NETWORKS
Internet2 IDEA Awards to recognize revolutionary uses of advanced networking
Level 3 Communications sponsors new award category recognizing cutting-edge optical networking applications: Internet2 and Level 3 Communications today announced a new category for the Internet2 Driving Exemplary Applications (IDEA) Awards program. The new "Wave of the Future" category was unveiled earlier this month at Internet2's fall member meeting to recognize innovators who are developing and deploying advanced applications that specifically require or make use of a dedicated optical circuit with capacities up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). 
Open to existing or proposed applications, the Internet2 IDEA awards are designed to showcase projects that apply the latest in advanced networking capabilities to enable transformational progress in research, to enhance teaching and learning, and to potentially increase the impact of next-generation networks around the world. Through sponsorship provided by Level 3, the winning submission in the "Wave of the Future" category will receive a dedicated, point-to-point optical circuit of up to 10 Gbps on the new Internet2 network infrastructure between two connector sites for a one year period. The circuit will be provided specifically to support and enable the award-winning project. "As new technologies spawn innovation, the new capabilities of the Internet2 network infrastructure will open the door to new ways of thinking about advanced applications," said Ray Ford, chief information and technology officer at the University of Montana and new chair of the Internet2 Applications, Middleware & Services Advisory Council (AMSAC). "The new IDEA award category recognizes those in our community whose imaginations allow them to embrace something never-before tried, and turn it into the next thing our community can't imagine living without." "Level 3 is pleased to be an integral part of the dramatic advances in networking that the Internet2 community is making," said Jack Waters, chief technology officer of Level 3. "We are proud to help enable the process of innovation, and we believe the 'Wave of the Future' award will serve as a springboard for the winning organizations to make additional important strides in technology." Internet2 IDEA Award submissions are judged by a panel of leaders from the Internet2 community on the following criteria:
Open to existing or proposed applications, the Internet2 IDEA awards are designed to showcase projects that apply the latest in advanced networking capabilities to enable transformational progress in research, to enhance teaching and learning, and to potentially increase the impact of next-generation networks around the world. Through sponsorship provided by Level 3, the winning submission in the "Wave of the Future" category will receive a dedicated, point-to-point optical circuit of up to 10 Gbps on the new Internet2 network infrastructure between two connector sites for a one year period. The circuit will be provided specifically to support and enable the award-winning project. "As new technologies spawn innovation, the new capabilities of the Internet2 network infrastructure will open the door to new ways of thinking about advanced applications," said Ray Ford, chief information and technology officer at the University of Montana and new chair of the Internet2 Applications, Middleware & Services Advisory Council (AMSAC). "The new IDEA award category recognizes those in our community whose imaginations allow them to embrace something never-before tried, and turn it into the next thing our community can't imagine living without." "Level 3 is pleased to be an integral part of the dramatic advances in networking that the Internet2 community is making," said Jack Waters, chief technology officer of Level 3. "We are proud to help enable the process of innovation, and we believe the 'Wave of the Future' award will serve as a springboard for the winning organizations to make additional important strides in technology." Internet2 IDEA Award submissions are judged by a panel of leaders from the Internet2 community on the following criteria:
- Magnitude of the positive impact of the application for its current users
- Technical merit of the application
- Breadth of impact, as indicated by current user base, and likelihood of broader adoption by its full natural community of potential users
Additionally, submissions must have had a positive impact in one or more of the following areas:
- Innovation in Research
- Advances in Teaching & Learning
- Scientific Discovery
- Global Collaboration
Entries may be submitted by an individual affiliated with any Internet2 non-profit member, a Sponsored Educational Group Participant, or a Sponsored non-profit Participant. Additional submission details will be available during November 2007. Winners will be recognized at the Spring 2008 Internet2 Member Meeting. More information about the Internet2 IDEA Awards is available at its Web site.