Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Internet2 International Relations
These FAQs are intended to address concerns of international MoU partners, or potential partners. For general questions, objectives, FAQ's, member lists, or technical information on Internet2, please visit About Internet2. For any additional queries not addressed here, please contact Heather Boyles.
FAQs
- How do I become an "international partner" of Internet2?
- What is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)?
- Why doesn't Internet2 have non-US universities as members?
- My network is interested in peering with the Internet2 network. What do I need to do?
- What do I need to do to initiate an MoU?
Q. How do I become an "international partner" of Internet2?
A. Just as membership in the Internet2 project for US-based institutions is self-selecting, organizations outside the US who would like to form a relationship based on a "Memorandum of Understanding" with Internet2 are also self-selecting. Generally, Internet2 is interested in forming these mutually beneficial relationships with:
- Organizations that are committed to similar goals as Internet2.
- Organizations who represent and serve similar constituencies (i.e., non-profit, primarily university and other research organizational membership).
Q.What is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)?
A. An MoU allows organizations to express mutual commitment to work together in advancing our mutual objectives (e.g. the development of advanced networking technologies and applications for the research and education community).
Q. Why doesn't Internet2 have non-US universities as members?
A. Since the Internet2 project was conceived of by U.S. universities, and its mission is specifically targeted at US universities, it was felt that such a US-based organization could not effectively serve institutions outside the US. Further, there are a number of national research networking organizations in countries outside the US with projects similar to Internet2, who can more effectively serve local organizations. Internet2 does, however, believe that strong ties to advanced networking initiatives in the rest of the world are crucial to ensuring the global interoperability of the next generation of networking technologies and applications.
Q. My network is interested in peering with the Internet2 network. What do I need to do?
A. Internet2 operates a nation-wide backbone network that connects Internet2 member campuses through state and regional networks - making up the "Internet2 Network". The Internet2 Network peers directly with a number of non-US networks (NRENs). Information on peering with the Internet2 Network can be found here. In general, Internet2 peers only with networks who have users committed to the same goals as Internet2 members. Non-US organizations running advanced networks have also typically agreed to an international partner agreement with Internet2 prior to interconnecting.
Q. What do I need to do to initiate an international partnership agreement with Internet2?
A. Contact Heather Boyles <heather@internet2.edu>
