ARE-ON Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is ARE-ON?
ARE-ON (Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network) is an economic development initiative represented by a high speed fiber-based optical network wholly owned and operated by the Arkansas higher education community.  The best way to describe ARE-ON is to clearly define what ARE- ON is and what ARE-ON is not.  ARE-ON is a collaborative environment that empowers each institution to leverage the unique and agile capabilities of high performance networking and computing for RESEARCH, EDUCATION, TELEMEDICINE, and EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

What ARE-ON is NOT
ARE-ON is not a commercial Internet Service provider designed to compete with existing or future providers of such services as e-mail, browser searches, voice services, or pay-per-view video services.  Research and Education (R&E) networks do not serve personal homes, businesses, or any organization that is not directly engaged in the research or academic programs directly affiliated with higher education institutions in Arkansas.

Who can be a member institution?
Organizations operating through founding institutions may apply for either Associate or Affiliate ARE-ON memberships.

Who are the ARE-ON member institutions?
All comprehensive four-year public universities in Arkansas

What does ARE-ON provide to member institutions?
Access to state, national, and international high speed networks and high performance computing resources for the purposes of supporting research and education applications 

What is the Business Structure and Governance?
ARE-ON is a state entity governed by the chancellors and presidents of participating institutions, in cooperation with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.  ARE-ON includes a Board of Directors as the governing body, an Executive Director and Management Council as the day-to-day operational body, and a Steering Committee as the technical advisory body.  

What role does ARE-ON play in the State Cyberinfrastructure Plan?
ARE-ON connects cyberinfrastructure initiative partners in research and education.  ARE-ON has no connection to statewide broadband initiatives other than strong philosophical agreement and willingness to assist on a strategic level.

How does ARE-ON relate to other Regional Optical Networks?
In order to keep pace with the demand for better access, more personalized research and teaching methodologies, and a truly global set of shared tools, Research and Education (R&E) networks have become an important resource for higher education.  ARE-ON is the R&E network organization designed to serve the four year public postsecondary institutions in the Natural State.  ARE-ON provides local, state, regional, national, and international connectivity to the National LambdaRail and Internet2 organizations.  These two high speed networks provide an extremely important platform upon which researchers create and innovate through access to highly specialized facilities and personnel otherwise unavailable.  In addition, both networks support classroom education through special programs and access to educational activities, individuals and organizations otherwise unavailable to students in smaller institutions and geographically remote areas.

What is the relationship of ARE-ON to the State Department of Information Services (DIS)?
DIS serves state agencies providing utility network services…..ARE-ON serves higher education providing high speed networking and high performance computing resources.

How does a non-higher education research project get involved with ARE-ON?
Through partnerships with ARE-ON founding member institutions as an Associate (non-voting, long-term user of ARE-ON resources for research/education purposes), or as an Affiliate (non-voting, short-term user of ARE-ON resources for research/education purposes).

What is the future of ARE-ON?
The future of higher education rests squarely upon the shoulders of innovative researchers and classroom educators working in close collaboration with an information-hungry student population. This increasingly diverse population of global learners is redefining both the context and content of teaching and learning.  ARE-ON will continue to evolve through the leadership of the Board of Directors and the applications developed by member institutions.