Since organizations wishing to join SEGP must go through Abilene, the "Frequently Asked Questions about Sponsored Participation in Abilene (Individual Institutions and Sponsored Educational Groups)" (www.internet2.edu/abilene/html/faq-sponsored.html) clarifies SEGPs relationship with Abilene. It is important to keep in mind that SEGPs are participants, not members. There is also information on the Sponsored Individual Institution participation, as well as information relating to other topics. The questions it answers are:

• What is an Abilene Participant? (See Sponsored Education Groups under this question)
• How do Internet2 members become Abilene [Primary] Participants? (Clarification only; SEGP institutions are not Abilene Primary Participants)
• How does Participation differ from Membership? (Does not apply to SEGPs)
• Questions about Sponsored Individual Institution (SII) participation (does not apply)
• QUESTIONS ABOUT SPONSORED EDUCATIONAL GROUP PARTICIPATION

  -What is a Sponsored Educational Group Participant (SEGP)
  -What does becoming a SEGP provide?
  -What is the relationship of SEGPs to Internet2?
  -What difference will the connection to Abilene provide to the average school?
  -Who can sponsor a Sponsored Educational Group Participant?
  -Can more than one Regular (University) Member of Internet2 in the same state sponsor a Sponsored Educational Group Participant?
  -What is the process for adding a Sponsored Educational Group Participant to Abilene?
  -How is a Sponsored Educational Group Participant different than a Sponsored Individual Institution Participant?
  -What are the costs associated with Sponsored Educational Group Participation and who pays them?
  -Can the Connectors apply E-rate to this fee?
  -Can an Abilene Connector support more than one Sponsored Educational Group Participant?
  -What are the responsibilities of the sponsor?
  -What are the increased technical requirements for Abilene connectors supporting one or more Sponsored Educational Group Participants?
  -Are there any requirements of the Sponsored Educational Group Participant?
  -What organizations cannot be covered by Sponsored Educational Group Participation?

The Internet2 FAQ (www.internet2.edu/html/faqs.html# ) provides answers to the following questions:

• What is Internet2?
• Is Internet2 a separate network? Will Internet2 replace the current commercial Internet?
• How will Internet2 benefit current Internet users?
• What kind of technology will be needed to use the advanced Internet applications and technologies?
• Does Internet2 have publicly traded stock?
• What is the relationship between the Next Generation Internet (NGI) Internet2, and other advanced networking initiatives?
• Why are universities taking the lead in Internet2?
• How much is being invested in Internet2 and where is the money coming from?
• What about educational institutions that are not Internet2 members?
• What are some of Internet2's long-term goals?

The Internet2 Membership Information Kit (www.internet2.edu/resources/Internet2_Infokit.PDF) provides information on how to join Internet2. It provides some information not found in the Internet2 FAQ, and also information (not indicated here) specific to Internet2 members. The questions are:

• What is Internet2? What is UCAID?
• What is Abilene?
• What sort of traffic is allowed on Abilene?
• Is Internet2 a separate network? Will Internet2 replace the current commercial Internet?
• How will students, faculty and staff at my institution benefit from joining Internet2?
• What is the general organizational structure of Internet2?
• Why do institutions join Internet2?
• How can I collaborate with others through Internet2?

What does SEGP mean for classrooms?

K-20 classrooms will have access to the latest tools for developing, organizing, and bringing into the classroom customized Web-based learning materials, computer-based learning tools, large amounts of data from databases, and multimedia content from learning centers, national museums and organizations such as the Smithsonian Institution and NASA as well as the ability to cost-effectively employ high-quality interactive and streamed video among teachers, across the state’s classrooms and to classrooms around the nation and the world.

How do I connect to Internet2?

After your institution becomes a participant in the SEGP project and the necessary network changes have occurred, you will automatically use the Internet2 links when connecting to another Internet2 site. You do not do anything special.

What is NSF?

The National Science Foundation awards grants to institutions for science and engineering research and development. NSF created the vBNS (Very High-performance Backbone Network System) network, a high performance network to support these projects.

What is the vBNS?

The vBNS (Very High-performance Backbone Network System) network was created by NSF to support science and engineering projects funded by NSF grants. It was developed in 1995-1996, a few years before Abilene was developed.

What is bandwidth?

Non-technically speaking, bandwidth refers to the amount of data (files, video, audio) that is sent across a network. It can also refer to a minimum, or optimum allocation needed for the transfer of the data based on time and file size. This bandwidth table compares transferring of one megabyte, ten megabytes, and one gigabyte of data at speeds ranging from 9600 baud modem connection to an OC-255 fiber connection.For additional information on bandwidth, see http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/B/bandwidth.html for a definition of bandwidth and some excellent references.