This project will provide a modern computational platform to facilitate broad communication by the research and education community of Archbold Biological Station (Archbold), and provide an active presence for the station on the Internet to enhance research collaboration. Archbold, established in 1941, is a not- for-profit independent research facility in central Florida, dedicated to long-term ecological research. Staff, visiting investigators, and students conduct research primarily focused onthe organisms and environments of the Lake Wales Ridge and adjacent central Florida. Use of the facility is often intense. Areas of research strength are population ecology and conservation biologyemphasizing the relationship between species and ecosystem processes. Complementary education programs involve research training for graduates and undergraduates, use by college classes, and K-12 environmental education. Archbold supports research and education by providing access to study areas and organisms on its 5,000 acre globally significant scrub preserve, which is one of the most distinctive regions in the U.S., and a 10,300 acre ranch landscape. The station's integrated infrastructure- species diversity, land, long-term data, ease of access, reference collections, fire and land management-are its greatest asset. The project will support a computer networking system to integrate Internet, Intranet, and Local and Wide Area Networking technologies into Archbold activities. The design can be logically into four (1-4) primary computing subsystems:(1)Telecommunications & Internetworking Subsystem to interface the Wide Area Network to the Internet; (2) Internet Presence or World Wide Web Interface Subsystem to incorporate Archbold activities accessible via www applications, email, and FTP (for efficient data transfer between remote locations). Archbold proposes selection of Microsoft's NT 4.0 as a Server platform based on a review of current performance and funct ionality and analysis of the industry long- term outlook; (3) Local Area Network (LAN) Subsystem including the physical backbone and individual workstation wiring to bridge a new science LAN with the existing Administrative LAN; (4) Wide Area Network Subsystem (WAN) with (LAN) Extension to off-site facilities and Dial-up; as well as (5) a small attic conversion to accommodate a new computer Information Center at the station; and (6) an Operations and Management Plan.
