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National initiatives in e-Research

Platforms for Collaboration (PfC) is an Australian Government initiative that 'will allow researchers to work seamlessly from desk to desk within and between organisations. Seamless access to collaborative research opportunities, knowledge and information will enable researchers to perform their research more creatively, efficiently and collaboratively across long distances, regardless of location and time, and disseminate their research outcomes with greater effect.'

The Australian Research Collaboration Service (ARCS) aims to 'provide long-term eResearch support services for the Australian research community with a particular focus on interoperability and collaboration infrastructure, tools, services and support'. ARCS is partly funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) through Platforms for Collaboration (PfC).

UniSA is participating in e-research initiatives such as federated access management, web single sign-on, access grid and videoconferencing systems, and multicast networking technologies.

 

eduroam

eduroameduroam is a world wide education roaming service now available at UniSA. eduroam provides a secure wireless connection for staff, students and visitors.

Being part of eduroam allows you to visit a participating institution and connect to the internet the same way you do on campus - all without having to request a guest account. More information and how to use eduroam at UniSA


arrow@UniSA

arrow@unisaarrow@UniSA is a new digital archive showcasing the University of South Australia's research and intellectual output to the world and provides a comprehensive picture of the breadth and diversity of research at UniSA.

arrow@UniSA is a secure, online repository where all UniSA Researchers can submit their completed works. As part of the national arrow project, research housed in arrow@UniSA becomes more visible to the world at large, and helps to increase UniSA's research profile and impact.

arrow@UniSA aims to provide long term access to all deposited content and to apply best practices for data management and digital preservation but also acknowledges the inherent challenges involved in preserving digital content.


AARNet

AARNetThe University of South Australia is a shareholder in Australia's Academic and Research Network (AARNet). The latest generation of AARNet, AARNet3, will provide a 10 gigabyte per second transmission service to all capital cities (except Darwin and Hobart). AARNet brings high speed capacity to Adelaide.


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Australian Technology Network

The Australian Technology Network (ATN) successfully applied to the ARC e-Research special research initiative fund for an access-grid-enabled graduate colloquium. The postgraduate research colloquium aims stimulate debate, information sharing and networking amongst Australian doctoral students and also with leading international centres. The technology 'enables the exchange of knowledge and ideas between universities, research, health and other organisations and groups across national and international boundaries.' 

This initiative and the establishment of the ATN Challenge research program indicates the importance of linking the network through a fully operational access grid as soon as possible to enhance collaboration.


SABRENet

sabrenetUniSA is a partner, along with Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, the South Australian Government, CSIRO and DSTO, in SABRENet. SABRENet carries the network infrastructure provided by AARNet further and provides high speed broadband capacity to important research sites in Adelaide.

SABRENet provides researchers with high speed connectivity and the ability to handle large volumes of data. SABRENet also enables South Australian researchers to connect to national and international research networks. Research and education sites linked to SABRENet:


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SAPAC

sapacUniSA is also a member of the South Australian Partnership for Advanced Computing (SAPAC) which provides UniSA researchers with access to advanced high performance computing and communications infrastructure. SAPAC serves as the vehicle for cooperation between the activities of APAC and South Australia.

Hydra, SAPACs main general purpose supercomputer is now the third fastest computer in Australia. This high capability network infrastructure is now in place to facilitate UniSA's increasing engagement in e-Research.


South Australian Virtual Reality Centre

UniSA, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Curtin University, and industry and government partners have collaborated to establish a state-of-the-art 3D visualisation facility - the South Australian Virtual Reality Centre (SAVRC)

The facility, located at the University of Adelaide with nodes at the other sites, has the potential to make a big impact on the way research and teaching is conducted. The facility has three rear-projection screens, an intelligent whiteboard, 'haptic' capacity (the ability to recognise the sense of touch), and can link up with the international access grid system, allowing visual- and audio-based remote collaboration with more than 250 universities around the world.


Access grid nodes

Through a financial commitment from the University and Commonwealth funding through the Capital Development Pool, UniSA is now establishing access grid nodes. Access grid nodes are conferencing spaces that contain the audio and visual technology need to provide high quality collaborative interactions at a distance.

Access grid nodes offer many benefits, one of them being the opportunity to facilitate collaborative research with national and international partners. The opportunity to collaborate at a distance offers particular benefits to research networks where multiple partners are involved across Australia. The University's involvement in Cooperative Research Centres, ARC Networks and the ATN Challenge make this technology particularly advantageous.

 

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