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Tech boosts research, cyber capabilities with new Science DMZ network
From left: David Hales, assistant director for network operations, Susmit Shannigrahi, assistant professor of computer science, and Joseph C. Slater, dean of the College of Engineering, press a button which opens the Science DMZ by starting a data transfer into the DMZ.
Tennessee Tech University has further enhanced its research and data capabilities
with the launch of its new Science DMZ, a sophisticated network that makes it easier
to quickly and securely transfer data and collaborate with researchers around the
world.
The unveiling of the network comes as Tech recently announced an all-time record for externally-funded research – topping $36.3 million during the last fiscal year
– and as Tech has gained national recognition as a cyber leader, including being recognized
as a center of academic excellence in cybersecurity by the National Security Agency.
“This is a critical piece of our campus network infrastructure that will help us accelerate
research and discovery here at Tennessee Tech,” said David Hales, assistant director
for network operations at Tech, in remarks at the Science DMZ’s unveiling. “The Science
DMZ will improve the performance of scientific applications by minimizing network
latency, delay and jitter. By creating isolated networks for research, the Science
DMZ can increase the security of our research data and provide tailored security solutions
to preserve performance while preventing any negative impacts to the security of the
existing campus network.”
Tech’s Cybersecurity Education, Research and Outreach Center (CEROC) helped facilitate
a two-year $276,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for the Science DMZ.
CEROC has partnered with Tech’s computer science department to provide continued support
for the project. The university’s College of Engineering has undertaken the responsibility
of covering the operational expenses for the research network.
Susmit Shannigrahi and Mike Rogers, assistant professor and associate professor, respectively,
in the computer science department at Tech, serve as principal investigators for the
Science DMZ. Shannigrahi calls it the “core” of Tech’s growing research infrastructure.
“When you look at all of the research infrastructure that we have now, and then the
research infrastructure that we are going to build in the future, this would act as
the core,” said Shannigrahi. “It will make collaboration with the rest of the research
community a lot easier, both nationally and internationally."
Cutting the ribbon for the opening of Tennessee Tech’s Science DMZ research network
are, from left, Susmit Shannigrahi, assistant professor of computer science; Carl
Pinkert, interim vice president for research; Lori Mann Bruce, provost; Gerald Gannod,
chair of the computer science department; Joseph C. Slater, dean of the College of
Engineering; Philip Oldham, president of Tennessee Tech; and David Hales, information
technology services assistant director for network operations.
Mike Renfro, high performance computing systems administrator at Tech, says the Science
DMZ can deliver benefits for every academic and research department on campus.
“If there are needs for moving large amounts of data, or having collaboration with
outside entities or needing to safely connect equipment – any department on campus
could potentially use this,” said Renfro.
With Tech recognized as an R2 doctoral, high-research activity university by the Carnegie
national classification system, Shannigrahi says the Science DMZ will further accelerate
the university’s research capabilities.
“As the Science DMZ gains momentum, it will foster collaborations not only within
the university but also with external partners, enabling seamless data sharing and
joint research endeavors,” said Shannigrahi. “This will strengthen Tech’s position
as a leading hub for cutting-edge research and innovation, attracting top talent and
driving transformative discoveries.”
Learn more about research at Tech by visiting www.tntech.edu/research.
