HEAnet

{{short description|Educational network provider in Ireland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox organization

| name = HEAnet

| abbreviation =

| image = File:HEAnet_Logo.png

| image_border =

| size =

| alt = HEAnet Logo

| formation = 1983; incorporated in November 1997

| purpose =

| headquarters = Dublin

| status = Company limited by guarantee

| region_served = Ireland

| main_organ = Board of Directors

| website = {{URL|http://www.heanet.ie/}}

}}

HEAnet is the national education and research network of Ireland.

HEAnet's e-infrastructure services support approximately 210,000 students and staff (third-level) in Ireland, and approximately 800,000 students and staff (first and second-level) relying on the HEAnet network.{{cite web |url=https://www.heanet.ie/about |title=About |publisher=Heanet.ie |access-date=27 October 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028033936/https://www.heanet.ie/about |url-status=dead }} In total, the network supports approximately 1 million users.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/heanet-to-announce-new-security-deal-1.1804014 |title=HEAnet to announce new security deal |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=2014-05-22 |access-date=2018-10-27}}

Established in 1983 by a number of Irish universities, and supported by the Higher Education Authority, HEAnet provides e-infrastructure services to schools, colleges and universities within the Irish education system. Its network connects Irish universities, Institutes of technology in Ireland, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing (National Supercomputing Centre) and other higher education institutions (HEIs). It also provides internet services to primary and post-primary schools in Ireland and research organisations.{{cite web|url = https://www.heanet.ie/about/client-list | publisher = HEAnet | title = HEAnet clients| access-date = 27 June 2019}}{{cite web|url = https://www.techcentral.ie/heanet-completes-e30m-second-level-broadband-rollout/ | publisher = TechCentral.ie | title = HEAnet completes €30m second level broadband rollout| date = 8 December 2014 | access-date = 27 October 2018}} Their clients also include various state-sponsored bodies, including hosting the online live conferencing service of the Oireachtas, the parliament of Ireland.{{Cite web |url=https://www.heanet.ie/who-we-are/our-clients |title=Our Clients |website=HEAnet|access-date=2022-11-14}}

HEAnet previously hosted a mirror service, which acted as a mirror for projects such as SourceForge, Debian, and Ubuntu. This service was discontinued in 2024.{{Cite web |title=HEAnet - After 20+ years of service, we are retiring ftp.heanet.ie. Thank you to everyone who used it and helped us drive network improvements. Its legacy lives on through the contributions made to the Linux Kernel, Apache, and research networks worldwide. #HEAnet #NetworkImprovements {{!}} Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/heanetclg/photos/after-20-years-of-service-we-are-retiring-ftpheanetie-thank-you-to-everyone-who-/1009544320972822/?_rdr |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}

In 2014, HEAnet hosted the TERENA Conference in Dublin. It was held between 19 and 22 May 2014 in Dublin.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalmeetsculture.net/article/terena-networking-conference-2014-networking-with-the-world/ |title=TERENA Networking Conference 2014: Networking with the World |publisher=digitalmeetsculture.net |date=12 May 2014 |access-date=14 November 2022}}

In 2017, HEAnet announced additional investment in "100 Gbps [services] to boost bandwidth accessed by [...] 216 academic locations around Ireland".{{cite web|url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/comms/heanet-100gbps-broadband-network |title=HEAnet invests €5m in 100Gbps nationwide network |date=4 September 2017 |publisher=Siliconrepublic.com |access-date=27 October 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/agile-networks-secures-5m-contract-with-heanet-1.2725199 |title=Agile Networks secures €5m contract with HEAnet |publisher=Irishtimes.com |date=18 July 2016 |access-date=27 October 2018}}