MIDnet, Inc.: About Us: History

About Us: History

In the spring of 1986, a consortium of midwestern universities requested funding from the National Science Foundation to create a regional computer network for the purpose of accessing the NSF-funded supercomputer centers and exchanging information with other researchers.

In the summer of 1986, the NSF funded the proposal for the creation of MIDnet, a regional network to connect researchers in Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and South Dakota. In September of 1987 MIDnet became the first of the regional networks to become fully operational.

MIDnet's original focus was to create a network for accessing and exchanging information and throughout its history, information exchange continued to be a major focus. Semi-annual member conferences were important vehicles for fostering information exchange and they are considered to be the legacy of MIDnet.

MIDnet moved from a university-based organization to non-profit status in 1992. Two years later, MIDnet was acquired by Global Internet, a Palo Alto, California start-up, and its name was changed to Global Internet Network Services.

The original board of directors of MIDnet were reorganized as the MIDnet Research and Higher Education Advisory Council. Global Internet sold the Network Services division to Verio, Inc in 1997 and later sold the consulting and implementation division to Exodus Communication.

However, MIDnet, Inc.continues to exist and is reestablishing itself as a quality provider of network education and information exchange.

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