other state universities, the Alabama Supercomputer Authority and the Internet2 will soon make Internet2 connections available to all state universities, two-year colleges, public libraries and K-12 schools in Alabama.

The agreement will provide much faster access to valuable academic and research resources, says Richard Burnett, executive director of AU's Office of Information Technology.

"Prior to this agreement, access to these resources had been limited to the four Internet2 member universities in Alabama -- AU, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville -- and the Lee County School System, which was the only K-12 system in the state with Internet2 access," said Burnett.

"That access, as well as the physical connection to Internet2, has been sponsored by AU."

The new agreement will also give Internet 2 access to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

The Internet2 network will speed access to the World Wide Web and provide faster connections to digital libraries, museums and research sites, as well as other high-speed networks where connection has not been possible in the past, said Burnett. The initiative will open up new distance learning opportunities and teaching and learning resources, he added.

Internet2 is a consortium led by 200 universities working in partnership with industry and government to develop and deploy advanced network applications and technologies, accelerating the creation of tomorrow's Internet.

Internet2 is recreating the partnership among academia, industry and government that fostered today's Internet in its infancy.

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may03:AU-internet2

CONTACT: Burnett or Bliss Bailey, 334/844-3500.