Research at UPEI is supported by the university's institutional membership in a number of important technology and communications networks.

ACENET

Established in 2003, ACENET is a consortium of post-secondary institutions throughout Atlantic Canada providing digital research infrastructure access, expertise, training and support. UPEI is a member of ACENET, meaning that its resources and services are free of charge to post-secondary institutional researchers and students.

ACENET provides services in:

• Advanced research computing – fast, large, and powerful computers, storage, and networks with specialized software to perform complex, large-scale simulations, data analysis, modelling, machine learning, and calculations (i.e. computing beyond the capabilities of a desktop);
• Research data management – the processes applied throughout the lifecycle of a project to guide the collection, documentation, storage, sharing and preservation of research data; and
• Research software – specialized software required by researchers, whether commercial, open-source software, community codes, or their own software development.

Through ACENET, researchers can access high performance and big data computing resources, supported cloud environments, leading edge GPU systems, high-speed secure file transfer for terabytes of data, and stable, secure, storage and backup systems.

Its experts can help researchers determine their computing requirements, optimize and troubleshoot code, provide in-depth consultation, scale from desktop to cluster, and install, operate and maintain advanced computing equipment.

Ongoing training and support is provided from novice to advanced, in groups and individually, and from general to specialized topics. Through its training services, ACENET provides students with foundational skills in the high-demand field of advanced computing. Details about upcoming training are shared in UPEI Campus Notices, the UPEI Events Calendar, and the ACENET Newsletter.

ACENET is the Atlantic regional partner of the Digital Research Alliance of Canada. Through the Alliance, ACENET provides Atlantic researchers access to computing resources from across the country in addition to its own, and represents our regional needs at the national table.

Research support staff for ACENET are in Room 261 of the Robertson Library. Email support@ace-net.ca for assistance or visit the website.

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada

The Digital Research Alliance of Canada (the Alliance) is a non-profit organization funded by the Government of Canada and member institutions that serves Canadian researchers, with the objective of advancing Canada’s position as a leader in the knowledge economy on the international stage. By integrating, championing and funding the infrastructure and activities required for advanced research computing (ARC), research data management (RDM) and research software (RS), the Alliance provides the platform for the research community to access tools and services.

NB PEI Educational Computer Network (ECN)

The provinces of New Brunswick and PEI each have a Provincial Research and Education Network. The two research and education networks work collaboratively through the New Brunswick – Prince Edward Island Educational Computer Network (ECN) which 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.

Canada's National Research and Education Network (NREN)

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 thirteen 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.

If you are a member of NB PEI ECN, you're already connected to the NREN. If you'd like to connect, contact helpdesk@upei.ca.