The concepts of the different aspects of e-Infrastructure are explained, including networks connecting resources of data and computation; grids that enable these resources to be perceived as "virtual computers"; and tools that support collaboration. It provides a summary of AA (Authentication and Authorisation), Virtual Organisations (VOs), and the concept of grids offering virtual computing across administrative domains.
The impact that e-Infrastructure is beginning to have on research and learning is described with emphasis on the enabling of collaboration and the potential for multi-disciplinary research.
The talk sets the context for the remainder of the day, which explores e-Infrastructure at different scales - the campus, regionally, nationally and internationally.