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Abstract

eResearch is now a very well-established paradigm for the pursuit of research across all disciplines, whether it be collaborative or individual. Access to networking is a sine qua non of eResearch. But the form of networking available to researchers is having a profound impact on how they undertake their research. AARNet is now offering network access at layers 1, 2 and 3, to suit the needs of the research activity - each of these services will be described. In some cases, the use of networking affects the way researchers carry out their research. In others, it alters the very nature of the research they carry out. And in a few cases it enables research to be undertaken that has previously been impossible.

This range of impacts will be illustrated by reference to examples drawn from Australia and abroad, across a wide range of disciplines. These examples will be drawn from fields as diverse as cancer research, climatology and oceanography, ecosystems, conservation and environmental science, historical document archives, laparoscopic surgery, music, radio-astronomy and particle physics. In addition, examples will be given of the application of such vital collaboration tools as videoconferencing, Access Grid, OptIPortal and CineGrid, which are built upon the network platform.

Conclusions will be drawn as to the implications both for research and for the future provision of network infrastructure in Australia and globally, and in particular for the future of research and education networks.

About the speakers

Alex Reid provides leadership for AARNet’s eResearch program as Director, eResearch/ Middleware, which he undertakes on a parttime basis. He has had 45 years’ experience in the IT industry, 38 in Higher Education, where most recently he was a university IT Director, at the University of WA and at Oxford University, UK. He was formerly the Chair of the AARNet Advisory Committee and sat on the AARNet Board. His main activities now centre around IT/network policy and strategy issues. He retains an honorary professorial fellowship at UWA, where he still undertakes some teaching in the School of Computer Science & Software Engineering. Alex holds a BSc, Dip Comp, MA and MBA (Technology Management).

Greg Wickham is the AARNet Program Manager for eResearch. In this role he acts as a direct conduit for researchers to interact with AARNet. Prior to this he worked in the Infrastructure Development Group (AARNet) and as the GrangeNet Network Operations Manager. At GrangeNet, in addition to maintaining the network on a day-to-day basis, he liaised with the R&E community (both Australian and International); conducted workshops on network technologies; co-designed the GrangeNet II architecture in collaboration with Cisco optical engineers; and provided support for activities that used the GrangeNet network. Prior to joining GrangeNet Greg had several roles at Deakin University: tutoring and lecturing in the School of Computing and Mathematics, and finally Network Section Leader (ITSD). Greg holds a PhD in Computer Science.