OARnet is just one of several advanced research and education (R&E) networks in the United States. Alone, we are able to provide significant services and benefits for the state of Ohio, but when we join forces with other R&E networks, we are able to do great things at a national level. One such organization that facilitates this type of collaboration is The Quilt.
As chairman of the The Quilt’s board of directors, I interact with the organization on an almost-daily basis and am experienced with the intricacies of this powerful national coalition of networks. However, anyone remotely interested in commodity internet and networking can benefit from a basic knowledge of what this group does, and how it provides advanced solutions to more than 200 universities and thousands of other educational institutions across the country.
Here are five things you might not know about The Quilt:
1. The Quilt is a network of networks.
Think of The Quilt as a network of networks – a patchwork of advanced regional research and education networks from across the country, stitched together into a coalition that can influence the national agenda on information technology infrastructure. The Quilt is composed of 36 networks across the country, including OARnet. All members must be non-profit institutions that are based in the United States and provide advanced networking services to education that are “beyond what is normally available on the commodity internet.”
2. The Quilt aggregates buying power to lower costs for everyone.
Just as OARnet uses an aggregate purchasing model to lower internet costs for its members, The Quilt leverages the buying power of its member networks to advocate for better pricing. Through Quilt-negotiated rates, participants have saved more than $254 million on commodity internet services since 2002.
3. The Quilt screens commodity internet vendors for its members.
The Quilt issues a request for proposals for vendors who could provide commodity internet services to its members. The screening and qualification process ensures that vendors meet The Quilt community’s standards:
- They must be willing and able partners in the delivery and development of research and education networks.
- They must be willing to offer discounts that reflect the scale of bandwidth that The Quilt’s members will use.
Through the 2016 RFP process alone, The Quilt community purchased 582 Gbps of committed commodity bandwidth from approved providers.
4. Members can receive continuous professional development through The Quilt.
In addition to its annual fall and winter member meetings, The Quilt offers workshops throughout the year on topics such as research and education, video collaboration, and events for CEOs and managers. The Quilt also offers cross promotion of its member organizations’ events, thereby increasing its members’ potential audiences.
5. Our news is their news.
The Quilt shares press releases, case studies, and blogs by and for its member institutions. So, many OARnet stories you see on our website are also being seen on The Quilt’s website and in its internal newsletter by stakeholders around the country so we can share ideas and resources. The Quilt also offers a live Twitter feed of its member organizations on its website. Check out stories from around the country here: http://www.thequilt.net/news/quilt-member-news/.
