Internet2
SEGP Projects
ND Projects
To Join SEGP
FAQ

How to Join SEGP

To join SEGP, the group or aggregate that is not a member of Abilene will need to obtain Sponsor(s) and a Connector.

  • A Sponsor must be a University Primary Participant from the same state as the aggregate or group. The Sponsor must agree to sponsor a group that desires to become a SEGP, collaborate with that group, and submit an application to Internet2.
  • The Connector is the network providing connectivity to Abilene. The Connector agrees to provide network access and technical support.

For a Letter of Sponsorship, go to www.ucaid.edu/abilene/html/segpapplication.html. For Frequently Asked Questions about Abilene and joining SEGP, see www.ucaid.edu/abilene/html/faq-sponsored.html. For an example SEGP application see North Dakota's application.

Responsibilities of the SEGP, Sponsor, and Connector

The proposed SEGP partner must:

  • Find a Sponsor and a Connector
  • Agree to follow the Conditions of Use for the Abilene Network. Those conditions are found at www.ucaid.edu/abilene/html/cou.html
  • Be engaged in activities that make use of advanced network services and be able to document a commitment to deploying advanced networking capabilities.

The Sponsor(s) must:

  • Be Primary Participant(s) in the Abilene network
  • Have networks in the same state as the proposed member
  • Take responsibility for ensuring that these institutions are appropriate for sponsorship as a Sponsored Education Group Participant
  • Describe how the Primary Participant is planning to or is already collaborating on applications or projects that would be facilitated by advanced networking with the potential Sponsored Participant.
  • Document the Primary Participant’s commitment towards implementing advanced networking capabilities
  • With the proposed SEGP partner, agree to follow the Conditions of Use for the Abilene Network
  • Agree to inform Abilene in writing if the SEGP no longer meets the Conditions of Use and arrange to have them disconnected from Abilene.
  • Agree to submit to Abilene periodic reports from the Sponsored Education Group Participant about the SEGP’s applications, projects, and other activities involving Internet2, and their progress towards implementing advanced network capabilities.
  • Agree to ensure that the SEGP attaches to Abilene through an identified Connector.
  • Agree to provide Abilene with ongoing information about the SEGP’s means of connection to Abilene, including the name of its Connector.
  • Identify whether any proposed partners are Carnegie Doctoral/Research-Extensive (D/R-E) institutions within the sponsored network that are not eligible to participate in Abilene without first becoming an Internet2 member
  • Complete the “Letter of Sponsorship of a Sponsored Education Group Participant” found at www.ucaid.edu/abilene/html/segpapplication.html. For assistance in completing the Agreement, look at EXHIBIT A that follows the application form and a sample application and exhibit that was completed by North Dakota,                                    

The Connector must:

  • Agree to provide (a) a "Technical Contact" responsible for the resolution of operational problems involving the SEGP’s use of the network and (b) an "Executive Contact" responsible for all other matters.
  • Agree to pay fees due and payable to UCAID
  • Assume fiscal and operational responsibility for the Participant to both UCAID and the Abilene NOC.
  • Maintain a 7x24 Network Operations Center (NOC) accessible to the Abilene NOC
  • Register both the Connector’s and SEGP’s routing information in the Internet2 Routing Registry (I2db)
  • Provide UCAID with a quarterly report on the relative utilization of the Abilene connection by the SEGP(s)
  • Assure compliance with the Abilene CoU by the SEGP(s)
  • Inform the SEGP(s) that Abilene does not provide transit to Internet1
  • Use a distinct origin Autonomous System Number (ASN) so as to distinguish its routing information from that of other participants using the same connection
  • Not use Abilene to transit any intra-state traffic within its own network (in cases where the Sponsored Education Group Participant is multiply homed to Abilene)
  • Take steps to avoid causing Abilene to establish any additional ATM permanent virtual circuits or BGP peerings to the Connector

 

Fees

“Internet2 will charge the Connector for the Sponsored Educational Group Participant an annual fee of $30,000 per connector per state, plus a variable fee of $2,000 times the current number of Congressional representatives for that state.  Sponsored Educational Group Participants may pay fees to the Connector and/or to the sponsoring Internet2 member, where these fees apply to the specific conditions of connection.  Internet2 assesses no fees directly of the Sponsored Educational Group Participant itself.  This fee structure is assessed on an annual basis.

Taken from www.ucaid.edu/abilene/html/faq-sponsored.html