Successful conclusion of the project Digitalisation for Open Science – establishing the backbone network
The recently concluded project “Digitalisation for Open Science – establishing the backbone network” through the upgrading of the optic backbone of the Arnes network is a major contribution to the development of a modern, accessible and competitive research and education environment, in which progress can be based on science and also connections between research institutions.
Greater reliability of operation and a basis for connections up to 800 Gb/s
The completed modernisation of the Arnes optic backbone for public organisations represents a major contribution in the form of even more stable operation of long-distance optic connections and a higher level of reliability of operation, and now with two-fibre connections it is an ideal basis for setting up new, significantly faster connections between the Arnes network hubs, with speeds of 100 Gb/s to 400 Gb/s and a readiness for new technologies with speeds up to 800 Gb/s.
40 new long-distance connections
Recovery and Resilience Plan funds were used to set up 40 new long-distance connections between Arnes network hubs, with installation provided by various fibre optic suppliers. All the hubs are now connected to optic loops, and their operation is significantly more resilient to potential interruptions of individual long-distance connections.
Major importance for Slovenia in the international research environment
The project Digitalisation for Open Science – establishing the backbone network offers redundancy, greater reliability and capacity of the Arnes backbone network, and it also contributes to the greater visibility of Slovenia in the international research environment, since in the wider context through the GÉANT hub in Ljubljana there is scope for more powerful connections for numerous international scientific and research projects. Alongside organisations operating in the fields of education and the arts, the new connections link up all the Slovenian public research organisations.
Arnes has implemented the aims of the Recovery and Resilience Plan through the public contract for the purchase of indefeasible right of use, which constitutes an irreversible right of use to the purchased fibre optics for a period of 15 years.
Lower costs and an important contribution to the digital transition
The Arnes community is especially pleased that the successfully concluded project as a whole, together with the economic effect in the form of optimising costs of maintaining the network and its technical advancements, contributes to the comprehensive digital transition in the area of research in Slovenia.
The project was placed in the Recovery and Resilience Plan cofinanced by the European Union (NextGenerationEU) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation as part of the Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All information on implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Načrt za okrevanje in odpornost or NOO) in Slovenia can be found at noo.gov.si.