Internet2 

Internet2 is a not-for-profit advanced networking consortium. A community providing a secure high-speed network, cloud solutions, research support, and services tailored for research and education. The Internet2 community includes higher education, research institutions, government entities, corporations and cultural organizations. Internet2 is a not-for-profit organization.

The Internet2 community is comprised of more than 320 higher education members in cooperation with over 50 leading industry members, 60 government agencies, laboratories and other institutions of higher learning, over 40 regional and state research and education networks and more than 100 national research and education networking organizations representing over 50 countries. 

Internet2 works to support members as they meet the challenges of cyberinfrastructure that are increasingly central to innovation in research and education. 

• Primary uses of Internet2 for research and education:
  Create a leading edge network capability for the national research community 
• Enable revolutionary Internet applications 
• Ensure the rapid transfer new network services and applications to the broader Internet community. 

The broader Internet2 community comprises international networking organizations representing more than 100 countries and research networks connections, and state and educational networks connecting more than 80,000 community anchor institutions across the United States. Internet2 works to support members as they meet the challenges of cyberinfrastructure that are increasingly central to innovation in research and education. 

North Dakota's Internet2 Membership

• North Dakota State University (member since 1996) 
• University of North Dakota (member since 1996) 

North Dakota's State Network is operated by the North Dakota Information Technology department.  The State Technology Access for Government and Education network (STAGEnet) provides connectivity for our primary and sponsored participants. 

In addition, several organizations and education groups are sponsored by NDSU and UND under their Internet2 membership agreements: 

Sponsored Education Group Participants (SEGP) 

• North Dakota University System - including the campuses of Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, Dickinson State University, Lake Region State College, Mayville State University, Minot State University, North Dakota State College of Science, Valley City State University, Williston State College 
• Tribal Colleges and Universities in North Dakota
• North Dakota K-12 Schools 

Sponsored Participants 

• EduTech Information Technology

Northern Tier Network Consortium 

This regional network initiative provides a robust research network connection for educational institutions in the upper-northwestern states by creating a national backbone route across the northern U.S. - the Northern Tier. NDSU serves as administrative and fiscal agent for the Northern Tier Network-North Dakota segment. 

The Northern Tier Networking Consortium seeks to develop and sustain advanced networking capabilities in order to support the educational, research, and economic vitality of the Northern Tier region. 

Membership currently includes higher education institutions, research centers and other regional networks from the states of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

STAGEnet 

The North Dakota Statewide Technology Access for Government and Education network (STAGEnet) was created by the 1999 legislative session. STAGEnet is operated by the North Dakota Information Technology Department. STAGEnet provides broadband connectivity, Internet access, video conferencing and other networking services. All state agencies, colleges and universities, local government, and K-12 are required to participate in STAGEnet. 

STAGEnet is governed as a partnership between government and education. The governance structure consists of three committees. The Executive, Management and Technical committees include representatives from state and local government, K-12, colleges and universities, interactive video network, and voice communication. These committees aid in planning, prioritizing, approving standards and policies, making service level decisions, coordinating among constituencies, communicating, and identifying and providing resources. 

The ultimate decision making authority regarding STAGEnet is the lawful responsibility of the North Dakota State CIO as directed in the North Dakota Century Code Chapter 54-59-02.

Internet2: Community Anchor Program (CAP)

The mission of Internet2's CAP project is to provide a community-driven program that focuses on expanding access to advanced broadband services and puts them to work to increase educational opportunities for everyone. CAP works with 46 state and regional research and education (R&E) network partners to develop, adopt, and deploy network-enabled applications and services across community anchor institutions nationwide. 

Over 80,000 Community Anchor Institutions engage in CAP efforts. These institutions include K-12 schools, public libraries, colleges and universities, health care facilities, museums, and other cultural and historic organizations.