RUNNet (Russian university network) was established in 1994 on the initiative of the State University of Fine Mechanics and Optics by the State Committee of Higher Education as a very important branch of the Russian Universities program. In the same year, an Agreement on Cooperation between RUNNet and NORDUnet was signed. The purpose of RUNNet is to provide a single common informational space to make available Russian and foreign research and educational resources while also integrating Russian information into the world community.