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The University of Michigan's Information Technology Central Services division (ITCS) formed
Merit in 1966 to inter-connect three universities - the University of Michigan,
Michigan State University and Wayne State University - this was the beginning of
the Internet.
From 1987-1995 Merit managed the NSFNET backbone, funded by the National
Science Foundation (NSF), which in the 1990's became know as the "Internet".
Merit Networks, Inc. is now a non-profit organization that provides Internet
Services to the Michigan Educational community. Merit partners with MCI, IBM and
the NSF, and still maintains strong ties to the University of Michigan. Many
other schools must contract with a third party internet service provider (ISP),
while the University of Michigan members benefit through the relationship with
Merit.
Today's Technology on Campus
There are three major fiber optic network rings on campus, connected to each
other and supported by ITCS. These rings rely on the FDDI network protocol, with
transmissions speeds up to 144 mega-bits-per-second. The main campus ring
services the Business School and the other schools and colleges located on the
Main Campus. The Engineering School runs their own network ring called the
Computer Aided Engineering Network (CAEN) on North Campus. The Medical Center
maintains the third connected ring. Our remote Commerce Park facility in
Dearborn, used primarily by Evening MBA students, relies on a sophisticated
system that microwaves data to the Engineering ring, where it is collected by
satellite then wired back to the Business School, all in milliseconds!
The University is committed to research and development of Information
Technology, and offers many opportunities and resources for members to learn to
develop and apply IT solutions. These venues include:
- OIT
The Office of Instructional Technology helps faculty improve
teaching and learning through the application of technology. The staff
consists of experts in the field of instructional design.
- CITI
The Center for Information Technology Integration is an applied
research and development center, established in 1986 by the Regents of the
University of Michigan as part of the Information Technology Central Services
(ITCS). CITI focuses on developing and integrating new computing technologies
into the campus computing environment. Current projects include secure video
conferencing, single signon, smart cards, security/authentication, DCE, mobile
computing, systems performance.
- Media Union/New Media Center/Faculty Exploratory
These campus facilities
bring together resources for interdisciplinary collaboration, integrative
learning and exploration. They serve as state-of-the-art laboratories to
explore instructional media and to create computer based teaching
applications.
Our Future in Information Technology Development
Over 100 Universities are now involved
in the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development, informally
known as the "Internet 2" project. The University of Michigan was a pioneering
partner, and a previous University of Michigan Business School CIS faculty
member and Vice Provost for ITCS is now leading this entire project as President
and CEO - Douglas Van Houweling.
Internet 2 is working to change transmissions from a "best effort" data delivery
system (Ethernet) to a Quality of Service (QoS) model. They are developing a
very high performance backbone network (vBNS) delivering information at 155Mbps.
This will be sponsored by NSF and managed by MCI. Data will be routed through
Giga Pops - sites where multiple organizations come together to obtain high
speed network connectivity from multiple vendors.
Applications include digital libraries with high fidelity audio and video
content, virtual "labs" with remote instrumentation, music instruction with
synchronization of audio and video between sites, and immersion environments -
virtual reality with virtual presence including sights and sounds. Internet 2 is
a multi-million dollar effort that over the next several years will become a
reality - with the University of Michigan at the forefront of this new
technology.
Benefits to Members of Our Community
These efforts serve to:
- Further the University of Michigan's leadership in research and higher
education
- Accelerate new services and applications on the Internet
- Support the infrastructure needed for a truly virtual and dynamic
University of the 21st century.
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