CONNECT THE MAGAZINE FROM THE GÉANT COMMUNITY | ISSUE 9 OCTOBER 2012

THE EUROPE 2020 GROWTH STRATEGY RELIES ON GÉANT

READ OUR FEATURE ON WHY ICT IS VITAL TO SMART GROWTH

SMASHING THE GLASS SCHOOL’S OUT FOR GLOBAL NEWS CEILING AT GÉANT SUMMER NETWORKING UPDATES CELEBRATING WOMEN GÉANT BRINGS ITS FROM OUR PARTNERS IN ICT SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS AROUND THE WORLD TOGETHER CONTENTS

WELCOME 01

FEATURE: THE VALUE OF GÉANT SUPPORTING SMART GROWTH IN EUROPE 03 ACCELERATING & ENRICHING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION 05 SUMMER SCHOOL BRINGS GÉAN T SOFTWARE 06 DEVELOPERS TOGETHER Q&A WITH MICHAEL ENRICO AND GUY ROBERTS 08 GÉANT HELPING TO SMASH THE GLASS CEILING 11 CONNECT NEWS 15 PARTNER PROFILES 16 GLOBAL NEWS 19 USER FOCUS 24 COMMUNITY NEWS 26 ABOUT GÉANT 29

CONNECT is the quarterly magazine from the GÉANT community. The aim is to highlight key areas of interest, provide updates on the project and its vital work in supporting European research and education, as well as give an insight into the users who depend on the network, and the community that makes GÉANT what it is. If you’d like to get in touch with us about anything CONNECT related, we’d love to hear from you at [email protected] CONNECT is published by the GÉANT (GN3) project, under the NA2 Communications Activity, Task 5 | Paul Maurice (Task Leader) and Tamsin Henderson (Marketing Officer). Editors: CONNECT is produced as a digital magazine also made available in print. THoy pvieerwli nthkes :digital edition and benefit from hyperlinks to further information, please see: http://connect.geant.net To receive email alerts to the digital version, email with ‘SDuigbistaclr’ iibne t:he subject header | If you or your organisation wouldc oliknen etoc tr@ecgeeivaen tp.nrineted copies, please email with ‘Print’ in the subject header and be sure to let us know quantitiecso nanedc ftu@ll gpeoastnatl. naedtdress. WELCOME

WELCOME

The current quarter is once again “In summary the GN3 project provides Europe, a flagship initiative driving proving an extremely busy one for the excellent services and support to the Europe 2020 – the EU’s cohesive growth GÉANT project, and for the community research and education communities in strategy. Many of our partners are as a whole. As always at this time of Europe and is continuing to develop facing increased pressures and year the conference season is in full and improve its services to keep pace challenges, and so it is imperative that swing, and there is a great deal of with the requirements of its current and we continue to operate as efficiently as travelling, (human) networking and the new user communities. The project is possible, that we innovate and that we excitement of new challenges. Our also extending its outreach with links to demonstrate the success of European annual project symposium in October many other regions of the world. Some research and education networking and will bring together around 250 of the services developed by the project the ground-breaking projects it enables participants from across Europe to are now being taken up in many other – as well as the day to day requirements ‘connect, communicate and collaborate’ regions and collaboration with these that GÉANT and the NRENs support, for – via cross-Activity meetings, regions is strengthening the support for millions of researchers and students workshops and discussions. As always collaborative global research.” across Europe. Our focus on the value the objective is to provide people with a of GÉANT is intended to remind readers broad appreciation of the project and Of course we are not resting on our of the changing environment we all how different Activities all contribute to laurels. In this final year of GN3, we are operate in, as well as highlight some of achieving our goals. focusing our efforts on further improving the success stories. product management; increasing our This is timely, as we in GN3 are building engagement with the EC’s Future We hope you find this issue of interest, on a highly successful 3rd year of the Internet Initiative (FII) as well as and look forward to continuing to meet project, having just received the highest ensuring security and continuity remains many of you over the coming months. possible rating from the independent high on the agenda. panel of experts that once a year Best regards, reviews the project on behalf of the EC. GÉANT of course does not exist in All participants should feel extremely isolation. Quite the opposite: we are an proud of this achievement. After all, integral part of the Digital Agenda for Matthew Scott and Niels Hersoug, GÉANT is a large project embracing in Joint Project Managers of GN3. excess of 350 persons and this rating is a remarkable result. Particular praise was given to the collaborative spirit and team work amongst all the partners, and this is something the symposium is expressly designed to foster.

We felt that the following extract from the report sums up rather neatly both our achievements and our aspirations for the project, in how we will continue to support the research and education community. 01 FEATURE - VALUE OF GÉANT FEATURE:

TCOHNNEEC TV INAVELSTUIGAETE SO GÉFAN TG’S VÉITAL NROTLE IN EUROPE 2020 AND HIGHLIGHTS SOME OF THE EUROPEAN SUCCESS STORIES IT IS SUPPORTING

02 FEATURE - VALUE OF GÉANT SUPPORTING SMART GROWTH IN EUROPE

GÉANT has long been a vital part of European research and education, but how does this role support the Europe 2020 growth strategy?

GÉANT is a success story. For collaborate. Perhaps in the past this MAINTAINING the past ten years, through the would have meant physical relocation – witness the concentration of talent EUROPE’S LEAD joined force of national research around hubs such as world-famous Addressing the crisis we are all aware and education networks, it has universities and institutes – but now of of, the EU has responded with Europe been a vital element of Europe’s course this collaboration can take place 2020 – a cohesive growth strategy built e-infrastructure, providing the virtually regardless of physical location around smart, sustainable and inclusive high speed connectivity needed thanks to e-infrastructure. GÉANT’s role growth. Smart growth in this context up to now has therefore been vital in means improving performance in to share, access and process positioning Europe at the forefront of education, research and innovation and massive volumes of data: data research and education. the EU is targeting increased funding in which is essential to the study of research and innovation, as well as particle physics, bio-informatics, It was not always this way. In the 1990s improved levels of employment and Europe lagged behind North America in educational attainment. the advancing of medicine or its research networking, suffering from simply enabling arts performers high prices driven by Within the area of smart growth, the in different continents perform telecommunications monopolies and Digital Agenda for Europe is one of together in near real-time. poor access for the peripheral regions three flagship initiatives to deliver on Considered the most advanced of Europe. Market liberalisation, major this strategy. Aimed at making “Every investment at national and European European Digital”, it is targeting high research network in the world, level and successful collaboration have speed internet access for all, and can GÉANT has helped put Europe all played their part in propelling Europe be viewed as a roadmap for bringing at the heart of global research, to a world leadership position. the benefits of a digital economy and benefiting over 40 million society to Europe’s citizens. GÉANT lies researchers and students across at the very heart of this initiative, A HIGHLY continuing to address the digital divide Europe who collaborate with – a prerequisite for Europe’s continued peers across the world on COMPETITIVE MARKET economic and social development – ground-breaking discoveries Of course, the world doesn’t stand still, and to provide researchers and and learning. and Europe is facing stiff competition students across all of Europe with from other regions. The United States access to world class connectivity and services. To quote Neelie Kroes, European and China are investing heavily in ICT Commission Vice President for the (Information and Communications However, with the world of research and Digital Agenda, by “bringing together Technology) as a source of competitive education changing so drastically, and the brightest minds in the world, GÉANT advantage (around 5 or 6 times more in the context of Europe 2020, the future not only benefits Europe’s than Europe over the next 7 years), role of GÉANT was re-evaluated by the competitiveness but is also boosting putting Europe’s position at serious risk. GÉANT Expert Group (GEG), a group of collaboration between researchers on a It is a complex issue including politics, independent experts set up by the EC global scale.” priorities and long term strategy: those regions in a position to support their to “articulate a 2020 vision for European vision of ICT with continued – and Research and Education networking TALENT WILL FIND increased – investment expect to reap and identify an action plan for realising the benefits of a well-equipped this vision.” The GEG published its A WAY knowledge society. Others are in a more report in October 2011 to provide a If opposites really do attract, nobody difficult situation, unable to ramp vision and action plan for how European has told researchers and academics: investment even though the vision is research networks should look in 2020 talent is attracted to other groups of strong. Europe is expected to build on (to read the report online, visit the talent, and when they are separated by its notable success to date, and has put GÉANT website or search ‘Cordis distance they will find a way to ICT at the heart of its plans. Knowledge Without Borders’).

03 FEATURE - VALUE OF GÉANT

STEP UP FUNDING The result of this new generation of It is essential that continued, adequate networked services has also meant an investment at local, national and Recognising the competition posed by increase in staff requirements, yet for European level is available to ensure other world regions, one of the key many NRENs funding has remained users benefit from the highest quality overall recommendations in the report static for the last five years. With the services. Just as a well maintained road was to ‘step up funding’. In particular, economic climate still in a state of flux, and railway infrastructure is needed to several more specific recommendations further cuts remain a risk, while the maintain an economy, so were made in this area: member states needs of the research community e-infrastructures need to be upgraded, must continue to invest in their research continue to grow exponentially. serviced and supported to drive the networks; high-end users must bear a digital economy. The risks of not doing greater share of the burden; budgets for so could be profound: without sustained innovation activities should increase ICT VITAL TO EUROPE’S and adequate funding, Europe risks not significantly; funding on all levels should SMART GROWTH only losing its envious position at the be properly planned for and stable. Research networks must remain at the heart of global research, but also failing This last point – perhaps mindful of the forefront of technology and innovation. to deliver the smart growth all our hopes current crisis – reminds us of the vital Our role is to lead the way and act as are pinned on. And ultimately, that will nature of e-infrastructure and the need innovators whilst continuing to deliver a only increase the pressure currently to avoid short term funding volatility. level of service not easily found facing Europe. elsewhere. Many NRENs have had to quickly evolve to cope with the rapid growth in While NRENs are designed not just to •UseEfurl olipnek s2:020 data heavy global research, offering a support, but to stimulate research, • Digital Agenda for Europe wider range of services to a growing innovation and flow of content, the • GÉANT Expert Group number of users, who in turn are ability to allocate resources for creating a greater volume of usage. In deploying new services for users and many countries, this trend is add value through services, such as accompanied with an expansion and brokerage and secondary education, is upgrading of connectivity to client more important than ever. institutions and in an ever widening range of countries, large users are being migrated to terabit networks.

SUCCESS STORIES DECIDE As part of a unique infrastructure of high EMBL – EBI speed networks, powerful computing resources and international databases, Working in partnership, the GÉANT and GÉANT is helping early diagnosis and JANET networks provide seamless, high- treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. performance links between the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), part of the The Diagnostic Enhancement of Confidence European Molecular Biology Laboratory by an International Distributed Environment (EMBL) EMBL-EBI and scientists located (DECIDE) project aims to provide a secure throughout the world, enabling real-time, and easy to use diagnostic tool, accessible global access to the world’s largest by any doctor. collection of molecular databases. “GEANT has a crucial role in avoiding the “Our close working relationship with the fragmentation that currently is in the different ASTRA JANET and GÉANT networks delivers the research infrastructures and centres. It can GÉANT and EUMEDCONNECT provided the speed and capacity that we need, giving us help to bring together the research Ancient instruments Sound/Timbre confidence and allowing us to focus on community to share, not only the way to Reconstruction Application (ASTRA) project sharing data to push forward scientific proceed but also the vision of how to tackle with the fast and reliable connection needed progress”. the problem of pathologies in particular for physical modelling of lost instruments. Alzheimer ’s disease”.

"The success of the ASTRA project is testament to how e-Infrastructure can bring researchers and academics from across a multitude of disciplines together with artists, facilitating their creative collaboration on a global level. In addition, it provides an innovative use for research data, making this Dr Paul Flicek, Head of Vertebrate important work accessible to the general public”. Genomics, EMBL-EBI. Dr Isabella Castiglioni, Researcher, Institute of Molecular Biology & Physiology, National Research Council Dr La Rocca Co-ordinator of ASTRA (IBFM-CNR), Italy gridification

04 FEATURE - VALUE OF GÉANT ACCELERATING AND ENRICHING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

GÉANT and its NREN partners support many research projects, across many disciplines. In several cases, these projects simply would not be possible without GÉANT. This page highlights just a few of the projects we have worked with, helping to enable global user communities. Further information can be found at www.geant.net/users

“Without GÉANT, there could “The power and scope of “The EBI would not exist not be free mobility of GÉANT ensure Europe without GÉANT, because knowledge, researchers and remains a central hub for our primary goal is to information throughout the research and education, collect and distribute European Union. From that offering the best infrastructure biological data... without perspective, GÉANT is a very to the brightest minds in GÉANT we could important enabler and the world.” not do that.” contributor for creating the European Research Area.” Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice Professor Janet Thornton, Director of President for the Digital Agenda EMBL-EBI

Zoran Stan čič , Deputy Director-General of the European Commission's Communications Networks, Content and Technology DG

DID YOU KNOW?

ShanghAI Lectures Green ICT GÉANT and its partners connect over The ShanghAI Lecture series uses the power The GreenStar Network project was created 8,000 institutions. ‘Other’ institutions of research networks to provide high quality to prove the viability of using green energy include libraries, government departments, connections that enable advanced, real-time sources, initially in research networking, hospitals and museums. e-learning in a virtual global lecture hall, using that can reduce ICT’s carbon footprint. online knowledge transfer tools. GSN uses GÉANT’s high-speed Bandwidth on Demand links to create an interactive “Artificial Intelligence is a truly global research green network, which includes advanced area, crossing many different disciplines and middleware to maximise how renewable- cultures. Bringing this community together powered resources are used. would be impossible through traditional means, but the use of advanced technology “None of this would be possible without and high speed research networks has flexible, high performance international enabled us to create an interactive, vibrant research networks, such as GÉANT that collaboration between hundreds of students provide real time monitoring and control to and researchers on four continents. This deliver a virtualised green architecture.” means that the ShanghAI Lectures have become much more than a series of videoconferences, and are serving as the Mohamed Cheriet, Many of Europe’s NRENs provide foundation of a cross-disciplinary, worldwide Project Instigator, connectivity to primary and secondary community that continues to expand and grow, GreenStar Network. schools, giving over 20,000 schools enabled by the power of research networks.” access to GÉANT.

Professor Rolf Pfeifer, University of Zurich

05 CONNECT NEWS

SUMMER SCHOOL BRINGS GÉANT SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS TOGETHER

By Pawel Kedziora, Software Designer, Poznan Supercomputing and Networking Center

Advanced software is central to delivering GÉANT’s innovative, high quality services, meaning there are a growing number of developers working within the project, using leading edge tools and techniques in their work. However with developers split between different teams and countries, connecting them is important to driving the project forward.

06 CONNECT NEWS

INTRODUCTION Bringing together developers from across Europe to share best practice, network and learn new skills is the mission of the GÉANT Rade Martinović, AMRES Damian Mierzwiński, PSNC Summer School for Developers (SDS). WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO DID GOING ALONG Now in its third year, ATTEND THE SUMMER BENEFIT YOUR DAY over 20 people from the SCHOOL FOR TO DAY JOB? Yes, it benefited me a lot. I’m AutoBAHN, cNIS, GENUS DEVELOPERS (SDS)? Damian: The first year I came along now using the Test First approach and and perfSONAR MDM Rbeacdaeu: se I found the topics interesting our software is becoming more reliable teams attended the latest and relevant and it seemed like a good than ever before as the code is self- opportunity to really get to know what descriptive and understood by all Summer School, which other people in the GÉANT project are members of the team. was held in early doing and how. As I’d had such a September at the AGH positive experience last time and really WHAT AREA/SESSION benefited I wanted to return - the DID YOU FIND MOST University of Science combination of people and topics covered is what brought me back to USEFUL? and Technology in Definitely it was the Code SDS and Poland. Damian: Kraków, Poland and Retreat. I learned that communication is very important as we swapped partners was organised by SA4 WAS IT THE FIRST TIME every 45 minutes. I’ve also shifted from Software Governance YOU’D BEEN TO A GÉANT working on the solution to working on SUMMER SCHOOL? the problem description using tests. This second approach is beneficial, Task 1. This was my second time as I while the first just consumed time we Rpaardtiec:ipated in SDS2010 in Gdansk. The SDS focused on key topics relevant were short on. to all GÉANT developers, including This was my third time at SDS. Damian: Software Continuous Integration and DID YOU ENJOY THE Delivery and Testing. On day one DID YOU LEARN NEW attendees heard from expert speaker WHOLE SUMMER Tomasz Kaczanowski on the process SKILLS AND SCHOOL EXPERIENCE and tools behind software continuous TECHNIQUES? AND CHANCE TO delivery, while on the second day Rade That would be for sure Test Martinovi from Serbian NREN AMRES DRraivdeen: Development (Behaviour Driven NETWORK WITH OTHER presented on DevOps methodology and Development), Pair Programming and DEVELOPERS? how it aids software testing. During the using mocks in test. Also my horizons It was very joyful and this workshop attendees had the chance to have been widened by the excellent fDriaemndialyn a: tmosphere is a strong part of put their new skills to the test through lectures from Tomasz Kaczanowski – every SDS. Then, when we are back to hands-on coding challenges designed those on TestNG and Gradle especially our desks, spread around Europe, it is to showcase agile programming made an impression. very valuable that we previously met practices and object-oriented design. face to face. It is easier to work together DID YOU LEARN MORE and talk when you know each other By bringing together developers personally. involved in GÉANT Service (SAs) and ABOUT THE GÉANT Joint Research (JRAs) Activities the PROJECT AND THE event also aimed to increase the WILL YOU ATTEND adoption of SA4-T3 software IMPORTANCE OF FUTURE SUMMER development and QA testbed SOFTWARE WITHIN IT? SCHOOLS? infrastructure among the growing Yes. Visiting SDS and meeting If the circumstances allow, GÉANT developer community. Rade: developers from different GÉANT Rdeafidnei:tely! I’d really recommend it to subprojects in simulated work other software developers on the CONNECT caught up with Rade environments made me better GÉANT project. Martinović of AMRES and Damian appreciate the work they are doing and the difficulties they are facing in Certainly! Mierzwiński of PSNC to get his views Damian: on the event: their day to day jobs. 07 CONNECT Q&A

Q&A WITH MICHAEL ENRICO AND GUY ROBERTS

MICHAEL ENRICO GUY ROBERTS CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, DANTE SENIOR TRANSPORT NETWORK ARCHITECT, DANTE

08 CONNECT Q&A

Earlier this year, DANTE – the organisation that on behalf of Europe’s NRENs has built and operates the GÉANT network – created a function called ‘Office of the CTO’, headed by Michael Enrico, Chief Technology Officer and supported by a team of experts. CONNECT caught up with Michael, and Guy Roberts – Senior Transport Network Architect – and asked them what this means for the GÉANT project and the wider research networking community.

WHY HAS DANTE WHAT MAKES GÉANT infrastructure to make OpenFlow enabled networks available to interested ESTABLISHED A CTO SUCH AN INNOVATIVE user groups and Afrodite Sevasti OFFICE? NETWORK? (GÉANT Activity Leader for JRA2: Multi- Domain Network Services Research) : Networks such as : Throughout its existence, GÉANT and myself are speaking at the SDN GMÉicAhNaTe lh Eanvrei cao lways been at the MhaE s been a network built on innovation. and OpenFlow World Congress in leading edge of innovation, introducing Thanks to its unique hybrid architecture October 2012, discussing the role and new technologies, such as bandwidth we’re able to support the early growth of SDN in research networks. on demand and IPv6 far in advance of deployment of cutting-edge commercial providers. We want to build technologies and services that benefit And thirdly, we’re heavily involved in on this leadership and by creating the both users and our NREN partners. This standards bodies as we look to ensure CTO Office we’ve brought together flexibility, combined with high capacity, interoperability of services across experts with a wealth of knowledge and enables the project to meet user federated networks. years of experience from other roles so requirements, whatever they are that they can focus on emerging looking for. technologies and services. This will allow us to create strategies for HOW ARE YOU DANTE’s mid to long term technology INVOLVED IN direction and make valued contributions ARE THERE to individual projects such as GÉANT. PARTICULAR AREAS OF STANDARDS WORK? THE NETWORK THAT : Firstly we’re part of three Obviously the communications Gwouryk iRngo bgerortus ps within the Open Grid technology sector has never stood still, DEMONSTRATE THIS Forum (OGF), co-chairing two of them. but the rate of change is increasing as INNOVATION? We are also involved in other standards new areas such as those arising from bodies such as the Internet Engineering : I’d pick three specific areas. Firstly the EC-funded ‘Future Internet’ Task Force (IETF) and are members of wMeE ’re an early commercial customer of programme, the Cloud Services arena the TM Forum and the International Infinera for its latest DTN-X equipment, and advanced middleware affect all of Telecommunications Union (ITU) Study which gives us a route to a future terabit our operations. Group 15. network that will meet the ever- expanding requirement for higher Within the GÉANT project the NA4/T4 speed transmission of more and task was created to provide a focus in HOW DOES THIS HELP more data. this area. As well as liaising with INTERNATIONAL industry and standards bodies it Secondly, we’re involved in Software provides resources for project RESEARCH Defined Networking (SDN), which members, such as funding for travel essentially makes it possible for various NETWORKING? to meetings and a task to allocate actors (not just the network operator) to : The requirements of international hours to. control equipment such as routers and MreEsearch networking are changing switches at an intimate and granular rapidly, driven by major expansion in (Continued) level using protocols such as OpenFlow. data volumes and the need for Interestingly, this is being driven by interoperable, global services. By Internet researchers and research having a visible focus on technology networks but the concepts are now innovation it should make early moving into the commercial collaboration with both vendors and mainstream. We’ve invested in research projects more straightforward.

09 CONNECT Q&A

WHAT WORK ARE YOU INVOLVED IN WITH THE OPEN GRID FORUM? : We co-chair the OGF’s Network SGeR rvice Interface (NSI) and Network Markup Language (NML) groups.

The NML group looks at creating a language for describing network topology standard networks to make it easier to exchange information while NSI is a new protocol developed to make it simple and seamless to quickly provision dynamic circuits that span different networks across the world. It will do this by enabling full interoperability between the different technologies behind services such as GÉANT’s Bandwidth on Demand and ESnet’s OSCARS. We’re currently in the final stages of v2 of the NSI protocol, with a public announcement expected at the SuperComputing event in November (SC12).

WHY ARE STANDARDS NOW SO IMPORTANT? : Research projects are increasingly gGlRobal, whereas by their nature research and education networks tend to be national or regional. Obviously every network is independent and makes its and run very detailed measurement network infrastructure project. We’re own technology choices but needs to comparisons and this directly helps looking to deepen collaboration in a be able to communicate and provide increase accuracy in areas such as number of FI areas where it will create interoperable services with other geo-location services. In addition to value for the NREN community. networks. In this federated model, this, we must not forget that innovation standards are the best way of achieving continues apace in the higher layers of Secondly, we’re aiming to work closely this, ensuring seamless collaboration for the network stack – especially in the with Infinera and look forward to trialling users. area of middleware which is the next generation of Terabit Photonic increasingly of importance as Integrated Circuits (PICs). These consumption of Cloud Services become provide the next step up in capacity as WHAT PLANS ARE more relevant to the R&E sector. you can double performance through the same equipment – we want to be an THERE FOR FUTURE early user of this technology as we can INNOVATION IN THE see the benefits it will provide to users LOOKING FURTHER in the longer term. NETWORK OVER THE INTO THE FUTURE, ARE NEXT 1-2 YEARS? THERE PARTICULAR Finally, we can see the opportunity in : One of the reasons for applying the concepts of Virtualisation MimE plementing GÉANT’s new terabit AREAS OR TRENDS and, more recently, Software Defined network structure is that it provides a THAT YOU ARE Networking to optical networks. platform for innovation in the near term. Traditionally this has been difficult As well as further research into SDN INVESTIGATING? because it has taken some time for we’re looking to expand services such : At present there are three areas optical networking equipment to gain ME as bandwidth on demand up to that we’re looking at. Firstly, we’re sufficient agility (whilst remaining 100Gbps for individual users. As we engaging closely with the EC’s Future affordable) but we’re monitoring ways have direct access to fibre we can Internet (FI) programme – through the that look to make links between the provide access for specialist research INFINITY (FI-PPP) project – and we’re optical and packet worlds more efficient communities, such as those working in aiming to increase GÉANT’s and hope to gain some valuable hands- metrology, at a photonic level. This involvement with FI activities such as on experience in this area. means that labs across Europe can link the FI-WARE (FI-PPP) foundation

10 CONNECT SPECIAL FOCUS

GÉANT HELPING TO SMASH THE GLASS CEILING

By Tamsin Henderson, Marketing Officer, GÉANT

ICT IS OFTEN CHARACTERISED AS A MAN’S WORLD, YET HALF OF GÉANT’S SENIOR MANAGEMENT ARE WOMEN

The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) world is traditionally a male-oriented industry, with women making up less than a third of its European workforce and even fewer in senior management. As a world leader in networking, GÉANT sees things differently: in a team of 12 senior leaders (known as Activity Leaders) 6 are female, and between them they handle the majority of the project’s budget. But why should this be unusual? More to the point is it important and what does it mean for the industry?

11 CONNECT SPECIAL FOCUS

THE WORLD OF career in ICT was seen as the preserve balanced teams make better informed of the ‘techie’ hidden behind rows of decisions, leading to less risk-taking TECHNOLOGY IS code - a preconception which may have and more successful outcomes for CHANGING perpetuated a male centric workforce - companies. In fact, studies exploring today technology is seen as a much gender balance in high value ICT jobs ICT has undergone massive more vibrant and creative environment, in both management and at Board level transformation in recent years with making a career in ICT an even more have shown that a gender-balanced services and software becoming attractive proposition for intelligent, team can improve business fundamental to business and the way creative people – irrespective of gender. performance and competitiveness. we work and live today. The evolution of GÉANT’s strength and success is in the technology and its modern-day, user- efficient collaboration between its facing role is such that it now requires a partners and stakeholders, a fact completely new level of creativity for A FOCUS ON TALENT highlighted in the independent review of how that technology interfaces with its GÉANT focuses on recruiting human the GN3 project’s 3rd year, which users, and this in turn requires new talent based on enthusiasm and skill set reported teamwork and communication approaches to problem solving, to foster a lively and diverse culture with between the GÉANT project multitasking and the development of a good gender mix. Studies into gender participants as excellent. innovation. So whereas previously a balance show that more evenly

CATHRIN STÖVER MARIAN GARCIA VIDONDO MELANIE PANKHURST GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER FOR GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER FOR GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER FOR NA4: LIAISON AND SA1: NETWORK BUILD & NA2: COMMUNICATIONS & SUPPORT OPERATIONS PROMOTION

Working for DANTE Marian is responsible Melanie leads the (Delivery of Advanced for the operation and Activity that is Network Technology) performance of the responsible for which built and GÉANT network, promoting the operates GÉANT on leading a large team network, service and behalf of Europe’s of staff covering IP, values of GÉANT to NRENs, Cathrin’s transport networking the different successful career spans nearly 15 years and security with a stakeholders across and several continents. Having created budget of around €103 million over the Europe and beyond, including the first regional research and 4 year duration of GN3. Her rapid rise researchers, university IT managers and education network in Latin America as within DANTE began in 2000 when she the project’s NREN partners. well as helping set up high speed e- joined straight after finishing university. infrastructures in Europe, the US, Asia With a degree in Business Studies and and the rest of the world, she is now Marian’s priority is the implementation of Diploma in Marketing, she went straight project managing the AfricaConnect the new Terabit network infrastructure into the fast-changing ICT sector which project, exporting and adapting the which will future proof the GÉANT she enjoys immensely. Melanie’s career GÉANT model to interconnect the sub- network to 2020. is rooted in the Internet service Saharan African NRENs. provision sector, having worked for a Leading a predominantly male number of high-tech start-ups that Along with Neelie Kroes, Cathrin is keen operations and planning team, Marian emerged along with the commercial to spread the word about the high says, “Although the gender balance in Internet. number of female senior managers in ICT remains in favour of men, I always GÉANT and thanks several of her female tell women who are interested in a She says, referring to the independent colleagues for her success today, citing career in ICT that they should not see Year 3 review of the project, “I feel the relationships as both inspiring and that as any barrier. The work is so proud that we have been recognised for beneficial for the business . “It was a very rewarding and I really enjoy it – in fact the ‘excellent’ communication and lucky coincidence that the International facilitating this kind of collaboration working spirit between the GÉANT Relations Director for Internet2 (the US makes me feel that our work has the teams, and that such a high number of networking consortium) was a woman potential to make a real difference to women have been involved in making exactly my age. I had lived in America, people’s lives.” the project a world leader in research she had lived in Germany during our and education networking. I look studies, so we clicked, and forward to us working together to take that made it easier for me in the R&E the network and services to the community from the start.” next level.”

12 CONNECT SPECIAL FOCUS

Managing the vast majority (approximately €135 million) of the four NEELIE KROES, EUROPEAN COMMISSION year GN3 budget, GÉANTs female VICE-PRESIDENT FOR THE DIGITAL AGENDA Activity Leaders manage complex, remote teams consisting of operations FOR EUROPE and support staff from across their NREN partners. Strong team leadership “As a passionate advocate for women to as well as a strong vision for the Activity hold leading roles in science and are prerequisites for such a successful technology, I am hugely proud of the project. GÉANT women for their outstanding technological achievements. GÉANT plays CONNECT caught up with GÉANT’s a large role in the ECʼs vision to develop a female Activity Leaders to ask about flourishing digital economy and a powerful their role within the project and their unified research body. That so many thoughts on being a female in the women are involved in delivering this ICT world. makes me immensely honoured and it is my hope to encourage more women in to the science and technology arena.”

ANN HARDING AFRODITE SEVASTI LICIA FLORIO GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER FOR GN3 ACTIVITY LEADER FOR FOR SA2: MULTI-DOMAIN JRA2: MULTI-DOMAIN JRA3: MULTI-DOMAIN USER NETWORK SERVICES NETWORK SERVICES APPLICATION RESEARCH RESEARCH Like Cathrin, Licia is employed by Ann comes from Working for the Greek TERENA, the a non-technical NREN GRNET, Trans-European background. Her Afrodite has a PhD in Research and interest in technology communication Education Networking began in 1996 after networks and is Association, one of she received a responsible for GÉANT’s key detailed technical research and partners, and is response to a question posed about an development of responsible for research into and email problem. This sparked a curiosity network services, to better support end- development of users’ authentication in how information is sorted and to-end collaboration in a multi-domain and authorisation. Having always been transmitted and she went on to study and multi-layer environment across interested in science, she was curious computer science. Today she manages GÉANT and the European NRENs. to know how things worked and the largest Activity in the GN3 project in switched from wanting to become a terms of manpower and is responsible As a young child, Afrodite was physicist to studying computer science. for GÉANT’s multi-domain network particularly interested in the science services. fields, and particularly computer “Working in the ICT sector can be science as a rapidly evolving field. exciting for a woman and there are “It’s great that there are a significant After gaining her degrees, she worked many opportunities for them. I have number of women leading Network and managed projects and services in been lucky to meet so many good Operations positions throughout IT and telecommunications. people, to keep learning new things and Europe. Of course there is always room hopefully there will be more women that for more women in decision making She admits that her leadership position get interested in technology. Women in roles, but GÉANT helps to address this as a woman does raise eyebrows. GÉANT have proved to be as talented by appointing experienced operations “While women do hold positions in and capable as men." managers as Activity Leaders. This industry, and especially within GÉANT, it reflects the flexible, cooperative is not common to meet women in the approach of the GÉANT environment higher echelons within the wider ICT which is mirrored in their offering to industry. But that is changing.” She users. There is no one boilerplate, one loves the multi-cultural, multi- size fits all approach to anything we do. disciplinary environment offered by Everything we do is based around GÉANT and the feeling of giving responding to the needs of others and something back to her country. innovating.”

13 CONNECT NEWS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: BEST PRACTICE FOR NREN s AND CAMPUS

The GÉANT “Green” Team has impact on reduction of global carbon delivered a third report which describes emissions. So, just as GÉANT and its a wide range of initiatives undertaken NREN partners have developed world- by a number of NREN partners, aimed class e-infrastructure for research and at reducing the environmental impact of education, so too can we show the way networks, in particular addressing the in harnessing smart networking to emission of greenhouse gases. The combat climate change. The Green report investigates and recommends Team will be holding follow-on best practice for NRENs and Campus workshops at NREN national networks in a number of areas, conferences and relevant conferences including: power usage efficiency, addressing energy conservation and virtualisation, energy-aware traffic carbon emissions – so look out for them engineering, videoconferencing, or email to find distance working, green public out how ycoun nceacnt g@egt einavnotl.vneedt . purchasing, and purchasing green electricity. The “Study of Environmental Impact: ICT Best Current Practice” available at The overall conclusion is that the role of or . NRENs and Campus networks, in using www.geant.net here ICT intelligently, can indeed make a big

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR R&E NETWORKING?

That’s what the ASPIRE research is specialist knowledge to develop a set finding answers to. ASPIRE has been of preliminary reports and “A Study on the Prospects of the recommendations on four subjects: Internet for Research and Education”, adoption of cloud services; adoption of involving a programme of outreach and mobile services; middleware and consultation across the research and managing data and knowledge in a education community, led by TERENA data-rich world; and the future roles of as part of the GÉANT project. The NRENs. These served as input to the research will culminate in a final, second ASPIRE stakeholder workshop, deliverable report this autumn, which held 13 September in Brussels, at will be made available in PDF download which the final ASPIRE Report and printed formats. was defined.

After the first ASPIRE workshop (May A summary of key recommendations 2011), four panels of invited experts and PDF downloads of the reports can and the ASPIRE team consulted widely, be found at or by used surveys, interviews and their own clicking w.ww.terena.org here

14 CONNECT NEWS GÉANT OPEN EXCHANGE PILOT ANNOUNCED

By Karl Meyer, Product Marketing and Communications Officer, DANTE

Collaboration and connectivity have long been the cornerstones of GÉANT and with the launch of the GÉANT Open Exchange pilot these facilities have been further enhanced.

The need for multi-Gigabit international connectivity between organisations has dramatically increased, placing accelerated demands on research and education networks. Many of these connections may only be required for short periods of time or intermittently, making the provision of dedicated international circuits expensive, complex and hard to manage.

The new exchange, based in Telecity, London, allows interconnection between connect with many other members of This enhancement will help the research organisations present at the Open the exchange simultaneously. By using and education community to access a Exchange without the need for data to the latest MX480 switch equipment wide variety of commercial third parties be transferred across the main GÉANT connectivity can be made using either as part of private/public research network, which simplifies the process 1/10Gigabit Ethernet over LAN-PHY projects or to provide cloud based and frees up capacity. GÉANT Open is and/or WAN-PHY framing. Connections services, private VPNs or any completely protocol neutral and allows can also be made from GÉANT Open application the organisation needs. organisations to interconnect at the through the GÉANT network – this will Layer 2 or Layer 3 interface without any allow onward connectivity to In order to maintain the research and constraints. organisations that are unable to connect education philosophy of GÉANT, directly to GÉANT Open and further commercial organisations will only be GÉANT Open allows each participant increase the flexibility of permitted to interconnect at GÉANT to connect to the exchange at up to interconnections. Open with the support and approval of 10Gbps. This connection can be an NREN. This ensures that investment logically subdivided into separate The selection of Telecity was made as a within the GÉANT project is focused on VLANs allowing the participant to result of its highly available its core principles. GÉANT Open will infrastructure and the presence of a operate as a pilot for the first 12 months multitude of national and international whilst GÉANT define and refine the service providers. This will allow GÉANT operational aspects of the facility and Open to be used to interconnect develop a long term business structure international capacity in a highly flexible for its operation. manner to maximise the return on investment in these international For more details on how GÉANT Open circuits. can benefit your organisation and to apply to join the pilot contact Uniquely, and as a first within Europe, approved commercial organisations will [email protected] be able to connect to GÉANT Open. 15 PARTNER PROFILES

The GÉANT project is a collaboration between 34 project partners: 32 European NRENs, DANTE and TERENA; and four Associate NRENs. Through the NREN partners, GÉANT delivers a range of services across the network for institutions, projects and researchers. In this regular section we take a closer look at some of those NRENs. All information is provided by the NREN partners. PARTNER PROFILE: THE PIONIER NETWORK A NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR APPLIED RESEARCH

By: Prof. Jan W glarz, Academician, Professor (Ph.D. 1974, Habilitation 1977), in the years 1978–1983 Associate Profeęssor and then Professor in the Institute of Computing Science, Pozna University of Technology, member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Director of the Instituńte of Computing Science, Pozna University of Technology, Director of Pozna Supercomputing and Networking Center. ń ń

OVERVIEW OF PIONIER SERVICES: PIONIER – Polish Optical Network is a The PIONIER network offers a broad nationwide high speed optical network range of advanced and versatile and the most important part of services for academic and institutional e-infrastructure for Polish research users: community. The PIONIER consortium consists of 21 Metropolitan Area • Internet access and services Networks (MANs) and 5 High (mail, DNS, IPv6, multicasts, etc.) Performance Computing Centers • Private VPNs (based on dedicated (HPCs) which connect more than 700 optical lambdas or L3/MPLS universities and research institutions ABOUT THE NETWORK: connections) and offer advanced services by over PIONIER is based on its own fiber • Federation of digital libraries 2 million researchers and students. infrastructure (around 7 200 km) built in a • HD Videoconference services The operator and owner of the PIONIER topology of closed rings with fiber • Eduroam services network is Pozna Supercomputing connections to borders of all neighboring • Cloud services and Networking Cńenter (PSNC). countries. The hybrid architecture of • Archiving services PIONIER consists of DWDM optical and • Science interactive HDTV services. IP/MPLS transport network layers. Moreover, PIONIER offers numerous The newest DWDM transmission system advanced application services enables the use of 80 10/40/100 Gbit/s designed for LHC, radio astronomy, optical channels. It covers the whole of telemedicine, e-education or Poland and interconnects all MAN nodes, e-government areas. including branch lines to state borders. The transmission system offers the following functionalities: directionless, colorless, and connectionless with Contact info: GMPLS control which guarantees top level QoS and fast restoration of Poznań Supercomputing services. Currently the network is and Networking Center, equipped with more than 400 10 Gbps ul. Noskowskiego 10, transponders; a new backbone 61-704 Poznań dedicated for coherent 100 Gbps transmissions is under development. tel: (+48 61) 858-20-01 fax: (+48 61) 852-59-54 The international connectivity is e-mail: [email protected] achieved by interconnecting PIONIER to GÉANT, GLIF and other NRENs 16 with Cross Border Fibers. PARTNER PROFILES PARTNER PROFILE: SURFNET By: Jan Michielsen, Technical writer, SURFnet

SURFNET IN BRIEF Major features of the SURFnet7 network: The core building blocks of the SURFnet operates the national research SURFconext infrastructure are: and education network in the • Fast and secure IP connections for Netherlands, to which approximately 1, 10, or 100 Gbit/s. • federated authentication based on 180 Dutch higher education and • On-demand lightpaths. Lightpaths the SAML standard, so that users can research institutions are connected. are direct data connections between securely access all kinds of available These include research universities, two endpoints, bypassing routers services via the same account that universities of applied sciences and providing guaranteed they use at their own institution; [hogescholen], senior secondary bandwidth, high reliability, low delay, • central group management, making vocational schools, university medical and very low jitter. Lightpaths are it possible for access to content and centres and research institutions. available from 250 Mbit/s to 10 functionalities, for example for a Gbit/s (soon also 40 Gbit/s and project team, to be managed Almost one million people access 100 Gbit/s). Researchers can make centrally; SURFnet’s optical fibre network each flexible use of these lightpaths, • a standard data interface for day. Annually, the network processes setting up a connection themselves. exchanging activities, reports, and some 48,000 TB of incoming and This can be done manually but also group information (OpenSocial) with 36,000 TB of outgoing IP traffic. automatically, for example if a cloud applications; SURFnet’s main objective is to ensure researcher in Leiden wants weekly • cloud applications offered by that researchers, instructors, and access to a supercomputer in various providers (for example students can work together simply and effectively with the aid of ICT. SURFnet Amsterdam. Lightpaths can extend Google Apps, Office 365, Liferay therefore promotes, develops, and beyond a single domain, spanning Social Office). operates both a network infrastructure various international NREN and a collaboration infrastructure. boundaries. More information: • Multi-service port (MSP): using http://www.surfconext.nl SURFnet puts in a sustained effort to Carrier Ethernet technology makes it continuously improve the infrastructure possible to provide a number of and to develop new applications and network services from a single services for its users. It is therefore the physical port. Separation of the driving force behind ICT-based innovation traffic on an MSP is based on Virtual in higher education and research in the LAN (VLAN) tagging. This requires Netherlands. SURFnet also collaborates less equipment, and makes it easier with its international peers and is one of to increase the number of ports, i.e. if the leaders among research and an institution wishes to use a lightpath education networks worldwide. in addition to an IP connection. NETWORK COLLABORATION INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE: SURFnet7 – the latest generation of the SURFnet network – was rolled out in SURFCONEXT 2012. SURFnet7 uses 11,000 km of SURFconext is a flexible, open- Contact info: optical fibre connections within the standards-based infrastructure that Phone: +31 (0)30 230 5305 Netherlands and for connections with allows students, instructors, and Fax: +31 (0)30 230 5329 neighbouring countries. The researchers to work together online: E-mail: [email protected] connections between the 21 core locations throughout the country are • using a combination of applications illuminated with CPL (Common Photonic from different providers; Visiting address Layer) optical equipment. CPL makes it • across institutional boundaries. Radboudkwartier 273 possible to illuminate the optical fibre 3511 CK Utrecht connections with a maximum of SURFconext has been developed for The Netherlands 88 different wavelengths that can and in collaboration with the higher transport 10 Gbit/s. education and research sector in the Correspondence address Netherlands. For institutions, the launch P.O. Box 19035 Institutions can be connected directly to of SURFconext offers an occasion to 3501 DA Utrecht these core locations. “GigaMan” join forces and to draw up a common The Netherlands connections and/or region rings also run strategy for online collaboration. At the from these locations, connecting smaller same time, it facilitates lightweight points of presence with the core locations integration of self-hosted institutional so as to connect institutions there. services with (commercial) cloud services. 17 PARTNER PROFILES PARTNER PROFILE: AGENCY ARNIEC/ROEDUNET

By: Dr. Octavian RUSU, Deputy General Director, Agency ARNIEC / RoEduNet

Octavian RUSU has a PhD in Electronic Physics and is Associate Professor at the Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania. He has published around 40 scientific articles and was involved in several national and international research projects in computer networking.

OVERVIEW 64, and 54 lambdas 10 x 1Gbps. The SERVICES calculated metric, according with RoEduNet (the Romanian Academic A full range of IP services are provided TERENA compendium for the whole Network) offers connectivity to more to all connected institutions, including RoEduNet2 network is 137135 Gbps*km than 100 universities and research IPv6. Special circuits were installed calculated by summing all circuits institutes, 350 secondary schools and and tested for the Romanian GRID bandwidth multiplied by each circuit many other cultural institutions and community (Romanian Tier 2 length. governmental departments. The Federation); at this moment there are Romanian NREN officially started to five 10 Gbps and two 1Gbps links in International connectivity for Romanian provide services in 1998 and now has production service for GRID NREN consists of one 10 Gbps link to one million users, supporting communities (directly connected to the GEANT POP in Bucharest hosted by international research collaboration the NREN infrastructure). RoEduNet and two DWS connections through GÉANT. RoEduNet facilitates (2.5 Gbps each) provided by Telia research in its own right in the field of Sonera and Cogent. RoEduNet is also data communication, participates in connected, using multiple 1 Gbps and research projects and provides CONTACT 10 Gbps links, to various local experimental test beds to implement Agency ARNIEC / RoEduNet exchanges, the traffic through theses new services and advanced network Str. Mendeleev 21-25, Sector 1, 010362 points is over 10 Gbps. technologies. The academic network is Bucharest – Romania Tel/Fax: operated by Agency for Administration +40-21-3171175 of National Research and Education www.nren.ro Network (Agency ARNIEC / RoEduNet) INTERNATIONAL [email protected] and in 1998 was named RoEduNet2. COLLABORATION Agency ARNIEC/RoEduNet is a member of TERENA and CEENet and NETWORK participates in various international The communication infrastructure of projects (GÉANT – since 2001, Romanian NREN is based on dark fiber SEEREN, SEEFIRE, CEENGINE, (5636 km owned by the state company SEEREA-EI, NATO grants). Telecomunicatii CFR) enlighten by Ciena DWDM equipment connecting 40 RoEduNet provides support for all counties capitals using multiple 1 Gbps research and academic communities in circuits to seven regional NOCs. As Romania to participate in various backup for this backbone infrastructure, international research projects. 100 Mbps leased lines from telecom Examples of collaborative research operators also connect all counties. projects at European and worldwide Some technical figures: 69 DWDM sites, level are ATLAS, ALICE, HONE, LHCb, 3 100Gbps circuits (National NOC to SEE, SEEGRID, BIOMED, developed on Iasi, Cluj Napoca and Bucharest NOC), the RoEduNet infrastructure by the 35 10 Gbps lambdas, 3 lambdas STM- academic community. 18 GLOBAL REACH GLOBAL NEWS

By Tom Fryer, International Relations Officer, DANTE and Helga Spitaler, Senior Communications Officer, DANTE

AFRICACONNECT PROJECT TO LAUNCH IN DAR ES SALAAM AND LISBON

AfricaConnect, the EC-funded project to research and education networking policymakers coming from all over establish a high-capacity network for community, researchers, policy makers, Europe and Africa. The conference will research and education in Southern and academics, connectivity providers, and represent a unique opportunity for all Eastern Africa will be launched at two a pool of expertise from across Africa parties interested in the ICT domain to events to be held in November 2012, and beyond. More information on increase the visibility and impact of their one in Africa and the other in Europe. UbuntuNet-Connect 2012 can be activities, to network and expand their found . knowledge. In addition to the launch of The African launch will take place at here AfricaConnect, the event will see a UbuntuNet-Connect 2012, the annual In Europe, AfricaConnect will be workshop led by AfricaConnect with the conference of the UbuntuNet Alliance, launched at the EuroAfrica-ICT UbuntuNet Alliance and one led by in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, November Cooperation Forum which will be held in WACREN, the West and Central African 15-16. The conference focuses on Lisbon, Portugal, November 28-29. The Research and Education Network. research and education networking “2012 Africa-EU Cooperation Forum on activities in Africa and though organised ICT” will be an event filled with More information can be found at by the UbuntuNet Alliance, it is hosted discussion and debate, networking by member NRENs. The conference opportunities and knowledge-sharing www.euroafrica-ict.org brings together practitioners in the among key stakeholders in the field and

ELCIRA – CREATING COLLABORATION TOOLS AND SERVICES FOR EUROPE-LATIN AMERICAN RESEARCH COMMUNITIES

Over the two year duration of the project ELCIRA will drive specific actions to ELCIRA will seek to establish determine the scope of a future High collaboration agreements between Latin Quality Video Conference Service American NRENs and their peers in (HQVCS) between Europe and Latin Europe so as to jointly develop America. The project will also foster the technological environments and tools development of a Latin American AAI that can be used to promote interaction (Authentication, Authorisation and among researchers across the two Identity) Federation based upon the regions. Through coordination between Brazil CaFE Federation and its On July 4 in Lima, Peru, the kick-off the partners and the GÉANT community, interoperation with eduGAIN to provide meeting of the EC-funded ELCIRA the project will build upon the tools seamless access to information (Europe Latin America Collaborative e- developed in the EuropeAid-funded services and tools. ELCIRA will also Infrastructure for Research Activities) ALICE2 Project to create a shared seek to increase the implementation of project was held. ELCIRA is an EC- collaboration platform. This platform will eduroam® in Latin America. funded project, led by the Latin be coordinated with tools developed American research and education within the GÉANT (GN3) project in order For further information, contact networking organisation, RedCLARA, to ease collaboration via a portal of and partnered by DANTE and TERENA services, for example a pilot web- [email protected] and the NRENs of Brazil, Colombia, conferencing service and Web 2.0 tools Italy and Spain. for group work.

19 GLOBAL REACH

EUMEDCONNECT3 CaAnNaAdRa’IsE advanced Southern and Eastern CeAnRtrEaN l Asian Research research and Mediterranean research and Education Network innovation network networking www.caren.dante.net www.canarie.ca www.eumedconnect3.net

HiPg-hS-EPeE rformance ESnet IRnetesernaerct2h® and The Energy Computing Infrastructure education Sciences Network for South East Europe’s connectivity for US Research Communities ORIENT plus www.es.net Linking European and universities Chinese Infrastructures www.hp-see.eu and Communities www.internet2.edu At the Heart of Global Research Networkinghttp://www.orientplus.eu

GÉANT Coverage ALICE2-RedCLARA Network EUMEDCONNECT3 Network TEIN3 Network HP-SEE Project AfricaConnect - UbuntuNet Alliance CAREN Network SILK-Afghanistan SARInet Network

Dark Shading: Connected to regional network Light Shading: Eligible to connect

GÉANT and sister networks enabling user collaboration across the globe

May 2012

RedCLARA The Latin American GÉANT is co-funded by the European Commission within its 7th R&D Framework Programme. This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of DANTE Research and and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. UbuntuNet Alliance Education Network Regional Research CTh@e rCibaNriEbTbean and Education www.redclara.net Research and Network for Eastern Education Network and Southern Africa TEIN3 www.ubuntunet.net The Trans-Eurasia www.ckln.org Information Network www.tein3.net

WeAsCt RanEdN Central African Research and Education Network www.wacren.net

20 GLOBAL REACH

GLOBAL COMMUNITY IS ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE SCHOOL COLLABORATIONS

which could be used by schools to help them identify suitable partners across the world. With participants from Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Spain, the United States, Canada, Guatemala, El Salvador and Rwanda as well as the UbuntuNet Alliance, the group discussed a variety of on-line platforms which can meet the group’s objectives and considered ways for those platforms to be promoted to schools and teachers around the world.

A final conclusion will be reached In numerous countries around the world, However, for teachers wishing to set up through further discussion in the coming connectivity for primary and/or high an e-exchange with another school weeks, which the group hopes will schools is provided, directly or elsewhere in the world, it is not easy to include more NRENs from around the indirectly, by National Research and find potential project partners. Often, world where schools benefit from Education Networks (NRENs). By using the ability to find a suitable class research and education connectivity. research and education connectivity, depends on the teacher already having An additional decision of the meeting the ability of classroom teachers and a contact. was to set up a global interest group to their students to interact with other continue discussion in the future on how schools and classes around the world is On September 20, a videoconference, to promote and assist schools in greatly enhanced by providing them organised by the GN3 Task on increasing global collaboration. with the reliability and bandwidth International Cooperation (NA4 Task 1), required for collaboration tools such as JANET (the UK NREN), Internet2 and For further information or to videoconferencing. Bringing students NYSERnet (the New York State participate in the group, contact together in such ways can help break Research and Education Network) was down cultural barriers and bring about held for interested NRENs and other [email protected] greater understanding of other peoples organisations to discuss platforms around the world.

DANTE AND TEIN*CC SET TO COLLABORATE TO CONTINUE THE TEIN SUCCESS STORY

As part of a ceremonial handover of They plan to capitalise on TEIN4 management responsibility for the TEIN activities and promote the long-term network from DANTE to TEIN*CC, the sustainability of research and education two organisations signed an MoU networking in areas of mutual interest in (Memorandum of Understanding) at the the Asia-Pacific region. As part of the recently held APAN Meeting in ceremonial handover from Colombo, Sri Lanka to collaborate on TEIN3/DANTE to TEIN4/TEIN*CC, David projects to benefit the research and West, DANTE's TEIN3 project manager, education communities across Asia- was awarded a plaque from the TEIN Pacific and Europe. community in recognition for his efforts to make TEIN a regional success story.

21 GLOBAL REACH

ORIENTPLUS ENABLES ITALIAN AND CHINESE ASTROPHYSICISTS TO STUDY ONE OF THE MOST PUZZLING PHENOMENA KNOWN TO SCIENCE: COSMIC SHOWERS

The power of ORIENTplus has been As with all research in astrophysics, harnessed as an essential element in studying gamma-ray showers produces enabling a cutting-edge international terabytes of data every year. Only scientific collaboration between research networks can provide the scientists in a remote Tibetan location extremely stable, high-capacity and in Italy, aimed at providing insights connections necessary for the reliable into the mysteries of the universe. transfer of these large volumes of data in real time from where the data is Gamma –ray showers are violently collected, to where it is analysed. In energetic eruptions of high-frequency response to growing capacity demands electromagnetic radiation, caused from end users such as astrophysicists, predominately by the explosion of the ORIENTplus link is to be upgraded massive stars in distant galaxies billions to 10 Gbps, providing an additional of light-years away. They may have a boost to collaborative research and role in cloud formation and climate education. change, radiation exposure on long- distance high-altitude flights and can To view the full case study visit: potentially affect the sensitive electronics on-board the large www.orientplus.eu number of satellites circling our planet – responsible for important communications and geo-monitoring.

CAREN HELPS HARNESS TURKMENISTAN’S SUNSHINE

The high-speed networks of GÉANT and CAREN (Central Asia Research and Education Network) enable close collaboration between European and Turkmen institutions, helping to develop a vibrant solar power industry in Turkmenistan through e-training of local engineers and enabling real-time transmission of solar performance monitoring data.

COLLABORATION TO TRANSFER SOLAR TECHNOLOGY SKILLS Given its climate, with an average of 7.4 hours of sunshine per day, the government of Turkmenistan has made solar power its strategic focus. To develop the engineering skills and All of this information and data To view the full case study visit: technology needed to harness the exchange relies on the speed, capacity power of the sun, Turkmenistan is and reliability of the Central Asian http://caren.dante.net working closely with European experts CAREN and pan-European GÉANT to deliver distance learning, skills research networks, enabling seamless transfer and solar cell performance intercontinental collaboration. monitoring. 22 GLOBAL REACH

STATUS OF C@RIBNET

EARLIER THIS YEAR THE and taking advantage of new and agricultural, disaster management and CARIBBEAN KNOWLEDGE diverse programmes and educational many other entities that contribute to the opportunities. There are also greater public good. C@ribNET represents a AND LEARNING NETWORK prospects for tertiary institutions to strategic response to the global (CKLN) COMPLETED THE expand joint degree programs, to imperatives CARICOM member states FIRST PHASE OF ITS develop more collaborative, joint have endorsed, such as the Millennium distance programmes, such as the Early Development Goals (2015) and the PROJECT TO IMPLEMENT Childhood Education Diploma World Summit on the Information AND OPERATE THE programme now in production between Society (WSIS), which we are all CARIBBEAN RESEARCH Shortwood Teacher’s College of feverishly working to advance. Jamaica and the T.A. Marryshow AND EDUCATION Community College of Grenada. I want to stress that C@ribNET is for the NETWORK, C@RIBNET. public good which means that no one Research in the Caribbean also stands can be excluded from consuming it, just HERE KEN SYLVESTER, to greatly benefit - by providing remote as we are entitled to national defence, CEO OF CKLN TALKS access to resources not readily sewer systems, public parks, roads etc. available in the region (e.g. specialized Notwithstanding our respective views on ABOUT THE REGIONʼS instruments, super computers, etc.) how these are delivered, they are rights FIRST DEDICATED there is the potential to greatly enable that the people of the Caribbean and RESEARCH AND and enhance the research initiatives of worldwide, have come to expect. EDUCATION NETWORK. Caribbean research and knowledge Therefore, the transfer and sharing of centres, such as the Tropical knowledge is also an entitlement, and We are grateful to the European Union Metabolism Research Institute (TMRI), C@ribNET is a vehicle that can be and all those who helped make the Caribbean Disaster Emergency utilized to share knowledge, between C@ribNET a reality. Now that it’s here Response Agency (CDERA) or the and among our people in the region, the possibilities are endless and we are Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and and with people in the rest of the world. working hard to inform key stakeholders Hydrology (CIMH) and many others. about the benefits of having access to For the full article, visit such a network. It's important to say that this network www.ckln.org belongs to the governments and people Many of these benefits are in teaching of the region, to the teaching and and learning - with more opportunities learning institutions, to research for Caribbean citizens to access tertiary departments and institutions, libraries, education at significantly reduced costs healthcare, cultural, sporting,

23 USER FOCUS GÉANT AND EMSA - PROTECTING EUROPE’S SEAS FROM POLLUTION

CleanSeaNet uses GÉANT and its NREN partners to transmit satellite data in real-time to detect and monitor maritime oil spills

Cutting marine pollution, such Oil spills change rapidly depending on as oil spills, is central to wind and tidal conditions, so it is vital “Speed is of the essence that satellite data is transmitted as when it comes to reducing the safeguarding the quickly as possible. CleanSeaNet aims environment. However the to provide alerts to relevant member effects of oil spills in European sheer size of European seas, states within 30 minutes, enabling them waters which is why to react quickly and to reduce the CleanSeaNet has been cre - stretching south from the environmental impact. Arctic to the Canary Islands in ated, enabling EMSA to pro - the Atlantic and east to the Given the enormous range of satellite vide fast warnings of potential Black Sea combined with the images, which cover up to 250,000 km2 pollution to coastal states. and can reach sizes of over 1 Gb, it is Given the need to transmit number of vessels travelling difficult to send these files economically through them makes through commercial networks in near huge files in extremely tight detecting and collecting real-time. CleanSeaNet relies upon timeframes CleanSeaNet GÉANT and National Research and uses the high speed and high evidence on polluters similar Education Networks (NRENs) to deliver to finding a needle in a this vital data within strict time limits. bandwidth provided by haystack. GÉANT and Europeʼs national research networks. They support our CleanSeaNet To help meet this need for faster and Since CleanSeaNet went live in more detailed monitoring the European 2007 the number of oil spills service, helping to protect Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) detected on the images taken in European seas from developed the CleanSeaNet service. European waters has decreased by pollution.” This combines satellite data with half. While this is due to a range of powerful Geographic Information factors including better ship design Olaf Trieschmann, Systems (GIS) to provide a real-time and greater environmental Senior Project Officer, service for monitoring oil pollution and awareness, CleanSeaNet has collecting evidence of potential proved to be a strong deterrent tool CleanSeaNet polluting vessels. These results can in safeguarding the European then be used by authorities in the maritime environment. relevant country to take action to clean For the full case study, please visit up spills and prosecute offenders. CleanSeaNet was created through an www.geant.net EU directive as part of on-going efforts to decrease maritime pollution. 24 USER FOCUS

CREATING A GLOBAL PLATFORM TO COMBAT ALZHEIMER’S outGRID and GÉANT are enabling scientists and doctors across the globe to share vital neuroscience data, helping accelerate research into Alzheimer’s.

With a new case of dementia The outGRID project used high “Neurodegenerative diseases are one every 24 seconds in Europe, bandwidth research networks to of the biggest challenges for global demonstrate the feasibility of human health, predicted to affect over Alzheimer’s disease is the connecting global neuroscience 115 million people by 2050. With no most common form of infrastructures from Europe and North known cure, concerted research neurodegenerative dementia. America, laying the foundations for collaboration is absolutely vital if we are future interoperability. Together with to better understand conditions such as Yet with no current cure, GÉANT and its partners, the project is Alzheimer’s and begin to create drugs scientists and doctors around laying the foundations for dramatic to combat them. Research networks the world are working closely changes in global scientific such as GÉANT are at the heart of this collaboration in neurodegenerative collaboration – without their combination together to research these diseases, promising to accelerate of robust, high speed connectivity and damaging neurodegenerative research and treatment methods for global reach we simply couldn’t brain conditions, both to help Alzheimer’s and potentially easing exchange the enormous amounts of faster diagnosis and to suffering for millions of people across information that these initiatives are the globe. collecting.” pinpoint causes and potential treatments. For the full case study, visit Dr Giovanni Frisoni, outGRID www.geant.net

25 COMMUNITY NEWS

GÉANT is a vital part of the European research e-infrastructure, which includes high performance networking, distributed computing infrastructures, supercomputing and data storage. Here we welcome our many partners to shed light on their activities.

NEW STRATEGY AND POLICY PAPERS FOR E-IRG By Ari Turunen, Communications Manager, Cloud Software Program

Research and innovation are ESTABLISH e-IRG AS DEVELOP e-IRG AS THE strategic elements for European THE MAIN ADVISORY COORDINATION PLATFORM competitiveness in the world. BODY ON FOR ALL COMPONENTS The European e-Infrastructures e-INFRASTRUCTURES OF EUROPEAN are developing into an INTERNATIONALLY e-INFRASTRUCTURES interrelated ecosystem of When preparing its views, e-IRG will give e-IRG should strongly facilitate the networking and high- ample room to discussion on different international coordination of e-Infrastructure options or scenarios, and give a voice to the activities and the presentation of all different throughput/high-performance challenging visions of external experts. components to users as integrated computing components that e-Infrastructure services. This is vital for interact with virtual research e-IRG can act as an external and neutral users. Facilitating the coordination of advisor and expert by producing reports and e-Infrastructure components should definitely communities worldwide. Other analysis as well as pinpointing the strengths, include the data infrastructures, in view of important constituents of the e- weaknesses, opportunities and threats of any their growing importance for enabling Infrastructure ecosystem, such given project or initiative, and by giving e-Science. e-IRG should also stimulate the solutions and revealing possible synergies of development of policies, structures and as infrastructures for data and cooperation with other projects and/or services to facilitate the creation of value software-related services, are initiatives. from data (d-Science). rapidly emerging in projects and A strengthened advisory role within e- The strategy document includes an action informal international Infrastructures requires fully embracing the plan to realise the strategic goals. collaborations. challenges of data-intensive science (d- Science) and infrastructures for data services. The data challenges have a considerable impact on the other e- BLUE PAPER ON DATA e-IRG’S NEW STRATEGY: Infrastructure components. Therefore e-IRG MANAGEMENT 2012 INSPIRING FUTURE must also be able to provide advice on the ESFRI invited e-IRG to produce this report to e-INFRASTRUCTURES IN consequences of these data challenges for enable more efficient e-Infrastructure support those components, such as on management, for the science that is done by the ESFRI EUROPE AND BEYOND sustainability, legal issues, access, security, projects. The continuing internationalisation of the user interoperability, etc. community requires clarification of the roles In the emerging era of Open Science, of local, national, European and global Embracing the data area will also strengthen research infrastructures play a fundamental initiatives, especially at the organisational, the links between e-Infrastructures and the role as major data production factories. e- political and financial levels. data-generating research facilities and Infrastructures provide the tools for creating infrastructures, again underlining the special the added value from data, as well as the e-IRG has to continuously re-engineer its role ties to ESFRI and its roadmap projects. Of technologies for implementing appropriate if it is to carry on providing high quality, well- equal importance is the engagement of e- security and data protection policies. e-IRG founded input with an unique added-value IRG with end users of the data-producing has published a Blue Paper on Data for the further development of the e- research infrastructures. They may require Management. It describes some basic data Infrastructure that can best serve European advanced e-Infrastructure services but not management principles for research research purposes. e-IRG will adapt its yet have any organisations that can take care infrastructures and focuses on cross-cutting strategic objectives along two main lines: of their common interest. themes for all research infrastructures related Establish e-IRG as the main advisory body to data management. It provides an on e-Infrastructures internationally and assessment of Europe’s e-Infrastructure develop e-IRG as the coordination platform service portfolio, and identifies the for all components of European opportunities and challenges involved. e-Infrastructures

26 COMMUNITY NEWS

THEY ARE THE EGI CHAMPIONS

By Neasan O’Neill, The Blue Paper reports on current trends and issues and sets out policy recommendations NGI Communications Coordinator for several key areas, especially for ESFRI projects. The European Grid The Blue Paper identifies the most important areas of data management addressing the Infrastructure (EGI) has following topics: announced a new initiative

• Data e-Infrastructure to help researchers get up • Reliability and Replications to speed with the grid and • Metadata start using it. Officially • Unified Access and interoperability • Security announced at the EGI Technical Forum in Prague the scheme will establish a e-IRG POLICY PAPER ON network of pioneering SCIENTIFIC SOFTWARE researchers, called EGI With the successful establishment of a European e-Infrastructure ecosystem, how to Champions, promoting the maintain and improve the scientific software use of grid in their field. base has become an urgent issue. Many applications depend on legacy software that is difficult to maintain and difficult to run efficiently on current and future e- In the last decade the European grid Infrastructures. There is a clear need for a has seen an amazing increase in coherent process and major efforts targeted capability and users. Many towards enhancing the European software researchers have benefited, with But what is a Champion and what is base for efficient use of European e- areas as diverse as High Energy expected of them? Firstly, and Infrastructures to increase the scientific Physics and Humanities being importantly, they need to be output while ensuring the best value for supported by EGI to do cutting edge enthusiastic users of EGI computing money. work. For EGI this is not enough and resources, and secondly, willing to go In view of the upcoming Horizon2020 they want many more scientists to out and talk to others in their discipline program there is a clear need to develop a make use of their services. This is about grid. “We want people to get consistent framework and related policies for where the Champions come in. out there and tell their peers about us. establishing a European Software Strategy We can’t go to every conference or taking a holistic view of the national, One of the main benefits of a 10-year- meeting but the Champions can” says European, and international ecosystem. old infrastructure is the expertise and Steve “We will provide support with experience that has been built up access to technical briefings, the This e-IRG Policy Paper aims to laying the ground for a European software strategy. The alongside the technical tools and latest news and cover travel costs for focus is on "scientific software", that is solutions. Through the Champions, relevant meetings.” software that is primarily used in research EGI hopes to be able to offer not only and development, both within academic middleware but also this peopleware. EGI hopes that the Champions and industrial environments. “The community is king in EGI, that’s scheme will grow into a pan-European why we are here; to provide network with researchers from all The report proposes as its main computing resources for our growing corners of the academic world helping recommendation that to address the software community” explains Steve Brewer, EGI and their community. If you are crisis, the EC and the member states should provide support and funding for the EGI’s Chief Community Officer “the interested in learning more, visit the Champions will enable us to further scheme’s or watch a establishment of Centres of Excellence for webpage Scientific Software (CESS), currently focusing expand our userbase and we’re now from the e-ScienceTalk team video on scientific software on the application layer looking for the right people for us to of Steve talking about the using a holistic approach and building up support to do that.” EGI Champions. and retaining the necessary competence of future European software developers. The strategy and policy papers are available at . www.e-irg.eu

27 COMMUNITY NEWS NORDIC NRENS TOWARDS THE FUTURE

By Mattis Daae, UNINETT

The NORDUnet conference is the biannual meeting place for the “Networkers of the North” where interested parties in the Nordic countries come together to discuss the current and future challenges that the Nordic NRENs are facing. Over the years the Nordic focus has been seasoned with global news and views which was also true for this 27th NORDUnet conference in Oslo, Norway.

NORDUnet CONFERENCE IN OSLO, NORWAY 18th-20th SEPTEMBER2012

areas for the NRENs in the future. CHANGES IN AMERICAN THE NORDIC Creating, using and maintaining NETWORKING EDUCATION PERSPECTIVES middleware will be crucial. In this field MEETING PLACE Several of the speakers at the One interesting aspect that waMeets your networking wcommunity.e also saw examples of new types of conference focused on the changes discussed at the conferenceUniversities, is the NREN’s, Nordic,coo Europeanperation between the public and we are seeing in education. Research difference in American and Euandrop globalean colleagues callo broughtmmer cial interests. and education is shifting out of the perspectives. In the US most of thtogethere under one roof. classroom and onto the net. An estimate innovation focuses on the core network NUMBERS SHOWCASE predicts that in 2020, 80 per cent or and is trying to simplify the Existing collaborations, more of the lectures will take place infrastructure by (among other things) The conferencfuturee g adevelopments,thered 22 0 pipeline via the net. building a 10 gigabit network, based participants ideas,from current 23 co challenges,untries. recentIn results – we cover the lot. on SDN and open flow. addition more than 400 people from This also gives the NRENs new 27 countries followed the video stream. More than 80 people gave challenges. For one the increase in MORE INFORMATION capacity can never stop if we are EDUROAM http://www.nordu.net/conferencepresentations. going to be able to cope with the eduroam is one of the really big increased demand. Furthermore the European success stories. So far We registered 625 unique NRENs also have to look at what other Eduroam has been limited to communications devices on the roles it is important to play in the universities and colleges, but the conference SSID, roughly 3 gadgets per future. We should provide more than evidence points to a more widespread person. 480 of these were connected just connectivity. “Users are choosers” use. Sweden has so far made eduroam via eduroam and 83 percent of these was one of the key principles of the available at train stations, airports requested IPv6. conference. Identifying the user, and hotels. and not least, identifying its needs The next conference will be held in becomes more and more vital, in order IDENTITY Sweden in 2014. We hope to see to be able to provide the right type you there. and range of services. MANAGEMENT There is no doubt that identity management will be one of the main 28 ABOUT GÉANT

GÉANT is the pan-European research and education www.geant.net network that interconnects Europe’s National Research and Education Networks (NRENs). Together we www.twitter.com/GEANTnews connect over 40 million researchers and students across Europe, facilitating collaborative research in a diverse range of disciplines, including high-energy www.facebook.com/GEANTnetwork physics, radio astronomy, bio-medicine, climate change, earth observation and arts & culture. www.youtube.com/GEANTtv

GÉANT Partners

ACOnet IUCC AARNIEC/RoEduNet www.aco.net www.iucc.ac.il www.nren.ro

Belnet GARR AMRES www.belnet.be www.garr.net www.amres.ac.rs

BREN SigmaNet SANET www.bren.bg www.sigmanet.lv www.sanet.sk

CARNet LITNET ARNES www.carnet.hr www.litnet.lt www.arnes.si

CyNET RESTENA RedIRIS www.cynet.ac.cy www.restena.lu www.rediris.es

CESNET MARNet SWITCH www.ces.net dns.marnet.net.mk www.switch.ch

EENet University of Malta ULAKBIM www.eenet.ee www.um.edu.mt www.ulakbim.gov.tr

RENATER MREN JANET www.renater.fr www.mren.ac.me www.ja.net

DFN SURFnet DANTE www.dfn.de www.surfnet.nl www.dante.net

GRNET NORDUnet TERENA www.grnet.gr www.nordu.net www.terena.org

NIIF PSNC www.niif.hu www.man.poznan.pl

HEAnet FCCN www.heanet.ie www.fccn.pt Backbone topology as at March 2012.2012. GÉANT is operated by DANTE on behalf of Europe’sEurope’s NRENs.

Austria Associate NRENs

BASNET RENAM www.bas-net.by www.renam.md

!"#$" Belarus#$ MoldovaMoldova %& Ukraine JSCC URAN www.jscc.ru www.uran.net.ua Associate NRENs

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This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of DANTE and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. CONNECT/1012