MaineREN is a facilities-based Regional Optical Network (RON) servicing Maine’s Research & Education community.

Overview

MaineREN was created by the University of Maine System to deliver the cyberinfrastructure necessary to participate in, and be considered for, high-technology research. As the National Science Foundation has made the ability to demonstrate appropriate levels of Cyberinfrastructure a requirement for funding, it is crucial for Maine’s ability to attract and retain this high-technology research that our institutions have access to the national and international R&E community though a facilities-based RON.

This effort is similar to other regional networks throughout the United States.

Participation

Here is a listing of some of the institutions that are connected through MaineREN.

Higher Education

• Bates College
• Bowdoin College
• Colby College
• College of the Atlantic
• Maine Maritime Academy
• Thomas College
• Unity College
• University of Maine
• University of Maine at Augusta
• University of Maine at Farmington
• University of Maine at Fort Kent
• University of Maine at Machias
• University of Maine at Presque Isle
• University of Southern Maine

Research

• The Jackson Laboratory
• Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory
• DownEast Institute
• Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences

Maine School and Library Network

• 99% of Maine’s K12 schools
• Majority of Maine’s public libraries

Other

• Maine Public
• State of Maine Government
• Town of Bar Harbor
• City of Ellsworth
• Town of Farmington
• Town of Orono
• City of Waterville
• Hancock County

MaineREN is connected to Internet2® through Albany, NY and the Northern Crossroads GigaPOP in Cambridge, MA with a current operational capacity of 20 Gbps dedicated to R&E connectivity.