University of Andorra joins the GÉANT2 research and education community

High bandwidth link via RedIRIS will enable faster collaboration for researchers and students in Andorra

Monday 30 June 2008, Cambridge, UK: GÉANT2 has extended its reach by providing connectivity to the University of Andorra, which now represents the National Research and Education Network (NREN) of Andorra, via RedIRIS, the Spanish NREN, and the Anella Científica, the Catalan Regional Research and Education Network. The new link is a further step towards supporting a truly global research community with the integration of Andorra into Europe’s most advanced research network.

The 100 Mbps, high bandwidth link between the University of Andorra and GÉANT2 is being provided by the Anella Científica and will be routed via the RedIRIS backbone and the GÉANT2 PoP in Madrid, Spain. This new connection will enable collaboration and data transfer between Andorran research groups and associated European academia and will provide access to scientific and information resources for the five research groups in the University of Andorra in e-learning, health, economy, network security and language.

"Scientists, academics and students rely on advanced infrastructures such as Europe's GÉANT2 network to pool resources and to work together effectively, no matter where they are based," said Tomás de Miguel, Head from RedIRIS. “It is important to extend the GÉANT2 reach to include all areas and allow collaboration between the best minds from all over the world”.

Daniel Bastida, Rector of the University of Andorra, commented: “Exciting research is taking place at The University of Andorra and the need for collaboration with international colleagues is becoming increasingly more important. Through this link to GÉANT2, via RedIRIS, our researchers will be able transmit and receive data at high speeds and this is a positive move for Andorra to be part of the GÉANT2 research community”.

“This new link with The University of Andorra and the creation of an Andorran NREN is a further highlight for the GÉANT2 network as it moves further towards achieving our aim of creating a global network for the science and research community,” said Dai Davies, General Manager, DANTE. “I am delighted that this new connection will provide additional opportunities for pan-European research and collaboration.

The University of Andorra is home to 1,000 students and researchers and offers first cycle, second cycle and doctoral studies. Further Andorran research centres may be able to connect to GÉANT2 in the future, via this new Andorran NREN.

For more information about The University of Andorra visit www.uda.ad

For more information aboutr RedIris visit www.red.es and www.rediris.es

For more information about the Anella Científica please visit www.cesca.es