High Performance Research Network

HPRNet offers a network environment that is tailored to the needs of high performance science applications, including large data transfers, remote experiment control, and data visualization. It is built on the Science DMZ architecture.  The equipment, configuration, and security policies are optimized for high-performance scientific applications rather than for general purpose business environments. This optimized network consists of dedicated internet “fast lane” circuits that route research traffic around ordinary traffic. With HPRNet, data transfers that would take hours or days to complete can now be accomplished in a matter of minutes or hours.

All UIC researchers, faculty, staff, and students are eligible to use the HPRNet service free of charge.

When using the HPRNet service, it is the responsibility of the user to adhere to the general ACER rules and policies described in the Data Security policy mentioned below and the Acceptable Use Policy document.

Please note that HPRNet and its associated data transfer tools (Globus, DTN) are not approved for use with sensitive or protected datasets (e.g. FERPA, PHI/HIPPA) and any requests to use these protocols to share such data will be denied. Researchers who need to share sensitive data should send an email detailing the request to acer@uic.edu.  We will then work with you and the Institutional Review Board to find an approved alternative.

Instructions for using HPRNet to transfer files can be found on our Globus Personal Connect webpage (Note: access to this page is limited to persons on the UIC Network or connected through the UIC VPN). On this page, researchers will find instructions on how to:

  • Activate a Globus account
  • Create a dedicated endpoint on their workstation(s) to access files on the ACER HPC network through the UIC Data Transfer Node (DTN), or from external DTN’s
  • Monitor data transfer rates

Once their systems have been properly configured, researchers will then be able to receive and share large data files very efficiently by initiating their file transfers to the DTN Endpoints. Please contact the ACER staff (acer@uic.edu) if you need additional help accessing the HPRNet service.

Per recommendations of the Energy Sciences Network (ESNet), developers of the Science DMZ design, HPRNet is NOT behind campus firewall to remove performance bottlenecks for large volume research data transfers within or outside the campus. This performance gain needs to be balanced by exercising extra care when handling research data. No critical or sensitive datasets/collections, as defined in our security program, must be transferred over HPRNet due to the compliance and security reasons. If you are unsure of your data classification or would like to explore HPRNet further, please contact us at acer@uic.edu.

The HPRNet system is designed specifically to support data-intensive science.  Some examples of use case scenarios for researchers are listed below.

  • Transferring genomic datasets from remote sites
  • Analysis of large I/O-bound datasets
  • Exchanging large video files with a colleague
  • Sharing collections of astronomy images
  • Rsync between remote sites for data backup and recovery