CC* Regional: Promoting Research and Education at Small Colleges in Alabama through Network Architecture Enhancements

数据密集型科学仪器的进步已经大大超过了一些校园网络基础设施将数据生产设施有效连接到强大的计算和存储系统的能力。格鲁吉亚理工学院（GT）与南方轻轨（SLR）及其高速研究网络南方十字路口（SoX）合作，建立了这个项目，以增加与亚拉巴马较小和HBCU机构的连接。由于该项目，亚拉巴马农业和机械大学（AAMU）和南亚拉巴马大学（美国）能够将其连接从低带宽ISP转换为真正的高速R E网络，以帮助增加其研究工作。由于其IT网络人员和预算较小，并且不具备采购和管理多个互联网提供商的专业知识或资金，因此该奖项允许GT在SoX安装预配置的硬件设备，用于连接，性能管理和大数据传输。随着AAMU网络的增强，他们能够加强以下方面的研究：无人机管理农业数据收集和分析，天体物理可视化和虚拟指导研究。同样，在南亚拉巴马大学，该项目正在增加他们的大学和行业合作伙伴之间的数据传输，消除了交换物理硬盘驱动器的需要。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Advancements in data-intensive scientific instrumentation have greatly surpassed the capability of some campus networking infrastructures to effectively connect data-producing facilities to powerful computing and storage systems. Georgia Tech (GT) working in partnership with Southern Light Rail (SLR) and its high-speed research network, Southern Crossroads (SoX), has established this project to increase connectivity to smaller and HBCU institutions in Alabama. As a result of this project, both Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) and the University of South Alabama (USA) are able to transition their connectivity from a low-bandwidth ISP to a true high-speed R&E network to help increase their research efforts. Since their IT networking staff and budget are smaller and do not possess the expertise or funding in procuring and managing multiple internet providers, this award is allowing GT to install pre-configured hardware appliances for connectivity, performance management, and large data transfers at SoX. With the enhancement of the network at AAMU, they are able to enhance their research on the following: UAVs to manage agricultural data collection and analysis, astrophysics visualization, and virtual mentoring research. Similarly at the University of South Alabama, this project is leading to an increase in the data transfer between their university and industry partners eliminating the need to exchange physical hard drives. This is expanding their research in the field of multi-spectral imaging for medical and other life science applications, as well as analysis of sensor data from airplanes.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.