Giving Schools Network Connectivity into AWS Direct Connect

NJEdge has built a state-wide fiber optic research and education network that is available to all NJEdge member schools. In collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), member institutions can now leverage existing NJEdge connections, or create new ones, and use AWS Direct Connect at a significantly reduced expense to connect to private AWS resources. NJEdge, a Research and Education Network (REN), is dedicated to creating a better world by providing statewide advanced networking, access to optimal technology solutions and services, and insight and expertise in information technologies.

This represents a significant milestone for NJEdge, allowing its members, faculty, and students at NJEdge member schools to have access to AWS tools and services for educational purposes. This means that faculty and students can now quickly and efficiently use cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies. The improved access to data brings technology into the hands of the individual school for operational improvement.

“This collaboration with Amazon Web Services is a win for NJEdge and, more importantly, our member schools. Members will now have full and direct access to the many technologies that are rapidly developing, or have yet to be developed, as well as the many innovative services and products available from AWS,” said Dr. Samuel Conn, President and CEO of NJEdge.

This is particularly important to those from underserved and disadvantaged populations because AWS DirectConnect provides cost-effective access to AWS’s advanced compute and storage infrastructure via NJEdge’s high-performance research and education network. For more information on this new alliance, please visit https://njedge.net/solutions/edgemarket/.

Establish a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS

Using AWS Direct Connect, the member institutions can establish private connectivity between AWS and their datacenter, campus, or colocation environment, which in many cases can reduce network costs, increase bandwidth throughput, and provide a more consistent network experience than Internet-based connections. This service allows customers to extend their datacenter into AWS and access private resources such as Amazon EC2, Amazon RDS, and VMware Cloud on AWS.

“Research and education networks can help member schools achieve better network performance at lower bandwidth costs using AWS Direct Connect, regardless of their geographic location,” said Andrew Ko, Global Director of Education for AWS. “This levels the playing field for school districts and higher education institutions by providing equitable access to innovative technology statewide. Customers pay only for the services they use, delivering the security they need at a lower cost than in an on-premises environment.”

In this video, learn how to establish a dedicated network connection from your premises to AWS with AWS Direct Connect and how to reduce networking costs while increasing throughput.

And hear from Harvard University on how they successfully use AWS Direct Connect to improve scalable cloud network security in this video.