Global Advanced Research Networks

Connecting CGIAR Centers to High Speed Research Networks

History

The project was initially implemented to connect a group of at least four CGIAR Centers to advanced research networks, so that:

A critical mass of Centers would be exposed to new opportunities for scientific collaboration both with each other and with advanced research institutes outside the CGIAR.
Innovation, with respect to the way in which the CGIAR System uses Information and Communications Technologies, would be driven by global benchmarks instead of being dictated by inadequate connectivity opportunities in the developing world.
The piloting of an innovative, communication-intensive application, such as hosting a grid computing infrastructure for use in bioinformatics, would be made possible.

IRRI and CIP became the first two CGIAR Centers to take part in a videoconference using the Access Grid. Multi-way videoconferencing became routine at IRRI, and CIAT successfully tested a simultaneous videoconference over Internet2 (an advanced network for educational and research purposes) with CIMMYT, CIP and IRRI.

Access to international research networks, such as Internet2 and the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) provide the CGIAR with opportunities for global collaboration in research and education.

Lead Administrative Center

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Project Coordinator

Paul O’Nolan, IT Manager (IRRI)