
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2007
Governor Richardson Launches LambdaRail in New Mexico
Saying that “information is power and access to information is also power,” Governor Bill Richardson today launched LambdaRail in New Mexico. National LambdaRail (NLR) is a nationwide networking infrastructure – a very, very high speed next generation of Internet access – that includes leading U.S. research universities and emerging private sector technology companies.
Governor Richardson’s launch of New Mexico’s leg of LambdaRail took place at the University of New Mexico, one of the research university partners in National LambdaRail, along with New Mexico State University and New Mexico Tech.
"As a former Secretary of Energy, I understand how important it is for New Mexico to have high-speed access to the world,” said Governor Richardson. “ It makes us next-door partners with institutions not only in Colorado, Arizona, and Texas, but also with researchers throughout North America, the Far East, and Europe.”
New Mexico’s membership in National LambdaRail ensures that the network will traverse the state, from El Paso through Albuquerque to Denver, with a major point of presence (POP) located in downtown Albuquerque.
“Thanks to the support from Governor Richardson and state lawmakers, New Mexico is now a player in a new global high speed network,” said Terry Yates, UNM Vice President for Research and Economic Development. “LambdaRail makes it happen at the speed of light.”
What it is
Dubbed the “network of networks,” NLR is an 11,000-mile nationwide infrastructure owned by its members, who are also its users. It is the first time the community has owned, controlled and operated all of the network assets. Its primary mission is to serve the research community including academia, government and emerging industry.
NLR has deployed commercial-grade optronics; an 18-site Gigabit Ethernet switched network nationwide — a first; and nine advanced Cisco CRS-1 routers that can serve both the experimental and production needs of the research community.
NLR is for all researchers in all disciplines, especially those working on major science initiatives and network research projects. This allows actual users of the infrastructure to design networks to their needs and specifications including the ability to create, deploy and manage their own leading-edge capabilities.
Members of New Mexico’s LambdaRail Board include five members representing the State of New Mexico: Tom Bowles, Chief Science Advisor for Governor Richardson; Carroll Cagel, Chair, IT Commission; Rick Homans, Cabinet Secretary, Economic Development Department; Arturo Jaramillo, Cabinet Secretary, General Services; and Roy Soto, CIO. Members from the research universities include Terry L. Yates, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, UNM; Barney Maccabe, CIO, UNM; Vimal Chaitanya, Vice President for Research, New Mexico State University; Michael Hites, Vice President for Planning Information Technology and CIO, NMSU; Van Romero, Vice President for Research, New Mexico Tech; and Bob Tacker, IS Director, New Mexico Tech.
www.unm.edu