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Yang Zongying: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Lin Haoming: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
Zheng Qiaoying: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
In the 1990s many libraries throughout the world have been keeping pace with change by building library networks and developing the electronic library. Librarians have used facilities offered by the Internet to obtain resources for their information services. Studies in China are intended to build on such developments. Recently a decision was made by the relevant national department to start Project No. 211. This gives priority to the establishment of the China Education and Research Network (CERNET) and China Academic Library and Information System (CALIS). Based on CERNET, CALIS will set up a network of information resources to meet the needs of various users all over China. This paper briefly introduces CERNET and examines how to provide library and information services on CERNET.
Introduction to CERNET
China Education and Research Network (CERNET) is the first nation-wide computer network for education and research activities in China. Funded by the Chinese Government and organised by the Chinese State Education Commission, CERNET was developed between late 1993 and late 1995. It will connect all universities and institutes in China in the near future. High schools, primary schools and other educational and research units will be connected by the end of the century. Furthermore, it will connect to the global Internet and become a major part of China's Internet community. The CERNET project will greatly improve Chinese educational and research infrastructure and play an important role in training for both network experts and network end users. Undoubtedly, it will contribute to China's educational, research and economic development.
Objectives of the CERNET project
The main objective of the CERNET project is to establish a nationwide educational and research network to provide services to all universities, institutes and schools in China with up-to-date telecommunication and computer technologies. Its specific aims are:
to establish a nation-wide backbone that connects eight regional networks;
to establish connections to the global Internet;
to set up a national network centre and several regional network centres;
to adopt TCP/IP as the major network protocol and provide Internet applications;
to develop China's information resources and applications.
CERNET structure
CERNET has a three-layer hierarchy:
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