Advanced Network and Innovative Services

GRNET SA runs the Greek Research & Technology Network, according to the operating model of corresponding EU Research and Education Networks.

It operates both at a national and international level and constitutes the setting for the development of innovative services for the members of the Greek research and education communities. GRNET SA connects more than 90 institutions, including all universities, technical and research institutes, as well as thepublicGreek School Network, supporting more than 500.000 users all over the country. Moreover, it provides local interconnection services to the main Greek Internet providers, through the Greek Internet Exchange/GR-ΙΧ (www.gr-ix.gr/). GR-IX started operating in 2008 and provides interconnection at Nx10 Gbps, enhancing the quality of internet service and infrastructure nationwide.

GRNET SA aims at contributing towards our country’s Digital Convergence with the EU, by supporting the development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), by constituting the ideal setting for scientific researchtowards future network developments, by developing and offering innovative services and applications to Greek citizens from an early age (e-government, e-learning, e-integration), and by introducing advanced technological tools in everyday activities; tools that will improve their quality of life, will reduce unnecessary transportation and will render them more effective and competitive, equal members of the Digital Greek Community.

GRNET is ready for the challenge! The right and timely planning strategies, together with the long experience and know-how of its executives, guarantee the continuation and enhancement of GRNET’s successful course.


HELLAS GRID - www.hellasgrid.gr

HellasGrid is the Greek Grid Infrastructure, run by GRNET for the benefit of the Greek research and education communities, allowing free access to advanced e-science applications, for their day-to-day needs and projects. The HellasGrid infrastructure is fully integrated within the Pan-European Grid infrastructure EGEE (www.eu-egee.org), and allows the collection, computing and distribution of scientific data at a large scale, not available within individual research labs.

Active member of the Global network for Research and Education

GRNET network is part of the Global Network for Research and Education, represents Greece in the Pan-European network GΙANT with 40 million potential users and is an active member of all relative international organizations, which work towards the development of regional network and computing infrastructures and the support of advanced applications. GRNET is one of the 34 national backbone networks that interconnect more than 4.000 local university networks, while connecting them to relative international ones. Moreover, GRNET participates in European projects that aim to strategically plan EU initiatives, in terms of technology and innovation.

Innovative Services and Initiatives

GRNET’s innovative initiatives aim to the familiarizing of Greek students and citizens with Technology. Such initiatives provide the technological know-how that can be used at a personal and professional level:

Goneis.gr – http://goneis.gr

The Goneis.gr  initiative provided free home training on Information and Communication Technologies, Safer Internet and Parental Control Software, to 43.000 parents of pupils that were enrolled in one of the three years of any type of high school (daily, experimental, musical, etc.) both private and public, or of pupils that studied in schools for challenged children. The training was carried out by specialized instructors, although parents were also entitled to distance-learning courses covering basic computer skills (e-learning courses). After the completion of the training, the Beneficiaries were entitled to participate (free of charge) in certification exams, so as to acquire a certificate on “ICT knowledge and PC skills” in at least three basic knowledge units.

e-kpaidefteite –  www.ekpaidefteite.gr

GRNET designed and carried out the e-kpaidefteite initiative, which offered 90% subsidy to all students that were admitted to Greek universities in 2005, 2006 and 2007, as well as to all `Open University` students, in order for them to be trained and certified in New Technologies and Internet Applications. The initiative, through which 55.000 students were trained, aimed at providing them with technological know-how, essential to their academic and professional career.




Des Tin Psifiaka – www.destinpsifiaka.gr

The ground-breaking initiative Des Tin Psifiaka offered substantial subsidy for the acquisition of laptops to around 42.000 first-year students. The competence and thoroughness with which the initiative was carried outwas praised by the Greek educational community, the EU and the industrial sector, for its flexible and efficient distribution procedures, the equal supervision of all businesses that participated, the high participation rates of beneficiaries, and the total containment of any abusive operation. Participating businesses not only contributed to the promotion of new technologies, but also had the opportunity to enhance their sales and to create a wider customer database. 

Diodos– http://diodos.edu.gr

GRNET coordinates the Diodos internet service, aiming at promoting broadband services in Greece. Diodos provides fast Internet connection, in privileged terms and conditions and at the lowest possible cost, to all students and members of the Greek academic community. The service is provided by Greek Internet service providers through their ADSL network, which is connected to GRNET. The high registration rates of both students and providers, are indicative of the high quality service, which is constantly improving in terms of cost and time effectiveness, and of the wide range of extra services provided, such as free access to digital libraries (www.heal-link.gr).

Anafandon  –  http://anafandon.grnet.gr/

GRNET designed and carried out the Anafandon digital platform, through which students and members of the Greek academic community have free access to commercial internet applications and to digital tools for the development of new applications. Anafandon allows them to make use of their imagination and creativity and to therefore contribute to the promotion of research and innovation in Greece.

Pithos – http://pithos.grnet.gr/

Pithos is a free service by GRNET, which currently provides 50 Gbytes space (per user) for data storage online, available to all students and members of the Greek academic community. Users can store their files, have safe access to them at anytime, anywhere, and also share them with other users. Moreover, Pithos provides an advanced search facility, and archiving (versioning). Its functionality is available through a published Application Program Interface (API), so that users can extend it and build novel applications on it. The full Pithos code is available through an Open Source license.

e Business Forum  –  www.ebusinessforum.gr

The “Information Society” Program e-Business forum was carried out successfully by GRNET. E-Business Forum has been a permanent mechanism of consultation between the State and the business/academic community aiming at the elaboration of views and proposals that promote electronic entrepreneurship in Greece and the diffusion of e-business in Greek enterprises. Executives from all business fields, Universities and Research Institutions, the Public sector, social partners’ and consumers’ representatives participated in the Forum. A lot of different working groups operated since November of 2000 and approached e-business on an institutional, technical, business, finance, sociological and political point of view, through the production of reliable data supporting the project, the design of flexible and applicable policy actions and proposals for the institutional framework, and the project’s promotion through sessions and seminars, media campaigns, publication of practical Guides, Counsels and Codes of Ethics, all aiming at informing and educating on new technologies and their best and safest use.

Educational Support Of the Go-Online Program – www.go-online.gr

The Go-On Line program was an initiative of the Ministry of Development, aiming at the diffusion of new technologies in Greek small-medium enterprises. The program aimed at the familiarizing of small enterprises and free lancers with the digital economy, at the development of possibilities and opportunities through the Internet and prompted businessmen to make the most of ICT technologies in the frame of Information Society. The Educational Support of the Go-On Line program was successfully implemented by GRNET in all 13 Greek regions, in cooperation with regional academic institutions, chambers, developmental companies and other organizations, which provided free of charge consulting and supportive services to all registered businesses. More than 36.000 businesses participated and benefitted by the program all over the country, with the support and guidance of more than 1.000 Consultants.