The University’s efforts to develop better Internet broadcasting technology and maintain a vibrant research-based business park were recently bolstered by the Internet network equipment manufacturer Cisco Systems, Inc.
The technology company, based in San Jose, Calif., gave $257,300 to help fund the University’s Internet multicast technology, and entered into a lease agreement for a 6,820-square-foot space in the University’s Riverfront Research Park.
Cisco’s donation is the first installment of a nearly half-million dollar donation to expand the University’s network research efforts. The research park, located on the south bank of the Willamette River, is home to many companies that license, market and develop information technology products derived from University research. Cisco Systems, Inc. will employ about 24 people at their new location, which is expected to open by early April.
Computing Center director Joanne Hugi said the donation will ensure that the University has access to the latest technology and will be able to provide professional opportunities for students and researchers at the University. She said both the grant and lease agreement were obtained through the work of David Meyer, director of the Advanced Network Technology Center. Meyer is also a senior network engineer with Cisco Systems, Inc. He was unable to be reached for comment.
Hugi said due to Meyer’s work and other research agreements between the University and Cisco Systems, Inc., the company eventually decided to give the grant.
“I would say it was because we have a staff member who works with Cisco,” she said. “One thing led to another, and Cisco felt that a gift was in order.”
She said the funding will go toward the University’s efforts to develop secure transmission technologies to deliver television- quality broadcasts over the Internet.
Hugi said she was glad Cisco Systems, Inc. had pledged the funding, and was pleased the company decided to open a facility in Eugene because it will bring more talented researchers to the area and provide opportunities for students and staff to enter the professional field.
“You can’t have too many good network engineers in Eugene,” she said.
Hans Kuhn, an academic user specialist at the Computer Center, is developing the broadcast technology. He said the funding allows the University to continue expanding their research efforts, while giving Cisco Systems, Inc. valuable feedback about the technology.
“The research we do ties in with the products they offer,” he said.
Kuhn said the technology in question has already been used by the Computing Center to broadcast events such as the Prefontaine Classic track meet held last June. Unlike standard Web broadcast technology that sends out one stream of data to every viewer logged on, multicast technology enables hundreds and thousands of viewers to watch one source of data.
Even though Cisco Systems, Inc. has provided funding and equipment, Kuhn said that does not mean the University is in any way obliged to the company.
“Cisco does not dictate the terms on which we purchase or use technology,” he said. “We’re constantly evaluating other products out there.”
Diane Wiley, director of the Riverfront Research Park, said Cisco Systems, Inc. has entered into a five-year agreement with the Research Park Associates company. She said Cisco Systems, Inc.’s space is not one of the largest locations in the research park, but the University is still happy to have a new tenant.