Network Access

The remit of JANET(UK)'s network access team is to extend the edge of the network into learning and social spaces outside the campus, and to foster mobility within and between networked environments. The ultimate goal of these efforts is to deliver JANET content and resources to the user whenever and wherever required.

News

• Trevor Collins, Open University talks about Portable WLANs at Networkshop 2010
• David Blake, British Antarctic Survey, speaks about the use of networks in Polar Regions, at Networkshop 2010.
• The Mobile Broadband survey has now been completed. The outcomes of this have led to a new strategic direction in this area.
• Project results published for Location-aware Wireless Infrastructure trial.
• Further Project results published for Mobile IP trials.
• Project results for the Local Loop Unbundling activity published.

Strategy

This vision of network access was first set out in the network access strategy 07-08 document, and has subsequently been refined in the current strategic statement for this work area: Network Access Strategy 2009. This is an evolving document, and feedback is welcomed. We will be seeking specific input to this document from the forthcoming Network Access Event 2009 (see below).

Topic Areas

The network access programme is a highly collaborative endeavor dependant upon the support of a wide subset of the community and tracking new technologies in many fields.

Wireless networking is a core technology at present for delivering network access services. Other areas currently under investigation include:

• Mobile IP
• Local Loop Unbundling
• Location Awareness
• Portable Wireless LANs
• IF-MAP
• Visualisation Tool

Events

Network access 'technology update' events are organised as required, roughly every two years. Some focus on a single topic, such as wireless, and others offer more of an overview. The last event was held on November 3rd 2009.

Contact details
If you would like further information about the JANET Network Access programme as a whole, the current trial activities, or wish to make any comments then please contact Mark O'Leary.