Joint Academic Network (JANET): The JANET was inaugurated on 1st April 1984. It uses the Science and Engineering Research Council Network (SERCNET) as a basis besides integration of other research council network. It was formed for rationalize the existing U. K. networks and build a national backbone services. It is now funded by Joint Information System Committee (JISC) and managed by U. K. Education and Research Networking Association (UKERNA). All U. K. universities together with other national bodies such as British library are connected to the network.
The range of activities facilitated by JANET allows individuals and organisations to push back the traditional boundaries of teaching, learning and research methods. For example, JANET’s videoconferencing and video streaming capabilities are being used to deliver lectures to remote groups of students. For researchers, the high capacity of the JANET backbone allows the linking of large data storage and high performance computing facilities at a national and international level. The other JANET services are -
a) Catalouging: Upto 1988 many libraries become successful in providing their catalogue to the user through this network.
b) Database Service: JANET provides database services such as Cambridge Structural Database, Inorganic Crystal Structures Data File, Crystal Data Identification File, Agricultural Database, etc.
c) JANET OPAC: Through JANET OPAC one can access JANET catalogue and their database.
d) JANET News: This is a bulleting board service of JANET. Through which details of informative materials of all libraries linked in the network are provided.
e) Email Service: JANET began its operation with the inauguration of Email.
f) JANET and Internet: JANET was directly linked to the internet via the JANET IP Service (JIPS). This allows TCP/IP and JANET X 25 data on run over the JANET backbone.
g) Super JANET: It is a continuous up gradation policy of JANET for higher performance computing. It upgrades the existing network infrastructure, not only the backbone but also the network links right through to the user desktop.
The other services of JANET includes customer service, network status, network services, JANET CERT, domain name registration, training, events and conferences, bringing out publication.
It is found that there are number of networks in UK consisting of two or more universities. All such networks irrespective of their particular network join in JANET. Sitting in one system one can log on to another system through JANET.
The JANET network connects UK universities, FE Colleges, Research Councils, Specialist Colleges and Adult and Community Learning providers. It also provides connections between the Regional Broadband Consortia to facilitate the DfES initiative for a national schools’ network. Over 18 million end-users are currently served by the JANET network.