National Research Network (NRN)
The NRN project extends and enhances the Australian Research and Education Network
(AREN) to provide significant broadband connectivity for researchers. AREN’s principal
operator is Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) Pty Ltd, with the network
also being supported by regional providers such as the Victorian Education and Research
Network (VERNet) Pty Ltd and South Australia’s Broadband Research and Education
Network (SABRENet) Pty Ltd.
The AREN interconnects universities, research institutions and precincts in all capital cities
and many regional centres, as well as isolated research facilities such as radio telescopes.
AREN also connects to USA, Singapore, Frankfurt and wider Asian and European national
research networks.
Key facts
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States: Australia wide
Lead institute: University of South Australia
Project status: In progress
Australian Government contribution
o $37 million from the 2009-2013 Super Science Initiative
Previous Australian Government contribution to the AREN includes:
 $88 million from the 2001-2005 Systemic Infrastructure Initiative; and
 $3 million from the 2005-2011 National Collaborative Research Infrastructure
Strategy programme.
Funding partners include Australian universities, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial
Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Government of South Australia.
Project deliverables
Super Science National Research Network (NRN) Project
NRN infrastructure is being constructed under nine sub-projects:
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Tasmanian Regional Network Project - enhanced on-island connectivity between
Hobart, Burnie, Launceston and a link to Melbourne with future connection into VERNet
fibre.
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Victorian Research Network Project - significantly enhanced connectivity between
education and research precincts in Melbourne and Geelong.
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Greater Sydney Basin Network Project - construction of fibre to interconnect Sydney
based universities and research institutions and extend the reach of the Sydney Basin
network to Penrith.
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Sunshine Backbone Network Tails Project - construction of fibre in Mackay, Cairns,
Townsville, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Brisbane to connect university campuses and
research institutions to the Brisbane to Cairns Sunshine Backbone.
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Brisbane Outer Metropolitan Fibre Ring Project - construction of fibre to connect outer
metropolitan based universities and research institutions to existing network
infrastructure in inner urban sites.
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Lighting the Backbone Adelaide to Perth Project - provision of this link completes the
national AREN backbone network between mainland capital cities enabling high-end
research connectivity between the East and West coasts.
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Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory (MRO) Connectivity Project - Connection of
the Perth based Pawsey High Performance Computing Centre for Square Kilometre Array
Science to the Murchison Radio Observatory, via Geraldton.
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Greater Perth Fibre Ring Project - significantly enhanced connectivity between
education and research precincts in metropolitan Perth.
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Research Data Storage Infrastructure (RDSI) Interconnection Project - connection of
the six Primary and two Additional RDSI Nodes to the AREN backbone.
Access
Access to AREN infrastructure is open to Australian universities, research institutions and
individual researchers via arrangements with AARNet Pty Ltd, VERNet Pty Ltd or SABRENet
Pty Ltd.
Participating organisations and partners
Super Science National Research Network (NRN) Project
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University of South Australia (lead agency)
AARNet Pty Ltd
VERNet Pty Ltd
CSIRO
University of Tasmania
Queensland Regional Network Organisation
Western Australia Regional Network Organisation
NSW and ACT University Directors of Information Technology
Related links
For more information visit:
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NRN project website – www.nrn.edu.au/
AARNet Pty Ltd operates the AREN backbone. The shareholders are 38 Australian
universities and the CSIRO – www.aarnet.edu.au/
VERNet Pty Ltd provides high bandwidth connectivity to the research and education
sector in Victoria. The shareholders are the nine Victorian universities and the CSIRO
– www.vernet.com.au
SABRENet Pty Ltd provides high bandwidth connectivity to the research and
education sector in metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia. The shareholders are the
three Adelaide based universities and the South Australian Government www.sabrenet.edu.au