acorn ns

Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks

Nova Scotia

What We Do

In Nova Scotia, research and education institutions connect to Canada's National Research and Education Network and the world through ACORN-NS [Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks Nova Scotia].

The National Research and Education Network (NREN) is an essential collective of infrastructure, tools and people that bolsters Canadian leadership in research, education, and innovation. CANARIE and its twelve provincial and territorial partners form Canada's NREN. We connect Canada's researchers, educators and innovators to each other and to data, technology and colleagues around the world.

Network map for Canada’s National Research and Education Network

ACORN-NS is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. This territory is covered by the "Treaties of Peace and Friendship" which Mi'kmaq Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet), and Passamaquoddy Peoples first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi'kmaq and Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations. We are all Treaty People.

ACORN-NS also acknowledges that people of African descent have been in Nova Scotia for over 400 years, and we honour and offer gratitude to those ancestors of African descent who came before us to this land.

Our Objectives

Security

To refine, implement and maintain a resilient, secure, advanced research and education network architecture

Reliability

To reliably operate Nova Scotia's advanced research and education network including the CANARIE GigaPoP

Innovation

To promote the value and innovation created by the advanced research and education network.

Sustainability

to maintain a sustainable model for ACORN-NS.

Measurements of Success

11

Member Institutions

8

Affiliate Organizations

1,382

Gbps

Network
Capacity

79

Connected Member Sites

$289k

Revenue from Memberships

Who Are We

Get to know us!

Partners

Thirteen provincial, territorial and federal partners form Canada’s NREN. More information on each partner, along with a link to their website, may be found below.

ACORN-NL

ACORN-NL | Atlantic Canada Organization of Research Networks, Newfoundland and Labrador

ACORN-NL is dedicated to the implementation and formalization of a regional advanced network in Newfoundland and Labrador that will link post-secondary institutions, their major research centres and the K-12 system.

Aurora College

Aurora College | Aurora College provides advanced-network services for the Northwest Territories.

BCNET

BCNET | Shared IT services for higher education and research in British Columbia

BCNET is a not-for-profit, shared information technology services organization that represents the interests of our members––colleges, universities and research institutes in British Columbia. We continuously engage with our members to explore, evaluate and develop solutions that meet their unique needs. Our aim is to build value through collaboration, drive down costs, maximize efficiencies and further the mission of our members.

Canarie

CANARIE | CANARIE is the federal partner in Canada’s National Research and Education Network, providing interprovincial and international connectivity. Beyond the network, CANARIE funds and promotes reusable research software tools and national research data management initiatives to accelerate discovery, provides identity management services to the academic community, and offers advanced networking and cloud resources to boost commercialization in Canada’s technology sector.

MRnet

MRnet | MRnet is Manitoba’s Regional Advanced Research and Education Network. MRnet provides a very-high-speed, fibre optic network linking its research and education members to the world’s R&E networks. The MRnet network supports research, education and advanced application development among Manitoba’s research, education and industry organizations.

ECN

NB PEI Educational Computer Network (ECN) | The New Brunswick - Prince Edward Island Educational Computer Network (ECN) provides a sustainable, economical, and reliable high-speed network platform to educational and research organizations throughout the region. It connects them to research and innovation networks across Canada and around the world. The ECN is a model of collaboration and shared services across this geographically, economically, and linguistically diverse region.

ORION

ORION | ORION is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering Ontario researchers, educators and innovators. The organization’s community includes more than two million users at over one hundred universities, colleges, hospitals and research institutions, as well as the majority of Ontario’s school boards. ORION enables ground-breaking discoveries and cutting-edge education through its network, and provides vital digital tools and expert support.

RISQ

RISQ | Quebec Scientific Information Network

As a not-for-profit organization, the Quebec Scientific Information Network (RISQ) is a private telecommunications network that has served the education sector in Quebec since 1989. RISQ’s network covers approximately 6,000 km and reaches about 750 000 students, teachers and staff. It provides members with shared resources and services, and also acts as an information, coordination and expertise forum.

SRnet

SRnet | Saskatchewan Research Network

SRnet (Saskatchewan Research Network Inc.) is a not-for-profit research and education network, the Saskatchewan member of Canada’s advanced network alliance. SRnet provides dedicated high speed network (10 Gbps, 1 Gbps, 100 Mbps) access to institutions and companies across Saskatchewan that use it for their research and education activities.

Yukon College

Yukon College | Yukon College provides a vital link between students and researchers in the Yukon and national and international education and research networks. The Yukon Research Centre at Yukon College facilitates education opportunities for communities, encourages collaboration with First Nations, and expands opportunities for northern innovation. Yukon College also enables Yukoners to share their diverse cultural and environmental research with the world.

Contact


Primary Contacts


Executive Members

  • Gary Doucette, Chair, Acadia University
  • (Vacant), Vice Chair
  • Jody Couch, Treasurer, Dalhousie University
  • Allison Boutilier, Secretary, Cape Breton University