Microsoft 365 Negotiating on your behalf Janet News PAGE 3 Issue 19 October 2012 The International Dimension Janet abroad PAGE 16

Information Architecture Our evolving web presence PAGE 18

Nicola Dandridge Technology driving the education agenda Page 13

Christine lookING forward sexton Intelligent use of to the NEW technology in HE Page 20 academic year WELCOME ///

CEO Welcome EDITORIAL Contents What a summer we’ve had – despite Welcome to the autumn issue of Janet the undeniable lack of sunshine, News. With all hands on deck as the News the UK came together to celebrate new academic year begins, this issue Making the move to the Diamond Jubilee; we’ve had an focuses on how we’re improving our Microsoft 365 3 Olympics to rival any other show on services so we can continue to meet Earth, and here at Janet, we’ve been Janet6: from your future requirements. developing the technology that will take requirements to evolution 4 you into the next decade. Work on the Exploring technology Janet Brokerage celebrates its first next generation of our network, Janet6, capabilities for research 6 year in business and forges ahead continues with funding principles with its work on delivering value to approved and key equipment suppliers Community the community. The Brokerage has selected. This glimpse into future Celebrating ten years of eduroam 8 negotiated a framework agreement networking capabilities hasn’t been The eduroam consultancy 9 for you to purchase Microsoft 365 our only success story. Working with (pg3), and will be beginning talks with the BBC and Japanese broadcaster 8,000 pixels of sport: Janet Google to offer something similar if the NHK, we successfully carried the data delivering groundbreaking SHV 11 community shows enough interest. to screen live super hi-vision broadcasts Five minutes with of the Olympics, across the UK as Nicola Dandridge 13 As we gaze into the crystal ball, we well as to the USA and Japan; a truly Steering the way forward: see the future of broadcasting with impressive feat underlining Janet’s the Janet stakeholder group 15 super hi-vision (pg11) and a cutting position as a world leader. The international dimension 16 edge network that will deliver super fast speeds across the core Janet I am delighted to announce that Mark infrastructure (pg4) beginning at 2 Wright has joined the team at Janet Features Terabit/s. Christine Sexton, IT Director as Finance Director, bringing with him Information architecture: at the University of Sheffield, shares a balance of both private and higher the hidden building 18 her thoughts on how the technology education experience. We will no doubt Spotlight on: Christine Sexton 20 of tomorrow is informing her strategy be given an insight into Mark’s view Closing the skills gap 24 today (pg20), and Janet Training looks of the sector in a future issue of Janet Guiding the Janet Brokerage 26 at how you can future-proof your staff News, but for now, I would like to extend skills (pg24). my sincerest thanks to Pramod Philip. Technical Pramod joined Janet over 12 months Finally, you may have noticed that Password security 27 ago as interim Finance Director and has Janet has a new website (pg18) – in fully supported the team following the Streamlining videoconferencing 31 fact we have two; one to update you sad loss of Andrew Taylor, and during The future of with the latest service developments, the JISC transition process. Pramod’s telephony in the cloud 32 and a second for members of work has been of the highest quality Fixing website liability 34 our community to connect and and we all wish him the very best with collaborate with us and each other. We his future endeavours. live and work in an interactive world Events and Training and hope that these new channels will Events calendar 36 As the new academic year stretches encourage you to share your thoughts ahead of us, we look forward to Training calendar 37 and ideas with us. working with members of the JISC Customer engagement family to ensure that we have the team profiles 38 right strategic vision to provide the best Customer engagement team 39 possible service to meet the evolving needs of all our customers. Dan Perry, Publications Director, Product and Marketing Recent publications 40

Tim Marshall, CEO Janet

2 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Making the move to Microsoft 365 how the Brokerage is helping you This autumn, we will be releasing a single sector agreement to help you harness the benefits of Microsoft cloud services, including Office 365 for education - a service that will save our research and education community valuable time and money.

Several institutions approached us As institutions move from in-house Are you interested in moving to in March 2012 asking for help to email systems or migrate from Google Apps for Education? overcome the hurdles which they Microsoft Live@Edu to Office 365, the W e’re starting discussions to faced when adopting Microsoft 365. single agreement will avoid duplication help you with this move. Join our Office 365 is a collaborative tool for and reduce legal costs throughout the community group at staff, students sector, ensuring https://community.ja.net/ and relevant a good deal for groups/cloud-email or contact third parties everyone involved. the Brokerage team and let us that focuses know if you’d like our assistance. on productivity and communication. It supersedes Live@Edu and Microsoft offers several Janet Brokerage was keen to work with free and paid-for academic plans. Microsoft, acting as a single focus for sector negotiations. Our aim as been to We worked closely with these save time and money for institutions, universities and colleges to negotiate who can now take advantage of amendments and clarification standard contracts available through to Microsoft’s standard contract Janet. documents, which are available to use as part of the Janet Microsoft service. For more information on how you Following extensive legal advice from can use the single agreement, please internal and external experts, this contact us: was approved by the participating email: [email protected] organisations’ compliance teams. This Tel: 01235 822337 will reduce the amount of legal due diligence needed to move institutions to Office 365 in the future.

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 3 News ///

On 5 July, over 100 members of the Janet community got online to hear our latest update on the progress of Janet6. Jeremy Sharp, Head of Strategic Technologies, explored how we had gathered essential requirements from our community; Rob Evans, Chief Technical Advisor, discussed how these had translated into the design for the architecture of Janet6 and Neil Shewry, Project Manager, covered where we had got to in terms of implementing the project.

Janet6: From Requirements to Evolution - Next Generation Infrastructure Online Briefing

4 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Once the team had completed their With regards to requirements, presentations, the community dove in we’ve had clear messages from the with a number of questions, including: community that Janet6 needs to have the capacity to keep up with the Will Janet offer PSN services? exponential growth in both normal We are still primarily a network for network traffic and the anticipated research and education, but we will data bonanza in research. This engage with regional PSNs where improved capability, could save it is mutually beneficial, and keep a organisations money by facilitating watching brief on how the PSN access to cloud and other new market develops. service providers, as well as support an increasing diversity of public and What is Janet doing about upgrades private sector partnerships. It will need to the regional networks? to be robust, reliable, scalable and agile Upgrades have already been planned JANET to respond in a timely and effective on a rolling timetable over the next way to any new demand placed on it. couple of years. We will have the COMPETITION flexibility, through a Framework Agreement, to change the shape of Where am I? SuperJanet5 is due for replacement the fibre network in future to keep in in a planned programme of re- line with the evolving needs of our procurement. It has already undergone regional infrastructure. extensive upgrades during its life, and we are still proud that it is one of the What about traffic access to flow data? first networks that implemented100 We have a system that allows Gbit/s technology. New dark fibre will be information about Janet traffic to be acquired and lit by the latest generation exported for an agreed purpose, but technology optical equipment. To get we have to consider various privacy the scalability and agility we want and issues. Our new routers will be able need, we have decided that we need to handle and export this more to take management of the optical accurately and reliably. equipment into our Network Operations Centre (NOC) and we are actively To listen to the recorded session and doing so. New optical engineers will be to find further technical information recruited, and the successful supplier will discussed on the day please visit the also provide staff to train members of project webpage: https://www.ja.net/ For a chance to win your own Janet in the first year. We have already products-services/janet-futures/janet6 Janet water bottle, go to selected our preferred fibre supplier SSE https://community.ja.net/ Technology, and our optical equipment Further Information groups/janet-news and tell us supplier Ciena signed contracts with We will be running a webinar on on which famous film location Janet on 5 September. Janet6: From Procurement to Design was this photo taken? on 4 October 2012. For more details about the event see pg36. Please note: the first correct (or Installation and transition to the new closest) answer submitted to the network will be complete by the end of If you want to contribute to the forum before 31 October 2012, March 2013. The fibre will be installed development of the network, or have will be the winning entry; we will first, followed by the optical equipment, any questions about the network, only be able to contact the and SuperJanet5 will continue to run in its design or the approaches we are winner; the answer will be posted parallel to provide continuity of service taking, please join our community by Janet on the website on until the migration is complete. group at https://community.ja.net/ 1 November 2012; Janet staff groups/janet6 may not enter.

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 5 News /// Exploring technology capabilities for research On 21 June, Janet held a research-focused meeting at the Royal Society in London, where 50 people joined Janet’s research support team to hear about the latest news affecting the research community. The attendees came from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including particle physics, high performance computation and molecular biology.

The main emphasis of the programme network capability to key strategic Collider (LHC), and the realities of was Janet’s next generation network, research facilities within the UK as part redesigning networks to accommodate Janet6, and an exploration of how it of the Department for Business, large data generating instruments. will benefit high-end research. Innovation and Skills (BIS) One of the key points made by Mark The agenda also included the new e-Infrastructure initiative. This is in was that it was unrealistic to expect to e-Infrastructure initiative, launched addition to a number of significant connect systems to a campus network over the winter of 2011/2012. changes that are due to be and immediately obtain high data- implemented via the Janet6 transition. transfer performance. Achieving the Jeremy Sharp, Head of Strategic high data-throughputs that are Technologies at Janet, began the day increasingly needed by research with an update on the new Janet The event gave members of the Janet scientists is likely to require significant infrastructure. Jeremy highlighted the community an opportunity to share end-to-end system optimisation. benefits of Janet6 for the research developments and opinions on community, including developing the networking and technology-related acquisition of the Janet infrastructure topics. Mark Leese, network architect at An industrial research perspective was into its constituent parts of fibre and the Science and Technology Facilities provided by Darren Green, Director of optical, taking operational control of Council (STFC) presented on the Computational Chemistry, at GSK. the optical transmission equipment large-scale e-Infrastructure resources Darren spoke about the current and layer, and harmonisation of that STFC operates on behalf of the UK future impacts that modelling and equipment on the backbone. research community. Mark spoke simulation techniques have on GSK’s about the new capabilities they have research and development activities. Jeremy also described how Janet has for data processing within climate Alongside this paradigm shift, from been involved in planning for improved research as well as the Large Hadron wet-bench chemistry to modelling

6 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 and simulation, significant mechanisms. Direct connections to the regional High Performance e-Infrastructure challenges exist. These Janet can be made where Computing (HPC) consortia funded challenges include the storage and organisations are involved in bona-fide through the programme as they curation of petabyte sized datasets, research collaboration with other develop relationships with businesses transferring the data between systems Janet-connected organisations such as and promote the potential of HPC. and most importantly, having the skills universities or research-council and expertise to perform the analysis laboratories and facilities. The second The event was a great opportunity for on Big Data. mechanism operates through the the research community to connect Business and Community with each other. Historically, Janet has Engagement (BCE) policy that allows always been responsive to the needs The event concluded with a panel Janet-connected organisations to of the research community and we’re session where a number of key share some of their network access eager to continue to strengthen our themes were explored around capacity with organisations that they engagement with you to gain a collaboration, industrial connectivity may be hosting on campus. deeper understanding of your network and strategic planning. requirements as disciplines and One of the goals of the e-Infrastructure working patterns evolve. The concept of connecting industrial programme is to improve industry research and development access to the skills, knowledge and If you would like further information organisations to Janet was mentioned resources within the academic about the event or to download the at several points throughout the day. community, and it is likely that the presentations, visit our community At present, Janet policies permit Janet eligibility and connection policies group at http://community.ja.net/ commercial organisations to connect will need to evolve as the programme groups/janet-research. to the network through two matures. One focus on this topic will be

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 7 COMMUNITY /// Celebrating ten years of eduroam

connectivity is being provided at more eduroam, the federated wireless than 5,300 venues across Europe, with network developed by GÉANT that a presence in Africa, Asia, and the supports roaming connectivity between Americas to cover 54 countries in total. educational venues, began as an idea In the UK, we now cover 78% of the HE in an email in May 2002. That led to a sector, and see approximately 100,000 four-country proof-of-concept project unique devices per month. in which the UK was represented by transport, and companion apps. the University of Southampton. This Today, the service is a popular and About 6% of transactions result from was followed by the UKERNA ‘location well-used fixture of the educational international roaming, so the core independent networking (LIN)’ trial... landscape. constituency is users roaming within And the rest, as they say, is history. their home nations. Institutions are increasingly using eduroam as their Some of that history was written by An independent monitoring outfit primary production wireless network, Janet – from the first ever international (http://www.wigle.net/gps/gps/main/ since its design represents WLAN best eduroam authentication; the concept ssidstats) places eduroam as the third practice, allowing greater control with of a standardised technical most ‘visible’ provider of wireless Internet reduced support costs, and offering specification to provide consistency; access globally. In the past year, over users the best possible experience. early use of eduroam at conferences; 250 million successful authentications through to our current support have taken place, which translates to offerings, eduroam on public 400,000 unique ‘device days’. This From a simple idea, we now have a world-leading infrastructure. At its heart has technical excellence coupled with the fabric of trust between Follow us on Twitter @eduroamUK organisations all pursuing the same goal and contributing to the eduroam endeavour unselfishly. This is a unique Latest Twitter buzz around eduroam combination that the commercial world cannot match. @mcbjazz #eduroam is the next best thing to sliced bread, with bacon on top Janet is proud to lead the UK’s ongoing engagement with eduroam, supporting @FHeinderyckx #eduroam rocks. Get to the other side of the world, walk into a campus, our healthy and growing roaming flip your laptop open, and you’re online community, and contributing our local innovations back to the international @christinaroesl eduroam effort. Who knows where the #eduroam saves me so much wifi-finding grief, especially at conferences. next ten years may take us? @maria_alhinai #eduroam is the best invention ever!!! Free eduroam companion apps are available for iOS and Android platforms @johnhawks at https://www.ja.net/products- Once again, words can’t describe how convenient #eduroam is services/janet-connect/eduroam/ eduroam-companion

8 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 the eduroam consultancy

The Janet eduroam consultancy service has been Alan Buxey, Senior IT Services in existence for ten years, delivered in partnership Specialist at with Loughborough University, which provides Loughborough University the technical management of the Janet national RADIUS servers. The University is well placed to deliver the consultancy service as it provides eduroam technical support, as well as training courses. Dr Alan Buxey, who heads up the support team and plays a vital role in the consultancy service, shares his insights. continued on page 10 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 9 COMMUNITY ///

>>> continued from page 9

Q: What does the consultancy Q: In which sectors has the service requirements of the eduroam service offer? been most popular? Technical Specification. A: The consultancy can be used for a A: There have been 12 projects over range of activities, including on-site the past two years, which have kept us So we worked with them to ensure problem solving, post-deployment fairly busy considering the wide range they were conforming to best current auditing and QA work, eduroam of eduroam-associated work we do. practice, particularly with regards to installation and setup, and on-site The majority of projects have been for the efficiency and effectiveness of their training. It’s very useful in situations universities, although we would like to RADIUS server configuration. where an organisation’s IT Support see greater uptake by the FE staff require additional resources to community. We had one case where The OUCS Network Team detailed the carry out a specific eduroam-related we were able to put a college in full story on their blog: http://blogs. task, or they simply do not have the contact with its local university whose oucs.ox.ac.uk/networks/2011/09/01/ time or expert knowledge to effectively eduroam administrator was happy to maintenance-work-on-eduroam/ and efficiently complete a project. act as a mentor. In that particular case Other scenarios where the service can the local JISC Regional Support Centre Q: What are the highlights of running be of benefit include situations where was also involved as they regularly the consultancy? staff that originally set up the eduroam visited the college to provide on-site A: We’ve witnessed a number of service have moved on or changed job support services. instances where, upon enabling roles, leaving the organisation with a eduroam at customer sites, visitors skills gap. Consultancy can be used to Q: So what is the range of from other eduroam-enabled audit the deployment, implement best consultancy projects that you have organisations were suddenly able to practice and provide on-site training for undertaken? seamlessly connect to the Internet, the new administrator. A: Anything you can think of – auditing when previously they had no the service, streamlining a connectivity. It’s very satisfying to Q: How does the service work? deployment, simplifying a wireless see the service just work – the ease A: Each case is different, but initially networking environment to a single with which users can connect to we’ll meet with the customer and primary SSID, dealing with eduroam without having to get agree the scope of the work and authentication proxy issues and local network teams to generate guest number of days required to complete authentication requirements, accounts, or pay for costly 3G is well the job. The commercial arrangement preparation of RADIUS server for worth shouting about. (which may include travel and Moonshot, setting up RADIUS servers overnight accommodation) is from scratch. The list goes on! Book now arranged directly between you and Loughborough University rather than One project undertaken in July 2011 The cost of on-site consultancy is Janet, since this is the most efficient was for the University of Oxford. The £580 + expenses (excluding VAT) method. We begin working with the University already had a working per day. To take advantage of the customer, initially on a remote basis to eduroam service that had been service, contact the Janet Service analyse the existing configuration and deployed throughout the University Desk ([email protected]) requesting then work on-site. Once we’ve departments, local hospitals and local more information about eduroam concluded our on-site work you will authority locations in and around consultancy, briefly outlining your receive a written report detailing our Oxford. However, the Oxford University requirements, or simply ask us to findings, the work carried out and any Computing Service wanted assurance contact you. recommendations. that the deployment met all

10 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 8,000 pixels of Sport: Janet delivering groundbreaking Super Hi-Vision this summer continued on page 12 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 11 COMMUNITY ///

>>> continued from page 11

The bigger the screen and the more pixels, the cooler it is – a simple correlation known to gadget-loving techies everywhere. So imagine my excitement about the latest project that Janet got involved in – streaming live sporting content to huge screens at such a high resolution, that the idea Tim Boundy, Strategic Technologies, of giving the audience binoculars is being seriously considered, Janet. email: even though they will be only metres from the screen. [email protected]

This summer the BBC and NHK, the Alongside the essential 10 Gigabit habitually uses large data rates Japanese Public Broadcasters, filmed Janet-connected router, were the racks between Glasgow University and the and streamed the Olympics in Super of decoders, decryption devices and, Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Hi-Vision (SHV). The SHV stream, recording drives. Each site made for an Alongside the SHV traffic were bursts which at 8K resolution is 16 times the impressive technical demonstration of of data peaking at 5 Gigabits per resolution of HDTV, was streamed live the stunning audio and video footage. second (Gbps). Due to the amount of by Janet around the UK, and then bandwidth available on the Janet core around the world back to NHK in Japan. To ensure the sporting moments the SHV stream was unaffected. reached every end site as a beautifully In the UK the 350Mbps video stream intact 8K video stream, NHK were The SHV project has brought together was delivered to public viewing screens utilising a system called Super Forward so many different types of expertise. at BBC Broadcasting House, London, Error Correction. This new system Network gurus from the Janet NOC, The National Media Museum in ensured that the picture would be ClydeNET and YHMAN have been Bradford, and the BBC Pacific Quay in perfect at the point of viewing in the working closely alongside TV sports Glasgow. Internationally the stream event that the signal was lost between producers, all keen to make it the most was viewed in Washington, USA and BBC Television Centre and Japan. Up to stunning AV event of the games. SHV at three sites in Japan, making this the 10% of the signal could be lost but the will provide a great demonstration of widest global viewing of live SHV picture can still be recovered perfectly an NHK, BBC and Janet project, giving content ever performed. In the UK, the without a pause in the show. The Janet something back to the Janet BBC invited the public to apply for tickets streams have not required this kind of community and to sports fans across to view the fruits of this groundbreaking real time failsafe but for the NHK’s the UK. project during the games. vision of a future where SHV is delivered to homes via domestic Technically, dealing with the cutting broadband, it will be essential. edge SHV technologies has been fascinating for the Janet teams Setting up the connections and fine- involved. The cameras were bigger tuning them for SHV initially presented versions of standard TV cameras and some new challenges but the Janet the microphones looked like large fluffy connections to the public viewing sites balls on sticks, consisting of 22 in Bradford and Glasgow have run individual mics that provided the 22.2 continuously without significant issues. channel surround sound. In the At one point in Glasgow the intensive theatres, playback involved a scaffold testing for the SHV connection led us to to position the 24 speakers around the watch some other ClydeNET traffic in audience and a projector – the size and more detail. The Glasgow Super weight of two washing machines. Computing project known as GRID, Prototype technology: The BBC broadcasts the 1948 London Games.

12 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Five minutes with Nicola Dandridge Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, remains upbeat about the future of UK academia, despite the current challenging economic times. She spoke to Janet News about how technology will increasingly drive the future education agenda.

continued on page 14 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 13 COMMUNITY ///

>>> continued from page 13

Nicola, you were recently quoted as for the future needs of UK universities. saying that ‘Universities have a critical But, we can’t be content with just role to play in pulling our economy introducing the relevant hardware and out of the recession’. Is this realistic? we need to work with Janet to ensure Definitely. Given that we are in an that the sector is aware of all the economic downturn it is essential that additional services Janet offers and people get the skills they will need how, for example, Janet and UK when things pick up. People with a work and family will want improved universities can work together to deliver degree are still far more likely to get a online provision, so universities need to online tuition. Will Janet6 support job and there’s no ‘up front’ payment offer flexible alternatives to the current international teaching? UK institutions when taking up your place at learning structure. Also, the devolved need Janet on board as they expand university. Certainly, the CBI tells us nations will want policies that reflect internationally. I have every confidence that employers are still looking at their own identities and across the UK that Janet can deliver and I see the graduates to fill their roles. we see increasing collaborative future relationship between Janet and partnerships with major organisations UK universities as being more of a We’re helping to provide the UK with facing similar challenges – the NHS is a co-dependent partnership than the the skilled workforce that will support good example. Working with partners traditional supplier/institution model. the economy, and UUK’s work within will help us identify the efficiencies that that wider brief covers many areas – we need to implement; we can always Clearly you have a lot going on at the research and business engagement do things better. moment and it’s a very busy time of are just two I could mention. year. Can you describe a typical day How do you expect Janet6, the next in your working life? When you spoke at the Higher generation of the Janet network, to Exciting and challenging! My job has Education Futures event in May 2011, meet the changing needs of UK so many aspects that there is no you mentioned the challenge of universities? typical day. On any one day we will be adapting to change. What do you While I can’t answer for individual working on policy development, on think is driving this change? member universities, I’m confident infrastructure support for individual Technology is a major factor in that Janet understands the need for universities, on an innovative determining what happens next. It increased flexibility in meeting the programme established with students already plays a key role in our public changing requirements of the in Brazil, or organising conferences and engagement work across the different education sector. workshops for universities. We communication platforms. It underpins collaborate on shared services – such the UK’s globalisation programme and Universities, whether they be research as Janet – and we use media as students move away from or teaching focused, are facing rising engagement to demonstrate the value traditional on-campus tuition, it will bandwidth requirements from of universities both here and abroad. help universities establish different students, staff and researchers. Janet is tuition models. working to match and exceed these My job is demanding and there are requirements. At UUK we’ve been long hours, but it’s a great area to work Education is increasingly web-based involved, to some extent, with the in and I get to meet so many creative and students who want to fit their development of the new Janet6 people. I don’t think you’d find this education around the demands of network, and we have made the case diversity in any other sector.

14 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Steering the way forward: The Janet Stakeholder Group

On 25 June, the Janet Stakeholder Group met to discuss (1) the outcome of the JISC transition and how it would affect the operation and funding of Janet, (2) to hear the latest developments in the Janet6 procurement and (3) to receive an update on the infrastructure company portfolio.

The meeting was attended by Wilson also recommended that JISC and as such, a method of community representatives from the Scottish became a legal entity. feedback will need to be established – Funding Council, GuildHE, the Research the Stakeholder Group is well placed to Councils, the Russell Group of IT It has been proposed that the new JISC take that forward. Directors, the 1994 Group, University should be owned by Universities UK, Alliance, the Association of Colleges, IT Guild HE and the Association of If you would like more information on Directors in Wales, NATSPEC, the PSBA, Colleges (AoC), to encourage inclusion the Janet6 procurement process, UCISA and JISC for all sectors of the community. Tim please read pages 4-5. You can view stressed that the brand identity of the Janet6 presentation given by The briefing began with Janet’s CEO Janet will be preserved and as an Jeremy Sharp (Janet’s Head of Tim Marshall highlighting Janet’s existing operating company, Janet Strategic Technologies) as well as involvement with the JISC transition. along with JISC Collections, will form an learn more about Tim Marshall’s view He reminded the group that the JISC operating company as a subsidiary of on the infrastructure company review, carried out by Sir Alan Wilson, the new JISC. portfolio by visiting identified a number of key points https://www.ja.net/about-janet/ including that the JISC activity was too Following the JISC reorganisation, the janet-stakeholder-consultative-panel widely spread and should be focused value of the Stakeholder Group will be to achieve more of an impact in critical even greater in helping review and For details of the next areas. In the future, the report shape our services to better serve the stakeholder group, please visit recommended that JISC should be community. The Group considers the Janet website for updates: funded with a combination of grants Janet to be an accountable partner to https://www.ja.net/about- and subscriptions or user charges. organisations within the community janet/about-us

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 15 COMMUNITY ///

The international dimension

Josh Howlett is Janet’s Head of Almost every industrialised nation, and many emerging and developing International Collaboration. Having economies, have a National Research and Education Network (NREN) – and taken over the role from newly retired some have more than one. It’s very Steve Hogger, Josh will be responsible easy to overlook the significance of our international NREN partners when for developing our international we’re so preoccupied with meeting the Josh Howlett, relationships and maintaining our role needs of our local users. Head of International as a leading influence in this space. The highly collaborative and Collaboration, increasingly globalised nature of Janet Previously, Josh was an Activity Leader research and education, and the need for cost effective and dependable within GÉANT, coordinating work services, mean that all NRENs share a across many European NRENs. Josh desire to work together. However given the number, diversity and geographical has been an active member of the distribution of NRENs you probably won’t be surprised to learn that there TERENA community for many years are significant challenges involved. and shares his thoughts on the The simplest route to collaboration is international arena. through a bilateral partnership, where it is easiest to identify and satisfy a common need. A good example is

16 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 connectivity between the UK and based community, we can’t afford to Ireland, which Janet and HEAnet neglect your international relationships. (Ireland’s NREN) work together to And so where are we likely to go? provide. However, in some cases Historically GÉANT has acted as a it’s impractical to apply bilateral catalyst to improve the quality and partnerships where several NRENs Facilitating European consistency of services across European need to get involved. NRENs. With the need to reduce Collaboration costs, it is likely that this cooperation This was recognised in the early days will become increasingly close, with of research and education networking TERENA is an organisation based NRENs and their communities taking a and subsequently the NRENs in Amsterdam, which provides more consolidated approach to service developed structures to facilitate ‘soft infrastructure’ to facilitate development and delivery. This trend multilateral collaboration. Today, collaboration, innovation and is already apparent in the planning of collaborative projects within Europe sharing of knowledge. TERENA the next iteration of GÉANT (‘GN3plus’), are supported through TERENA and organises work within a number which commences in April 2013. GÉANT. The combination of TERENA, of themed Task Forces that with its focus on collaboration and address a range of technical There are aspirations to engage information exchange, and GÉANT, and non-technical disciplines. in more intelligent pan-European with its tighter focus on service TERENA’s annual conference is procurement and to centralise aspects development and delivery, has proven attended by many hundreds of service operations. This is likely to be tremendously successful, making of technologists, managers and mirrored in other world regions, with Europe the hub of the research and policy makers from the European the regions seeking more effective education networking community. and International networking mechanisms enabling them to work and vendor communities. together to ‘do more for less’. Janet abroad www.terena.org We strive to ensure that Janet is heard What lies ahead globally, attending other international GÉANT, operates the ‘hard It’s probably going to be a bumpy ride venues, such as the Internet2 infrastructure’ necessary to since NRENs and their communities Member Meeting in the USA. And our deliver services at the European are all very different. But cooperation international collaborations are not level. This body provides the is in everyone’s interests – increased restricted to the NREN community; we advanced pan-European globalisation means that regionally engage within international technology network that interconnects or nationally organised networks standardisation organisations (such as 40 European countries, and will need to work together to meet the Internet Engineering Task Force) offers global connectivity to the the needs of the communities that and with policy-making organisations Americas, China, South-East span their boundaries. The pace of such as the European Commission. Asia and Africa. As such, GÉANT this change is likely to continue, if not is without doubt the most accelerate, over the coming years, so In fact almost all parts of Janet’s ambitious NREN partnership. it’s essential that we’re positioned to business have an international In addition to the backbone take advantage of the opportunities dimension. And this is increasingly network, GÉANT also manages a that this will bring – and to avoid the true of institutions within the Janet portfolio of other multi-domain potential pitfalls. community, where the growth of trans- network and application services, national education, remote campuses such as GÉANT Bandwidth on If you would like to discuss and globalised research is becoming Demand and eduroam. Janet’s position on international an increasingly important part of their www.geant.net collaboration, please email Josh on businesses. So while Janet serves a UK- [email protected].

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 17 FTEA URE ///

Information architecture: Too often websites are considered as Our objective was to create websites that met the core requirements of our customers – helping you to find separate to the core business of an the products, services and information you’re looking for. Secondly, we wanted to provide a platform for you organisation. They become isolated to contribute to existing content, as well as collaborate islands of accumulated, often with us and each other. The new sites will help us to work more effectively as an organisation, further outdated content. Over the past 18 benefitting the sectors we serve. months at Janet, we have been When we started out on this journey, our approach rebuilding the information architecture was to look at our web presence as a core part of how we work rather than viewing it as a separate entity. We that underpins how we operate. This looked internally at our business processes and how our systems were able to better serve our customers evolution has enabled the rethinking, through online services. We also considered external redeveloping and re-engineering of factors, recognising the real expertise and knowledge is with our customers. With the birth and increasing our websites. uptake of social media, and the influence this has in business, we aimed to understand how customers were making the most of these social features of online engagement.

18 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 the hidden building

We have now split our external web Our community site is an open and opening those back to the community presence into two sites. www.ja.net is public platform that facilitates and and Janet. The groups are wholly the first port of call for visitors either encourages collaboration, providing user-controlled, rather than being new to Janet, or those who want to access to technical resources, managed by Janet, to allow open gather some top level information community experts, and each other. discussion. about our products and services. The Our goal is to facilitate community site has been re-structured to present interaction, whether the common By integrating our web presence and the information more clearly and ground is service enhancement, or back office systems together, we’re concisely. Advancements in web resolving issues. Our aim is to feed this looking to operate more efficiently as a development mean that increasingly, material into our internal product company and be more effective in visitors to websites will be able to find, management discussions, helping to supporting you, our community. You book and pay for services, courses and develop and deliver products and now have the opportunity to have a events online, as well as having better services that will suit your future greater say in shaping the future of access to support and other services. requirements. In addition, this is the Janet so get involved. Join the Our new site is now more user-friendly space where we will create and host community groups, learn and teach, and we’ve made these tasks simpler our technical knowledge bases, which and initiate discussions on areas that and quicker to complete. However, we hope will encourage peer support. interest you. this is only your first stop – https://community.ja.net is the second A central facet of the community site We look forward to meeting you online. site, and offers more opportunities to will be the ‘groups’. These enable you to Take a look: https://www.ja.net and get involved with Janet. have discussions and share ideas before https://community.ja.net

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 19 FTEA URE ///

University of Sheffield Students’ Union SPOTLIGHT ON: Christine Sexton As IT Director at The University of Sheffield, Christine explains how her partnership with Janet is helping her to meet future technology challenges.

20 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 How has your background helped you Sheffield is a research-intense “Sheffield could be a in your current role? university. How do your technological model of how the I have a PhD in genetics and spent nine priorities differ from those of a more years as a scientist before moving on to traditional, teaching university? intelligent use of become the Head of Administration in A thousand of our six and a half technology can help in the Faculty of Medicine, then Director of thousand staff are engaged in Corporate Information in 1996. Later research work and their IT other areas – for example, that year, my department merged requirements vary. As our agenda is reducing our on-site with Academic Computing Services to essentially research-led, we push out infrastructure and form ‘Corporate Information and and receive a lot of data so we need Computing Services’. plenty of bandwidth. Successful outsourcing some services research requires online collaboration, also feeds into our I don’t think of myself as an IT person, both within and beyond the University, more of a leader and manager so we need a robust network that can sustainability agenda.” surrounded by IT experts: I work at a safely move huge volumes of data strategic rather than a technical level. I around. We run high-powered understand the University’s business computers that support enterprise needs and regard my lack of ‘backroom’ applications specific to the research IT experience as a bonus – I never say environment and we use several ‘we can’t do that’ when looking at petabytes of data storage. Safety and potential solutions because the truth is I reliability are major considerations and simply don’t know that we can’t! suppliers have to deliver these unique requirements. continued on page 22 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 21 FTEA URE ///

Information Commons

>>> continued FROM page 21

You’re known in the industry as an Bring Your Own (BYO) technologies; all Google. None of our email is based on innovator – what new technologies our services are now available on mobile the campus. It drives our thinking and have you introduced at the applications. In the future, we want to strategy: my first question when University? deliver all our services over the web. looking at a new requirement is ‘can We use social media to communicate we outsource this?’ I like to make with our students and we were one of Sheffield could be a model of how the savings on infrastructure and re-assign the first universities to develop our own intelligent use of technology can help our IT people to supporting the core mobile app. I like to keep an eye on in other areas – for example, reducing aims of the University – teaching and what’s happening in the IT our on-site infrastructure and learning, and research. environment and our students are a outsourcing some services also feeds great resource for discovering what’s into our sustainability agenda. And out there – there are plenty of then of course there is cloud ‘feedback’ channels to harvest this computing, which is important in information. We were also one of the meeting our storage needs and we use first universities to publish ‘gigapixel’ different technologies to suit the photos of our graduation ceremonies, requirement. enabling our students to use them to ‘tag’ themselves on Facebook. So you’re an advocate of cloud computing, outsourcing and data We’re also embracing consumerisation. centres? More than 60% of our students have Absolutely. We have gone for off-site smartphones and 96% own laptops, so hosting in a big way and have we’re harnessing the power of these outsourced our calendars and email to

22 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 What are your priorities over the next academic year? The changes to student fees and numbers are going to present a whole new set of challenges so our IT priorities include improving life for students, making it easier for them to share their experiences. Offering an enhanced student experience, underpinned by the innovative use of IT, could help our marketing efforts more than any brochure.

We’ll continue to support the use of BYO technology. If students are happier using their own stuff then we Firth Court should support, rather than fight it. Handled properly, it can be a win/win >>> continued FROM page 22 situation.

Can Janet, and more specifically certainly makes life easier - Longer term, we’ll need to be more Janet6, meet the changing needs of fragmentation could be disastrous. agile in responding to the opportunities your university? Similarly, CSIRT is vital in maintaining that future technologies offer. Our Certainly. Our partnership with Janet network security. There’s a lot of systems need to be flexible so we’re has always been important but as we confidential material on our wires and not faced with a situation where we grow more dependant on technology Janet’s security support gives us have to ‘lockdown’ external IT then it becomes even more so. Clearly, complete confidence in what we’re equipment. For example, Skype was with huge amounts of our data whizzing doing. The guys who keep us safe are initially banned at the University. around, high bandwidth is important. Janet’s unsung heroes. Having the infrastructure and suppliers The Janet network is very robust and to support our projects have helped us has survived regular upgrades without What would you like to see in the IT to come a long way in embracing new compromising the service. landscape that doesn’t currently exist? technologies. We’re very interested in the Janet We’re keen to see how Janet can Brokerage scheme and other It seems the future for higher support our growing use of video- innovations in the cloud data storage education in the UK is one of conferencing – another innovation that sectors. We’d like to see some standard universities using innovative could support the new ways of terms and conditions introduced that technologies – underpinned by the learning that we should be looking at. cover off the wider application of these security of a robust, reliable and secure services – particularly important with dedicated network – to meet the future I also like the way Janet is funded – it new products, such as MS365 on the challenges head on. The winners will puts the traditional customer/supplier horizon. I’m currently on the Janet be those establishments who do it relationship on another footing. Having Brokerage Advisory Board so I have a more successfully than their everything we need on one network full 360-degree view of the project. competitors.

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 23 FTEA URE ///

Closing the Skills Gap In 2011 Janet commissioned a study to review the skills of technical staff. The study set out to identify the key capabilities of network operations staff and highlight what areas within teams needed improving or refreshing. Initial results have given us a fascinating insight into the wide range of activities carried out by these particular members of staff within the community.

R esearch Process The results of the study were used to Key Findings The results of the study were a develop workshops, initially run at Skills tables culmination of research and one-to- Loughborough University. This The main outcome of the study to one consultations with members of provided a unique opportunity to work date is the creation of the skills tables, the Janet community. This included directly with networking experts and which cover three generic roles: IT over a dozen telephone interviews with provide an environment in which they Officer, Network Officer and Senior line managers, a review of over 20 job could develop a shared understanding Network Officer. These roles can be descriptions plus an online survey. Due of their skills. mapped to most academic settings to the statistical significance of the using the table below. results and strong community support, we proceeded with the review.

In addition to the consultation, the The skills table study also referred to the Skills Framework for the Information Age ICT Officer ICT Manager Small organisation (SFIA). SFIA is an international Senior ICT reference model designed to support ICT Officer, ICT Officer/Team Medium the review and identification of the Network Technician Manager Heads Leader of organisation skills needed to effectively manage Info IT IT Technician Senior Technician Large and develop ICT systems. For more Work Network Group Leader/ Services placement Trainee Network organisation information on SFIA visit http://www. Support Officer Specialists Manager sfia.org.uk/.

24 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 >>> continued FROM page 24

Each skill was then categorised in two ways: 1. Type: this aims to support the on-going development of each skill. 2. Area: providing a useful way to group these skills to identify current strengths and weaknesses. The area classifications are as follows: customer support, technical, management, responsibility, and creative relationship/communications.

Category Development of the skill Working Definition

Knowledge Books, manuals, just-in-time online Understanding of facts, truths, or principles support, training

Skill On the job, shadowing, practice, workshop, Ability to carry out a task or process interactive e-learning, training

Behaviour Practised on the job, feedback, coaching, Demonstrated way of behaviour that contributes performance management, role-play to carrying out tasks or relationships

Training needs Happy managers Low turnover means knowledge is Feedback from the survey provided continually stored in people and not valuable insight into the tasks of Progression documented. Staff get frustrated by a networking staff and their training lack of progression and recruitment requirements. Interestingly, the becomes an ad-hoc process. FREEDOM PROCESS answers given for what respondents did ‘most’ and ‘best’ were the same for Using the results all non-management levels. The most A full report will be published for the common task was ‘problem solving’, community later this year. This will NEW IDEAS Document- while ‘hardware management’ was ation include recommendations on good noted as their area of expertise. A host practice based on case studies identified of training requirements and information within the Janet community. The skills briefing topics were highlighted, tables will be presented in a way that ranging from product specific updates Unhappy managers allows individuals and line managers to through to leadership training. easily benchmark their skills or the skills STALEMATE of their team against a UK-wide list. A key take-away item from the FEAR NO research was that there is a need for PROCESSES Building on the success of the skills networking technicians to continually workshop, Janet is piloting an updated stay in touch and up to date with version based on the outcomes of this changes in technology. However, there report. SAME IDEAS STAFF is a general concern that training KNOWLEDGE providers are not always able to keep This workshop will help IT teams pace with these developments. These understand the skills within the group issues and the training requirements and identify the most effective way to will be considered by the training team turnover of staff seemed more stressed develop new skills within the team, as at Janet and used to inform their by the situation than those with high well as allow individuals to develop their development activities as they seek to turnover. While this seems counter- own development plans based on this. meet the needs of the community. intuitive, a high turnover of staff allows for continual progression, focused The study was carried out by One of the most interesting findings, professional development, as well as Gill Chester, Director, Little Man Project. was the impact of staff turnover on line fresh ideas and skills being brought to For more information about the skills managers. Managers with a low the team. review, please email [email protected]

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 25 FTEA URE ///

Guiding the Janet Brokerage

The newly formed Janet Brokerage Advisory Board ensures that the Brokerage delivers what you need to move to cloud and data centre services.

Made up of 12 leading representatives long as Janet provided a reliable “The framework agreement is a great in IT, finance and sector bodies, the Internet connection, we were happy. start and the recent negotiation with advisory board provides independent However, now our users ignore the Microsoft over its Office365 offering is governance, guidance and strategic boundaries of institution, geography another excellent example. The advice from the community and time. They expect to be constantly Advisory Board is keen to help Janet perspective to Janet Brokerage. connected and are technically savvy spot these opportunities and tackle the Importantly, it ensures the Brokerage is enough to create their own Dropbox inhibitors one by one.” acting in the community’s best interest accounts. We have to work hard to stay relevant. We need to care less Meeting regularly throughout the year, We asked Mary Visser, Director of IT at about the location of our data centres the Board will play a crucial role in the the University of Leicester and Chair of and be far more concerned about the development of the service. You can the Board, to share her thoughts on services that can be reached from a contact members of the board through cloud computing, as well as explain smart phone. the Brokerage advice page on our how the Janet Brokerage Advisory website. Board will help to strengthen the “Cloud computing is real but requires us service proposition: to relate to suppliers in new ways. Janet However, it’s not the only way to is already using its unique knowledge of influence what we offer the Janet “The role of a university’s IT service is the sector to provide practical help – community; if you have any being overturned. We used to be cutting the cost of doing business and suggestions, please email introverted, running systems from our building understanding on both sides of [email protected] or call own data centres for staff and students the relationships that are going to be 01235 822337. who were generally on campus. As most critical.

26 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 TECHNICAL ///

Password security Lee Harrigan, In the last six months there have been a wide CSIRT member, Janet email: [email protected] range of successful attacks on public services such as Yahoo, LinkedIn, last.fm, eHarmony, Hotmail and Stratfor, which have led to usernames and passwords leaking onto the Internet.

continued on page 28 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 27 TECHNICAL ///

>>> continued from page 27

Password advice is a common request from our community, so here is a brief look at how you can better secure your users’ passwords, and some thoughts on password best practice to share with your colleagues.

Storing passwords These hashes can still be recovered by using brute force Passwords stored in databases should never be in plain text tools such as John the Ripper or OclHashcat. Alternatively, a or easily reversible algorithms such as base64. hacker or security professional could use pre-computed rainbow tables where hashes are pre-generated and a User: [email protected] lookup table is used to recover the plain text version of the Password: ‘password’ password. In previous examples, both Alice and Bob have the same hash and therefore the same password – making User: [email protected] them immediate targets of a brute force attack. Using a Password: ‘password’ ‘salt’ with your hash generation adds some random characters to the password before it is hashed, meaning the User: [email protected] generated hashes will all be unique. Password: ‘I4m$3cur£’ User: [email protected] We can see that if the above data were compromised then Salt:t#3X the details could be easily reused on other services or sites. SHA1:241ae51cad23bc52c96ef1f00a093bd8f4758a4b At a minimum, they should be stored using a one way hashing function such as sha256 or sha512. User: [email protected] Salt:K!sl User: [email protected] SHA1:2df597b5c427d84f4113cd4548ebc97c6bf2c684 SHA1:5baa61e4c9b93f3f0682250b6cf8331b7ee68fd8 User: [email protected] User: [email protected] Salt:)+sY SHA1:5baa61e4c9b93f3f0682250b6cf8331b7ee68fd8 SHA1:2f69dda4c65811888fd145c73d6a47111185d1a4 User: [email protected] Even though Alice and Bob are using the same password, SHA1:3cb5609a5a42f715c327f0b625700feeea536f6c by salting the password the hashes are no longer identical. If your user authentication details do get compromised, this method will render rainbow tables useless, as new tables would need to be generated for each salted password.

“One of the best ways that a user can create a password is by using a phrase, and taking the first letter from each word to create it. Using the phrase ‘One day I will own a Bugatti Veyron’ by adding a few special characters and replacing some other characters we can generate the following “#1d1wo@BV$”. ”

28 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 continued on page 30 >>>

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 29 TECHNICAL ///

>>> continued from page 29

Complexity requirements, ageing and change their password is by high-profile targets that garner password audits incrementing a number within their significant media attention, there will be Overly complex password password for instance ‘odiwoabv3’. If a run of phishing emails and website- requirements will often force your an attacker knows a previously working based attacks. These are designed to users into using weak passwords, for password they will try a derivation of harvest user credentials by directing instance requiring passwords to consist that first. For password ageing to be people to change their passwords on of unique characters – a common, effective you need to compare the new fake webpages. Warn your users about guessable password would be password to previous passwords and these types of attacks and advise them ‘Abcd#123’. The sequential nature of check for similarities between them. If only to enter password details on a the password makes it very weak, you are frequently conducting website where they’ve typed in the web despite using a variety of characters. password audits then the need for address or browsed to it via an online Some places force people to select a ageing is less of a necessity as you will search result. randomly generated password from a be aware of any insecure passwords list, this leads to the password being that could be compromised. Here to help you written down somewhere by the user, Part of our role as Janet CSIRT is to alert commonly on a note under their Frequent password audits with you to potential compromises. Recently keyboard. applications like John the Ripper can we were alerted to an attack against a detect users who persistently use weak customer site. In this case we were able One of the best ways that a user can passwords and allow you to advise to crack 48% of the passwords at the create a password is by using a phrase, them accordingly. You may also detect compromised site using a single set of and taking the first letter from each systems that are not generating rainbow tables. The passwords were word to create it. Using the phrase ‘One passwords according to your policies. eight characters or less, comprising only day I will own a Bugatti Veyron’ by lower-case letters and numbers. If the adding a few special characters and Advising Users passwords were made up of mixed replacing some other characters we People reuse passwords and this is a case characters, numbers and symbols, can generate the following “#1d1wo@ major security concern when they use we wouldn’t have recovered such a BV$”. This ten-character password is the same password for social media large number of passwords. sufficiently complex and would prevent sites and payment sites such as all but the most determined attacker PayPal. A determined attacker could During the clean up, we worked with from breaking it. Using OclHashcat identify a user’s home address, when the customer affected to provide with a current off-the-shelf graphics they are away from home, their advice and help them secure their card would take up to 947 years to friends, and even bank account details. compromised system. They reset all of crack this password via brute force. The user could also use the password the compromised passwords and Compare this to a pure lower case for work-related accounts, so implemented minimum password version of the password ‘odiwoabv’, potentially, the breach of confidential complexity requirements and salting which would only take up to 105 information could be damaging to the on stored passwords, in order to seconds. By mixing the case, adding individual as well as their organisation. prevent the success of rainbow table numbers and using some symbols, we recovery methods in the future. can exponentially increase the security Users should employ a different of our passwords. password for each website they visit. Our new community group provides Password management tools such as further advice and information on Password ageing forces users to keepassX will keep track of your password security: https://community. change their passwords after a set passwords and generate new random ja.net/groups/security interval, preventing a compromised passwords for you. password from being used for a For one-to-one technical advice, prolonged period of time. The most Following any attack where security is email [email protected] or call us on common way that somebody will compromised and especially with 0300 999 2340

30 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Streamlining videoconferencing

IOCOM offers Visimeet videoconferencing and collaboration software to research and education institutions in the UK. 12 months after IOCOM became a Janet Connected Service, the company’s VP of Operations, Gary Refka gives us an update on what the future holds and what Visimeet users can expect to see.

The first year of the Visimeet service partners on their list and invite them on Janet has been a success with over to a meeting as they would a 450 users signing up and supporting Visimeet user. Our goal is for the two over 350 meetings a month. available and will give Linux-based systems to interact seamlessly, institutions, departments, or groups the simplifying the process for users. Visimeet mobility ability to participate in meetings with In 2011 we introduced an Android app greater ease. This will help institutions Seamless connectivity enabling mobile users to instantly collaborate and work with partners. To further enhance the service offered participate in a meeting from any to Janet users, the public Visimeet location. Work on a Visimeet iOS And to improve the use of service and the Janet Visimeet service application is currently underway, and videoconferencing, we have been will be linked. This will enable users on should be available in Autumn 2012, working with Janet to make the the Janet server to meet with anyone which will allow iPhone and iPad users process of joining a meeting simpler. in the world. Users will continue to to enjoy the same functionality. Users experience a quick and reliable that require remote connection whilst The Janet Videoconferencing Service connection but will no longer be limited traveling will find this new will include an option to add a Visimeet when collaborating with those outside development invaluable. guest to a meeting. Other enhancements the Janet network. include the ability for Visimeet users to Enhanced collaboration add a one-click dial to Janet To find out more about the Vismeet We’re working hard to fill gaps in the Videoconferencing endpoints on the service and to get the latest updates market; for example, a Linux buddy list; Visimeet users can have on our multi-platform apps, visit compatible version of Visimeet is their Janet Videoconferencing Service http://janet.iocom.co.uk.

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 31 TECHNICAL ///

THE FUTURE OF TELEPHONY IN THE CLOUD

With IT and operations budgets under increasing pressure, research and education institutions are looking for innovative, cost-effective ways to consolidate their communications services while continuing to derive value from legacy investments. Fortunately, technology is constantly evolving new ways to meet these challenges head on.

32 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 Innovation in the cloud “Ultimately, we see the future of Cloud-based IP telephony, including InTechnology is the only service telephony as being one without Unified Communications and legacy provider to offer a mix of desk-based phones,” he says. “The PBX (telephone exchange)-extension value-added hosting, voice and majority of users will access all of their technology SIP trunking, is just one data services that are integrated communications using apps on their way in which institutions’ IT and delivered over our own smart devices – which is what most departments are fulfilling the demands end-to-end quality assured IP people want to do anyway.” Quine of the ‘do more with less’ mantra. network. Although the learning says that although desktop phones never stops, we have learned won’t disappear overnight, regular Established in 1983, InTechnology was more than most. InTechnology Customer Steering the first Janet Connected voice and data Group sessions have been driving the service provider. It offers fully managed Over 30 years we have move in this direction for over a year. data and IP telephony services to the developed leading business and research and education sectors, consumer ISPs, built application In action amongst others, across the UK. Recent platforms from scratch, rolled Recent work with Oxford University clients include Oxford University and the out complex next-generation saw InTechnology implement SIP London School of Economics (LSE). networks and built a cloud trunking across the Janet network delivery and support following a highly successful pilot Significant operational and economic infrastructure that is second project. Using InTechnology’s carrier- interest to none. grade hosted VoIP and Unified InTechnology divisional director Communications platform, Oxford Richard Quine says that managed IP Find out more about University were able to cut costs, telephony solutions are of “significant InTechnology at reduce supplier dependency and operational and economic interest” to www.intechnology.com enhance service growth potential. the research and education community. “Unlike the traditional InTechnology’s recent landmark deal approach of installing a physical PBX with the LSE, meanwhile, will enable system at each location required, all and support the making of three equipment is hosted at a secure, highly Convergence marches on million plus calls made by the available data centre facility and Unified Communications allows University each year. “InTechnology’s delivered by the user’s existing Janet institutions of all sizes to integrate all Cloud-based service will provide LSE connection.” According to Quine, this their communications services into a staff with a wide range of tools that will approach can lead to savings of up to single, consistent user experience not only improve communication, but 40% on phone bills and 70% on line across multiple devices and locations. also deliver savings on travel costs and charges – within four weeks. Presence-based applications such as the associated impact on click-to-dial, desktop sharing, instant sustainability,” says Quine, pointing to “From a technical perspective, the key messaging, video calling, conferencing the extensive collaboration capabilities benefits of InTechnology’s IP and call recording are included within provided by the solution. Janet’s CEO telephony solution include single circuit this service. Tim Marshall praised the agreement, access to multiple organisations – saying, “We especially welcome the that’s over 18 million users across the Fully converged services mean you LSE and InTechnology approach which 1,200 institutions served by the Janet can manage and control phone calls has developed a ‘model contract’ that network – and the fact that it’s a fully from a laptop, regardless of where you other Janet-connected institutions can managed, hosted service,” says Quine. are. Hosted Microsoft Office benefit from.” “Our Unity IP Voice service, for Communications Server gives you total example, is delivered via Janet as a convergence and brings head offices, For more information about fully managed solution and it’s regional sites and remote workers InTechnology’s partnership with completely scalable – our network, together through a single PC interface. Janet, and the service offering, please with Janet access, can adapt to the According to Quine, this ties with email Janet’s Customer Engagement different needs, sizes and types of InTechnology’s vision for the evolution Manager Paul Wakefield, academic institutions.” of its services over the coming year. [email protected].

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 33 TECHNICAL ///

Fixing Website Liability

Do you let other people post on your website or blog ? Is it moderated? What do you do if you get a complaint about third-party content?

For at least a decade, the law on liability for Andrew Cormack, Dr Liz Bell, Head of websites and other intermediaries has proved Chief Regulatory Policy and Public Advisor, Janet Affairs, Janet controversial. Currently, the law makes it safer email: andrew. email: [email protected] [email protected] not to moderate content, and then just remove anything that receives complaints – without checking whether the complaint has any justification. Not ideal if you want to encourage debate without unpleasantness.

34 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 The European Commission has launched a separate consultation on the European law that regulates website liability for all types of unlawful material added by third parties.

Two consultations this summer may try to gather passwords from Janet highlight what is needed to improve give us a chance to improve the users, or sites hosting drive-by this situation and get the law to situation. The UK Parliament is malware that will infect visiting work effectively. discussing a new Defamation Bill. Most computers. Clearly we want these of the Bill is about preventing threats of incidents detected and resolved as In responding to consultations, Janet legal action being used to suppress soon as possible, preferably before always seeks to be an impartial, critical comments in newspapers and they cause damage to others. We also trusted advisor, offering a balanced research papers, but the law also tries receive complaints about material view, helping policy makers develop to address the current problems for on websites run by organisations viable solutions. We need to explain website operators. In doing this it will connected to the Janet network, Janet’s unique perspective of operating have to strike a difficult balance though it is quicker to send those a national-scale network in support of between the interests of critics, victims direct to the responsible organisation. the 18 million strong user base of the of defamation and website operators. research and education community – However the consultation before the When a university or college receives a something that policy makers may Bill was published suggested that complaint about material, they need not be aware of. these issues were understood, even if to be particularly careful as, unlike the answer was not yet clear. commercial ISPs, they may be obliged Wherever possible, we work in by law not to take it down. Universities partnership with other organisations The UK proposal only relates to and colleges are required to support with similar concerns on the particular defamation, but the European lawful free speech by their members issue – most recently JISC, UCISA, Commission has launched a separate and guests, so must assess whether or SCONUL, LINX and the BCS – to show consultation on the European law that not the content in question breaks the that our views are shared and that we regulates website liability for all types law before removing or leaving it as are not just a lone voice. of unlawful material added by third appropriate. Often this decision is parties. Again, the consultation seems straightforward but sometimes it is not: You can find out about the areas we to recognise that the current situation even legal experts can find it hard to are currently working on from the doesn’t provide the right incentives draw the line between criticism and Janet Legal & Regulatory blog (https:// either for removing harmful material defamation, or humour and racism. In community.ja.net/blogs/regulatory- quickly, or protecting critical but such cases, the website operator is developments). If you know of other lawful comment. forced to decide between competing consultations that may be relevant legal obligations, aware that if their then please get in touch. At Janet, we experience both sides of conclusion does not match that of the the problem. Janet CSIRT often judge (in any eventual trial) they may responds to external threats to the be found liable for breaking the law. network, such as phishing sites that Our consultation responses will Follow us on Twitter @Janet_LegReg

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 35 training & events /// Events & Training Calendar Events Janet6: From Procurement Janet CSIRT Conference VC User Group Event 2012 to Design 5 November 2012 27 November 2012 4 October 2012 One day conference being held at One day conference being held at the One hour online briefing 1 Wimpole Street, London National Space Centre, Leicester Aim Aim Aim This is the second of a number of An excellent forum for the exchange of This event brings videoconferencing online events relating to Janet6 and ideas and presentations surrounding a users from across the sector together provides the perfect opportunity to wide range of topics within computer to explore content, developments in keep up to date with our progress to and network security. The conference videoconferencing technology, share build the next generation of the Janet offers you the opportunity to network good practice and discuss challenges infrastructure. with other security contacts in the with your peers. The aim is to Janet community. encourage the use of This online session will include short videoconferencing in research and presentations from members of the Speakers from the community will be education and exploit its true potential. Janet6 project team: announced via Twitter and the event • Jeremy Sharp – procurement and webpage, but we are pleased to confirm To find out more about the event visit: project and update that security veteran Graham Cluley will https://www.ja.net/events/vc-user- • Rob Evans – infrastructure design be presenting at the conference. group

The event will be useful for anyone To find out more and to book your place visit: Call for Award Nominations interested in understanding how the now open changes to Janet will affect them and https://www.ja.net/events/janet-csirt their users. We are now receiving nominations for our VC User Group Awards. This To find out more and to register, visit: year the categories are: https://www.ja.net/events Follow us on Twitter @janetCSIRT • Best collaboration • Best demonstration of cost saving • Best example of enhancing learning To submit a nomination, visit https://community.ja.net/groups/ vc-user-group-event-2012 The closing date for entries is Friday 26 October 2012.

36 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 training Janet runs a portfolio of one-day courses specifically written for the Janet community and delivered by experts working in UK education. Our high quality courses give you a chance to train with colleagues working in a similar environment. Courses are scheduled at locations across the UK throughout the year, and can be run at your organisation with our in-house service.

Virtualisation Fundamentals IP Fundamentals Basic Networking 9 October, Manchester 16 October, London 30 October, London This course provides participants with This course looks at the Internet This course provides delegates with a direct experience of virtualisation Protocol in detail, from the basic basic understanding of computer technology, the background theory principles of operation down to the network technologies and concepts. and complete implementation actual data transmitted, with an Delegates will be led through a very examples. Hands-on experience is emphasis on operation over Ethernet. practical review of some of the key offered, demonstrating how the However, it is presented in a way issues associated with campus technology can be used in different which should not deter those who do networking. Throughout the course, environments. Participants will be not have an overly-technical delegates are given practical exercises shown how to test patches and background, as they will still gain and are shown demonstrations. simulate network changes, be given useful information from the course. security analysis examples, and will For further information about all of our learn about monitoring uses. courses or to make a booking visit http://www.ja.net/training or email us at [email protected]

Developing your team?

Janet Training offers an in-house service to suit your needs. We will deliver the course in your own familiar surroundings, providing you with an expert trainer for the day, as well as workbooks and all necessary equipment. Running an in- house course means you can focus on the issues relevant to your team as well as being a cost effective training solution. Contact us today to discuss your requirements. Tel: 01235 822242 – email: [email protected] Web: www.ja.net/training – Twitter: @janettraining

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 37 external News /// Customer engagement team Profiles

FRANCES BURTON KEVIN SHARP

On joining Janet in 2007, Frances brought her K evin joined Janet in 2006 having spent the knowledge of both schools and local authority previous six years working with the South West sectors to the role of Schools Coordinator for the Regional Support Centre where Kevin was the UK federation. Her experience in building and first, and for a while the only, member of staff. establishing strong customer relationships in One role was installing Janet routers for FE Janet are now of great value in her CE role for colleges. He has also worked in Janet as Schools the London region. Business Manager and Schools Infrastructure Coordinator. Over recent months, a significant number of our customers in the region were involved with I support a large area stretching from Penzance the Olympics and Paralympics. Many hosted to Shropshire including very rural areas, as well athletes and support teams and their Janet as the Birmingham metropolis. Resilient connectivity enabled them to provide world- connectivity is becoming increasingly important class IT facilities, helping them play a part in for the FE community, bringing challenges for their region’s success story for the Games and rurally-located FE colleges and smaller HE its legacy. institutions, while cloud services are quickly becoming the focus for many institutions. Outside of work, I am interested in art and genealogy. I have a long list of things to do While I enjoy sailing and skiing, I’m a petrol once I’ve finished studying for an OU degree in head at heart, and used to race off-road ICT at the end of this year, including learning to motorcycles. I keep this to leisure and touring play the guitar and submitting a painting for holidays now, although I still take part in consideration for the RSA Summer Exhibition. national off-road car trials.

38 Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 customer engagement /// Customer engagement team

F rances Neilson Customer Engagement Manager, Scotland Antony Mckay Tel: 01235 822200 Customer Engagement Mobile: 07967 967070 Manager, North East, email: [email protected] Yorkshire and Humberside Tel: 01235 822338 K evin Sharp Mobile: 07824 408888 Customer Engagement email: [email protected] Manager, South West and West Midlands, including: Dorset, Robert Prabucki Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Customer Engagement Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Manager, East Midlands Stoke on Trent, Shropshire, and East of England and Herefordshire. Tel: 01235 822226 Tel: 01235 822264 Mobile: 07816 654409 Mobile: 07967 365272 email: [email protected] email: [email protected]

Paul Bevan Frances Burton Customer Engagement Guy Sudron Customer Engagement Manager, Wales Customer Engagement Manager, London. Frances covers primarily Tel: 01235 822200 Manager, South East & Kent the area inside the M25. Mobile: 07920 786194 including: Oxfordshire, email: [email protected] Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Tel: 01235 822336 Hampshire, Kent and Surrey Mobile: 07768 051531 (outside the M25) email: [email protected] Tel: 01235 822292 Mobile: 07941 657127 email: [email protected]

Shirley Wood Paul Wakefield Northern Ireland Head of Customer Customer Engagement Position Vacant Engagement Team Manager,Third party services Tel: 01235 822251 Tel: 01235 822239 North West email: [email protected] Mobile: 07976 593656 Position vacant email: [email protected]

Search for your regional community group at https://community/ja.net/groups

Janet News 19 OCTOBER 2012 39 ReNewscent /// publications

Find our current publications at https://www.ja.net Previous publications can be found on the community site at https://community.ja.net

Supporting Business Quarterly Report How to contact Janet and Community May – July 2012 Engagement Janet Lumen House, Library Avenue, Harwell Oxford, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0SG Tel: 01235 822 200 Quarterly Report to the Community May – July 2012 Fax: 01235 822 399 1 Quarterly Report to the Community, May – July 2012 09/12/RP/QRSum12 Janet Service Desk Tel: 0300 300 2212 C ase study – C ase study – Fax: 0300 300 2213 Diamond Light Cancer Research email: [email protected] Source UK Janet CSIRT Tel: 0300 999 2340 Fax: 0300 300 2341 email: [email protected]

Stay in touch with Janet Cloud and data Janet News 19 centre framework If you would like to receive alerts when Follow us on Twitter CLOUD AND DATA @janet_uk CENTRE FRAMEWORK: the latest edition of SIMPLIFYING DATA CENTRE MODERNISATION Janet News is available online, Visit our website please subscribe at: https://www.ja.net

www.ja.net https://www.jiscmail. ac.uk/JANETNEWS- ONLINE If you would like to receive a printed copy of Janet News, please email [email protected] with your details. Copyright This document is copyright the JNT Association trading as Janet(UK). Parts of it, as appropriate, may be freely copied and incorporated unaltered into another document unless produced for commercial gain, subject to the source being appropriately acknowledged and the copyright preserved. The reproduction of logos without permission is expressly forbidden. Permission should be sought from the Janet Service Desk at service.ja.net

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© The JNT Association 2012