National Knowledge Network: Features and Services

National Knowledge Network: Features and Services

Question : The government is in the process of extending India’s National Knowledge Network/NKN to SAARC countries in order to enhance cooperation in the field of education, according to a recent announcement by MEA. Discuss the main features and services provided by NKN.

Salient Features

• National Knowledge Network is a state of the art multi gigabit network across India for the provision of a unified high speed network framework for knowledge related institutions in the country

• NKN focuses on live consultations as well as data and resource sharing

• Connection through a high broadband speed network is provided by NKN

• NKN comprises ultra high speed CORE(multiples of 10 Gbps) complemented with distribution level at relevant speeds

• Participating institutes connect to the NKN at speeds of 1 Gbps or more

• Network is designed to support the following:
- Overlay Networks,
- Dedicated Networks, and
- Virtual Networks

• An integral part of NKN are advanced applications in the following areas:
- Health,
- Education,
- Science & Technology,
- Grid Computing,
- Bio informatics,
- Agriculture, and
- Governance
• The complete network seamlessly integrated the international scientific community at fast communication speeds.

• The knowledge network is aimed to create quality institutions with research facilities and pool of highly trained persons

• It provides robust, dependable connectivity and high level of scalability as well as top bandwidth capacity

• Main services of NKN are as follows:

Generic Services:

• Internet,
• Intranet,
• Network Management Views,
• e-Mail,
• Messaging Gateways,
• Caching Gateways,
• Domain Name System,
• Web Hosting,
• Voice over IP,
• Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) Services,
• Video Portals,
• SMS Gateway,
• Co- Location Services,
• Video Streaming

Community Services:

• Shared Storage,
• e-Mail List Software Application (LISTSERV),
• Authentication Service,
• EVO,
• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP),

Collaboration Service:

• Content Delivery Service,
• International Collaborations with EU-India Grid,
• Global Ring Network for Advanced Applications Development (GLORIAD)
• Special Services:
• Virtual Private Network Stitching Services (VPN@L2 [Virtual Private Wire Service / Virtual Private LAN Service], VPN@L3)

Facts and Stats

About NKN
• NKN will be extended for all SAARC nations to allow students to access networking sources and digital libraries without any difficulty

• Modern means of communication will boost the prospects of the people of South Asia

About SAU

• The announcement was made at the launch of the South Asian International University/ SAU sponsored by 8 member states of SAARC

• SAU is the first international university in India

• Degrees obtained by SAU students are valid in all SAARC countries