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有效地将数据生产设施连接到强大的计算和存储系统的能力。佐治亚理工学院(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，以增加与阿拉巴马州较小的HBCU机构的连接。作为该项目的结果，阿拉巴马农业与机械大学(AAMU)和南阿拉巴马大学(美国)都能够将他们的连接从低带宽的互联网服务提供商转变为真正的高速R&A；E网络，以帮助增加他们的研究努力。由于他们的IT网络员工和预算较少，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，因此该合同允许GT在SOX安装用于连接、性能管理和大数据传输的预配置硬件设备。随着AAMU网络的加强，他们能够加强以下方面的研究：管理农业数据收集和分析的无人机、天体物理可视化和虚拟指导研究。同样，在南阿拉巴马大学，这个项目正在导致他们的大学和行业合作伙伴之间的数据传输增加，从而消除了更换物理硬盘的需要。这扩大了他们在医疗和其他生命科学应用的多光谱成像领域的研究，以及对来自飞机的传感器数据的分析。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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.