Partners
CEN’s work is strengthened through strategic partnerships that expand connectivity, innovation, and opportunity across Connecticut. By collaborating with state agencies, national research and education networks, technology providers, and peer organizations, CEN delivers resilient, high-performance network services and advances shared goals in education, research, and public service. Together, these partnerships enable CEN to serve its members more effectively and support a connected future for the state.
Our Members
Our biggest partner is our members. CEN is a member driven organization that values the partnership and human network that connects all of us. Our Vision, Mission, Values and Advisory Councils put the member first in all equations and ultimately drives the unparalleled value we seek to provide to all our members.
Primary Partners
DAS
CT Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is the program owner for CEN and supports the activities of the staff to fulfill our mission and vision. DAS brings the weight of the State of Connecticut to the table and provides thought leadership and oversight to CEN via the Commission for Educational Technology (CET). DAS and UConn’s CIO’s serve as trusted advisors to CEN helping provide advice and council to CEN’s direction and activities.
State of Connecticut Public Safety Data Network
CEN has partnered with The Public Safety Data Network (PSDN) which is an ultra-high-speed fiber optic data network that serves as a dedicated transport infrastructure and interconnectivity pathway for public safety and government applications and services throughout the state. The network consists of approximately 8,800 miles of dark fiber connecting 515 nodes or Points of Interest (POIs) and is designed with the highest level of redundancy. This network connects the 110 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Connecticut that provide the 911 Emergency Answering service to the citizens of the state as well as State and local Police departments.
UConn
UConn is the program operator of CEN and the ties run deep and back to the inception of CEN in the year 2000. Through UConn, CEN participates in regional and national collaborative efforts like NEREN, the Quilt, and Internet2 amongst others. More specifically to the University’s mission and vision, UConn’s partnership with CEN enables UConn to meet the diverse needs of its community – from streaming content in a residential hall to performing data-intensive research – by delivering reliable, high capacity, high-speed internet.
Infrastructure & Network Partners
NEREN
CEN has partnered with NEREN (Northeast Research and Education Network) which is a consortium of non-profit organizations that provide a fiber-optic network connecting and unifying the research and education communities in New York and New England. NEREN securely enables some of the most prestigious universities in the world to explore the global resources that utilize ultra-broadband applications.
The Quilt
CEN is a member of The Quilt, a nonprofit national coalition of 36 of our country’s most advanced regional research and education networks. Participants in The Quilt provide and access advanced network services and applications promoted to thousands of educational institutions, including over 250 universities.
SHLB
CEN belongs to the The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition, the national advocacy association dedicated to ensuring access to the Internet community anchor institutions. The SHLB staff and members promote changes that support E-rate, Rural Health Care, and other funding programs to ensure that learning and healthcare institutions have open, affordable, high-quality bandwidth for the future.
Technology Partners
Cisco
BLURB
Internet2
CEN and Internet2 are committed to promoting the development and deployment of advanced internet applications and network services in the conduct of research and education. CEN members can take full advantage of this collaboration as CEN leverage’s Internet2 to expand the CEN network reach nationally and internationally.
GlobalNoc
CEN has partnered with The Global Research Network Operations Center at Indiana University to provide carrier-grade operations, tools and network expertise placing a dedicated focus on serving the unique requirements of the research and education (R&E) community.
Escalation Matrix: Helpdesk and Network Operations Support.pdf
CEN utilizes a number of methods to ensure it is is well aligned with the need of our connected members, and continues to provide value to services and content they desire.
CEN is Governed by the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. This Commission is the principal educational technology advisor for state government comprised of a diverse set of state and local leaders, from both private and public sector, and are representative of CEN’s diverse connected member base.
CEN is a member driven organization. As such, CEN maintains advisory councils co-chaired and comprised of its members and includes public and private sector leaders, to provide advice and counsel regarding services, programs, technical advancement, engagement, and outreach activities.
Governance
Services Management Advisory Council (SMAC) – Provides advice and recommendations to CEN staff on matters related to existing and new services, addressing issues such as quality, cost, and adoption. The greater member community is encouraged to provide feedback to ensure service quality.
Engagement & Development Advisory Council (EDAC) – Provides leadership and insight for the development and delivery of technical, professional, and leadership info, training, and seminars for CEN members. The EDAC is responsible for the development of the Annual Member Conference program.
