LONI Guiding Principles

Goals

1. Near-term – (Year 1 and 2)

• a. establish and sustain the Louisiana Optical Network infrastructure
• b. establish and sustain the Louisiana Grid Computing infrastructure
• c. empower the postsecondary education research community to leverage the LONI infrastructure in association with the National LambdaRail network
• d. utilize LONI infrastructure to form collaborative relationships with business, contribute to science, and create jobs
• e. establish collaborative relationships with all appropriate stakeholders on a state, national , and international scale to ensure an environment focused upon common derived benefit from research tools and products resulting from the LONI investment
• f. create a long-term funding strategy designed to expand the LONI infrastructure
• g. where appropriate, utilize LONI infrastructure for research, and educational/Telemedicine/Telehealth as funding is available

2. Long-term – (Year 3 and beyond)

• a. increase the economic benefits of high speed and Grid computing as shared resources in Louisiana
• b. increase computing resource support to all postsecondary institutions
• c. create a comprehensive bandwidth strategy for higher education in collaboration with state agencies, and bandwidth providers

Governance

Strategic direction of LONI is the responsibility of the Louisiana Board of Regents. All strategic policies and procedural directions must be approved by the Board. The Board of Regents will establish the LONI Management Council, and charge the Council to manage day to day operational events and associated business activities of LONI.

Management

The LONI Management Council will have operational responsibility for the oversight of the LONI infrastructure and personnel deployed to accomplish the strategic and operational goals of the organization in support of scientific endeavors. The Management Council will develop, and recommend operational policies, and procedures for the daily activities of LONI. These policies and procedures will include, but are not limited to hiring LONI technical and administrative personnel, and entering into contracts on behalf of the LONI.

LONI Network Operations

The LONI network operations will be managed according to the recommendations developed by the LONI Management Council, and approved by the Board of Regents.

Funding

LONI is a Louisiana Board of Regents project funded by state appropriations, member institution contributions, and grant awards.