IRON and Internet2

The Idaho Regional Optical Network (IRON) is Idaho’s Internet2 Community Anchor Program Sponsor. The Sponsor enables access to Internet2 for Idaho’s colleges and universities, which is critical for collaborative projects that utilize advanced networking infrastructure and services.

The Sponsor also provides connectivity to Internet2 for eligible entities in Idaho such as K-12 institutions, public libraries, museums, tribal organizations, non-profit healthcare providers, public safety agencies, government entities, and more.

The Internet2 community: enabling the future

Internet2 is a member-driven advanced technology community founded by the nation’s leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 provides a collaborative environment where US research and education organizations can solve common technology challenges and develop innovative solutions in support of their educational, research and community service missions. The Internet2 community touches nearly every major innovation that defines our modern digital lives—and continues to define “what’s next.”

Internet2 operates the nation’s largest and fastest, coast-to-coast research and education network.  The network was built to deliver advanced, customized services that are accessed and secured by a community-developed trust and identity framework. Internet2 serves 317 U.S. universities, 60 government agencies, 43 regional and state education networks and through them supports more than 100,000 community anchor institutions. Close to 1,000 InCommon participants, and 59 leading corporations work with our community. More than 70 national research and education network partners represent more than 100 countries.

An unparalleled community

Internet2 comprises*:

Internet2 is a not-for-profit organization governed by an executive Board of Trustees representing our diverse membership. Program Advisory Groups, also made up of community leaders, offer critical feedback and help set our direction.

A commitment to advancing research and education

The commercial Internet we know today was shaped by the vision and work of the people and organizations in the Internet2 community—collaborating within research and education (R&E) environments that removed the barriers to discovery. The technologies developed and leveraged by this community not only advance R&E, but accelerate discoveries across the globe and have lasting impacts on the quality of human life. From the makeup of the universe, to cancer cures, to climate change and beyond, their efforts influence commerce, science, sports, education, news and medicine.

Internet2 Community Anchor Program (CAP)

The Internet2 Community Anchor Program (CAP) enables community anchor institutions (CAIs) within a state to connect to Internet2 in support of collaborative projects designed to develop or use advanced applications or further the deployment and use of advanced networking capabilities. Being part of the CAP within a state allows eligible CAIs to use the Internet2 network, but the CAIs are not regular members of Internet2.

Examples of CAI’s that are eligible to connect through CAP include K-12 institutions; public libraries; community, vocational or technical colleges; baccalaureate colleges and universities; museums, or other non-university related educational, cultural, or public institutions within the same state; tribal organizations and related anchors; healthcare providers; public safety agencies; government entities; and any other entity agreed upon in writing by the state’s Community Anchor Program sponsors and Internet2.

Internet2 CAI’s are connected through an Internet2 Network Connector and are overseen by a CAP Sponsor – regional research and education networks such as IRON, and Connectors, telehealth networks, state-wide education networks, community college networks, and similar collectives of research and education organizations. These networks are engaged in applications development and other projects designed to enhance their use of advanced networking infrastructure and services.