Rogers State University has received upgraded connectivity to the OneOklahoma Friction Free Network (OFFN), Oklahoma’s research network, through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant awarded to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and OneNet.
OFFN is a 10 and 100 Gbps research network that provides higher education institutions with a dedicated network route that is much faster than traditional internet highways. This alternate pathway allows researchers to bypass slower traditional networks and transmit data at higher speeds.
The upgraded connection makes advanced cyberinfrastructure tools and services available to RSU. Faculty and researchers will utilize these tools for research and education initiatives in network-based cybersecurity and information assurance education. Projects initially supported by the new connection will be led by Brian Reeves, RSU’s director of information technology.
“This upgrade will increase our campus bandwidth from 2 Gbps to 10 Gbps,” Reeves said. “This will allow RSU to provide greater support for our cybersecurity course offerings, enhance our usage of cloud services and provide more bandwidth for students, faculty and staff.”
In May 2022, NSF awarded the State Regents and OneNet a $942,263 Campus Cyberinfrastructure (CC) grant to connect two new higher education campuses to OFFN and upgrade connections for two more. Administered by NSF’s Office of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure, the CC grant program invests in campus-level cyberinfrastructure improvements for science applications and research projects. The grant award connects College of the Muscogee Nation and Murray State College to the OFFN network and upgrades connectivity for RSU and Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology.
Previous NSF grant awards connected 19 research and regional universities to OFFN. This new award specifically targeted smaller institutions to expand their research and education initiatives. Additional grant funding awarded since 2022 will soon bring the number of connected campus locations to 30.
“The State Regents are pleased to upgrade connectivity for RSU to the OFFN network,” said Chancellor Allison D. Garrett. “The new connectivity enables research collaborations across Oklahoma’s campuses and advances STEM education for Oklahoma’s students.”
The OFFN network and the new connections are managed by OneNet, the comprehensive digital communications entity of the state system of higher education and Oklahoma’s research and education network. Brian Burkhart, OneNet chief technology officer, is providing oversight for all aspects of grant implementation.
“OneNet is RSU’s partner in research and education. OneNet is leveraging the NSF awards to advance scientific discovery, innovation, and educational initiatives for our state’s institutions,” Burkhart said. “Expanding access to supercomputing and cyberinfrastructure resources for RSU faculty and students creates new opportunities that weren’t possible prior to the grant award.”
For more information about RSU, visit www.rsu.edu.