1. TF-PR Meeting Lyngby, 17/3-2005 Martin Bech, UNI•C
Why PR has grown important to Forskningsnettet (The Danish Research Network)
TF-PR Meeting
Lyngby, 17/3-2005
Martin Bech, UNI•C

2. Organization of the NRENs in Denmark
The Research Network – Forskningsnettet
Governed by a management committee
Operated by UNI•C
Development by UNI•C (and others)
The Network for the educational sector – Sektornet
Governed by UNI•C
Basic Network infrastructure operated by TDC
Services operated by UNI•C
Development by UNI•C

3. Network infrastructure used to be enough
If the network infrastructure
Reached all the institutions of the users
Had capacity enough
Had a good operational record
Were known and appreciated by those who financed it
- then that used to be all we should care about

4. What changed? From 2003 – prices doubled
Internet and IP bandwidth is no longer anything exceptional
Users are comparing prices and services
Comparing us to a normal Telco - which, of course, is meaningless
New technical possibilities (GRID, Lambda, …)

5. We need to be known by the users
A brand name
Services that differentiate us from a regular telco
Identity services: Shibboleth and PKI
Connectivity services: eduRoam and iPass
GRID services and Lambda switching are services which can not exist without user involvement
Network experiments with user involvement
Create a community around the network

6. Services for the end user
Just like in Sektornet
iPass
Roaming
WAYF-server
Video bridge and on demand services
UniVid – a user involvement project
MultiCast/AccessGRID and all the other technical stuff…

7. Community www.forskningsnettet.dk – expanded and improved
Small brochures
Electronic newletters with compelling content
A user conference
”Technical Reference Group”
Video task force
UniVid project
Roadshow (with limited turnout)
Round of meetings with main institutions

8. Is the future bright and clear?
YES – More attention and recognition than ever
YES – Noone leaves Forskningsnettet and we are winning institutions back!
YES – Exceptional turnout at the last conference
NO – More services require extra funding to be sustained
NO – We have still a long way to go before we solve all relevant common problems for the users

9. Conclusion
The transition from a purely technical back-stage operator into a modern provider of services to the end user would never be possible without your effort