NETWORKS

BLOOMINGTON, IN -- Indiana University and Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane), announced today (July 2) the installation of a dedicated, high-speed research network connection to support joint research and education activities. The connection uses optical fiber made available through an agreement with Smithville Telephone Company. IU and NSWC Crane will investigate and advance the development of technologies to improve Naval diagnostic and maintenance operations. The work will develop systems to enable technicians and engineers on shore, in diverse locations attached to the Internet, to remotely identify and fix problems on a ship at sea. For example, using these systems a team of specialists from across the country can be quickly brought together in an online environment, diagnose the cause of failure in a key piece of equipment (engines, fire control systems, navigational computers, etc.) and actually repair it remotely. This will mean that problems now taking days to identify and resolve, and involving physically gathering technicians and engineers (and possibly transporting them to remote off-shore locations) will be handled in hours, saving time, money and potentially lives. Other joint projects will focus on the development of training programs for Navy personnel that will be delivered via shared virtual environments (virtual reality), as well as other distance learning initiatives. For example, the same simulation technologies used to train pilots will be used to teach sailors complex weapons systems or to repair and maintain shipboard systems. Several of these virtual interactive environments can be connected using a network to create a shared "classroom" in which instructors and students can interact at the same time from around the globe. The evaluation of remote access to advanced analytical instrumentation and network security strategies is also of interest to NSWC Crane. IU has a research program to develop means for researchers to use one-of-a-kind scientific instrumentation such as telescopes and microscopes remotely, from their home laboratories. The IU-Crane network provides a means to extend this program to help students and researchers in the state access specialized analytical instrumentation used in developing and testing new materials at Crane. Remote communication involving the maintenance of Naval platforms will require high levels of security not generally available over current Internet and wireless technologies. The new link between IU and Crane will enable the exploration of strategies and the development of new security methods and tools. The network connection runs over a 40-mile stretch of optical fiber from IU's Bloomington campus to NSWC Crane and makes use of the latest long-distance optical communication equipment. Discussions are under way that will extend this network to the Indiana GigaPoP in Indianapolis (a meeting place for high-speed university and state networks), and from there to the IUPUI campus and the Abilene/Internet2 network. "This is a major step forward for both Crane and IU, as it provides a valuable resource for developing future education and joint research endeavors," said Michael A. McRobbie, IU Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer (CIO). McRobbie added, "We are most pleased with the opportunity to leverage IU's information technology strengths in advanced visualization and advanced networking through our partnership with Crane." "The connection will allow engineers and scientists at Crane to build strong partnerships with researchers at IU, and that is a great opportunity for Crane," said Duane C. Embree, executive director of NSWC Crane. Embree went on to say, "Developing this kind of partnership with academia is a key element of Crane's mission." David Fisher, Crane business information manager and CIO, added, "Building this secure connection gives us a chance to work more closely together and test new networking security technologies that will build closer ties between higher education and government institutions." Smithville Telephone Company, a major provider of fiber and telecommunication services in south central Indiana, provides fiber for the IU-Crane connection. The agreement allows Smithville Telephone Company, and the partners, the chance to explore the applications of its newly installed fiber system in southern Indiana. NSWC Crane serves a modern and sophisticated Navy as a recognized leader in diverse and highly technical product lines such as microwave devices, acoustic sensors, small arms, microelectronic technology and more. Crane is a vital component of the state's economy and a valued member of the southern Indiana community in support of education, economic development, environmental and natural resource protection, and recreation. Indiana University is one of the oldest state universities in the Midwest and also one of the largest universities in the United States, with more than 110,000 students, faculty and staff on eight campuses. IU has a growing national and international reputation in the area of information technology and advanced networking.