JISC

Tim Marshall CEO of UKERNA delivered an interesting presentation emphasising the benefits of a JANET connection.  Many of the JANET services are delivered under a JISC Service Level Agreement (SLA) but for the future JANET hopes to offer non SLA services such as SMS alongside these.  “Taking it to the network” means adapting to the changing practices of a new generation of learners and teachers and evolving pedagogies Tim highlighted that JANET is a private network and the acceptable usage policy is often misunderstood by institutions who may choose to cite it as a reason not to use JANET for certain inter-institutional connections (halls of residence for example).  This, he explained, is not usually the case and offered personal support in answering any questions about this policy.

The directors of JISCs two national data centres Peter Burnhill (Edina) and Julia Chusecz (MIMAS) delivered a joint presentation emphasising the range services and resources available by having a JANET connection, “Taking it to the network”. Both data centres deliver a diverse range of complimentary services and resources that have differing but demanding network requirements and the presentation exemplared just some of these.  “Taking it to the network” means adapting to the changing practices of a new generation of learners and teachers and evolving pedagogies. 

Finally questions were taken from the floor. Questions were asked about the availability of future services (eg VOIP) which will be made available later this year and can be seen as supporting 24/7 cultures. Other questions included the use of JANET for commercial activities and the degree of commercial traffic that travels on the network.  More clarity and support for the JANET acceptable usage policy was requested.