MU Research Network

MU was among the first US research universities to create a separate research network (RNet) in addition to the traditional campus enterprise network. Serving MU’s research community since 1999, RNet exists and is administered separately from, but is interconnected to, MU’s high-speed network. RNet has an autonomous set of virtual local area networks (VLANs) that co-reside within the internet address space of the University, but are on a separate high-speed routing and switch infrastructure. There is no charge for using RNet. Major research labs and scientific instruments at MU campus are connected to RNet with 1-10 gigabits per second interfaces, which can be configured and have researcher-friendly firewall policies. IPv6 routing capabilities are supported within RNet due to the dual-stack mode setup and a separate IPv6 address space is reserved for researcher flows. RNet is also connected to MU’s wired network that provides high-speed Ethernet connectivity and wireless connectivity to most on-campus offices, classrooms, conference rooms, computing sites, residence halls, and some fraternities and sororities.

Internet2 High-Speed Networking

Internet2 is an advanced networking consortium led by the research and education community spanning US and international institutions who are leaders in the worlds of research, academia, industry and government. The Internet2 community is developing breakthrough network technologies that support the most exacting applications of today–and spark the most essential innovations of tomorrow. MU has belonged to Internet2 since its inception in 2000.

Internet2 Innovation Campus

MU is one of a select few universities designated as an Internet2 Innovation Campus. These campuses form the building blocks of a nationwide Research & Education (R&E) innovation platform, helping to create an environment for innovation at leading research universities. Leveraging the Internet2 Network and enabling services like InCommon federated identity management, Internet2 recently began offering a portfolio of services and discounts to Internet2 members, including cloud services and video services.

Network Connectivity

RNet enables accessibility to high performance computing (HPC) resources throughout the four-campus University of Missouri System through a core fiber-optic network and 10 Gigabit (Gb) optics operated by the Missouri Research and Education Network (MOREnet). This MOREnet connectivity enables MU researchers to connect via high-speed networks and collaboration services such as videoconferencing with Missouri’s 900 node research and education network for higher education, K-12 education, telehealth sites and public libraries, as well as state government and their affiliates. Connectivity to Internet2 from RNet is available directly, if needed, and through MOREnet and the Great Plains Network consortium. The direct connection to Internet2 is being upgraded with 100 Gbps connectivity with built-in redundancy provided by MOREnet for route protection to avert network disruption due to faults. The following figure depicts the 100Gb network connectivity.

ci-plan-details