Real Varsity 2008 IPTV Broadcast JANET(UK) Appoints New Chair

Number 4 June 2008

janetNews

Real Varsity 2008 IPTV Broadcast Page 3 JANET(UK) Appoints New Chair Page 4 300th member of the UK Federation Page 7 Networkshop 36 - Strathclyde University, Glasgow Pages 10 & 11 Contents ChiefEditorial Executive’s Letter

Main Stories 3 JANET launched in April 1984, springing fully formed from the pre-existing SERCnet of the Science & Engineering Research Real Varsity 2008 IPTV Broadcast Council. Its remit was to link together the UK’s universities and JANET wins Government Computing Research Councils. Its main use was to shift large quantities of shared services award research data from one location to another. JANET(UK) Appoints New Chair It might have come as quite a surprise to JANET’s founders to JANET Gears Up for New Netsight Release learn that it would one day be used to broadcast rugby matches. IPTV rears its head twice in this edition of JANET News. On Hear, Hear, Say the Schools page 4 there is a report on the IPTV broadcast of the 2008 Real New Videoconferencing Partnering Varsity rugby match between Loughborough University and Team Programme for Schools and Colleges Bath – over JANET, naturally. Meanwhile page 8 reports that Happy Birthday JANET txt JANET(UK) has formed an IPTV Special Interest Group to help The UK Federation understand how JANET-connected organisations are dealing with IPTV, and what JANET(UK) needs to do to support this. 300th Member of the UK Federation In the history of networking, advances have always come from Lost in the Access Management Maze? responding to user needs rather than dictating them. JANET has always JANET Aurora Tests Next-Generation Networks been the medium, leaving the messages to its users. JANET’s primary purpose is to support UK education and research, and that is how it Development Update 9 defines its user community; but what that community then requires of JANET is up to those users. There is no secret JANET committee that Internet TV on JANET - Special Interest Group frowningly studies JANET usage to decree what is and is not in line with the JANET vision; rather, there are Special Interest Groups and Community Update 10 Networkshop and account managers that listen to the requirements Networkshop 36 at Strathclyde University, Glasgow of the community and help JANET respond to them. More Early Adopters of the N3 JANET Gateway The rugby match was not just broadcast to please Loughborough’s sporting aficionados – though it did of course demonstrate the Imperial War Museum joins JANET Community university’s excellence in sport. Such demonstrations have underlying Schools Videoconferencing User Group Meeting university business benefits as well as progressing the technology – a – 21st April 2008 principle that can be applied by any JANET connected organisation. From JANET’s point of view, it also demonstrated the possibilities Security Update 14 of the backbone’s high-speed, multicast-enabled infrastructure; and Is Your Site Deploying 802.1X Technology? as the article concludes, “The event sets a bar for future streaming multimedia productions, both academic and non-academic, within the Training and Events Update 15 JANET community.” JANET CSIRT Conference JANET(UK) is currently working with a number of student-focused IPTV based projects, including INUK’s Unibox TV and the Open Plus events and training dates for your diary. Student Television Network (OSTN); and also, at the other end of the scale, with organisations such as the IET to deliver scholarly lectures. Recent Publications 16 The range of academic activities made possible by TV is enormous. Videoconferencing with your students enables other interactive tools to be brought online as well to enhance the session; access opens up to a huge range of resources; and the medium encourages collaboration between students, researchers and organisations. Key to all this, and to all future development, is a very high standard of transmission – and that is what JANET provides. That is why at Networkshop 36 in April there was discussion on delivering not just standard definition TV services but also HD, ultra HD and other TV-enhancing technologies. This would have been extremely forward thinking in 1984; in 2008 these are all well on the way to being elementary requirements for any network. JANET gets there first.

Front cover image: Masks in Kelvingrove museum, Glasgow, Ben Jeapes venue for the Networkshop 36 conference dinner. Technical Editor [email protected]

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Real Varsity 2008 IPTV Broadcast

April 2008 saw the culmination of months University. Initial expectations were for a static encoder kindly loaned to the University by of planning on the part of Loughborough camera covering the whole field that would be Tandberg UK. Unibox student TV supported the University’s IT and Media Services departments accessible from the Internet. Whilst being perfectly event, bringing some invaluable technical guidance and its student union TV station (LSUTV), leading feasible with JANET’s high-speed, multicast- and, importantly, additional camera equipment to to the IPTV broadcast of the 2008 Real Varsity enabled, infrastructure and multiple, high-speed, increase the number of concurrent feeds available rugby match against Team Bath. peerings with the wider Internet, this would not to the programme director. The show was Planning started in February 2008 as the have demonstrated the best use of the technology broadcast live across the Internet for four and a impact of social IT networking was articulated by now available to the industry. half hours, covering both the men’s and women’s Loughborough’s Director of IT, Dr Phil Richards. The IT Services department within matches with live commentary and score The power of the global Internet, combined with Loughborough has a very good working relationship cards, a studio presenter with pundit interviews, the bandwidth and facilities available on the JANET with LSUTV. The quality of their programming is pre-recorded interview segments and features, network, allows organisations to reach far wider exceptional and LSUTV have won many awards team line-up graphics and a pitch-side roving than terrestrial or satellite broadcasting; students, in various areas due to this. Following discussions, reporter. Within excess of 3,000 fans in the prospective students, alumni – anyone could be the Real Varsity rugby match appeared to be purpose built stadium around the First XV pitch watching from all around the world. the ideal project for a joint venture to produce and wins in both matches for Loughborough, the a more entertaining and atmosphere was electric and made for an amazing professional programme show. In addition to being watched live on the whilst showcasing modern Internet we were also asked to provide a live feed technology and the benefits of our coverage into the VIP area of the hospitality of the JANET network. Inuk suite for match attendees and various communal Networks were enthusiastic locations at Loughborough University and other for the programming to be JANET connected sites. available via their Freewire The quality of the content produced by LSUTV platform on an exclusive and Loughborough’s Network and Security team student generated content in IT Services, coupled with the performance of channel and this seemed world-leading JANET, has set a high bar for future like a natural partnership. streaming multimedia productions, both academic At 16:45 on 30 April and non-academic, within the JANET community. Photo: Seamus McDonagh programming went live with The responsibility for the technical aspects a selection of unicast and multicast video streams Gary Parker of televising this year’s Real Varsity match over in MPEG4 and H.264 formats, generated using Loughborough University the Internet was given to Gary Parker from the Vara Software’s Wirecast3 application, Apple’s IPTV Special Interest Group Member Network and Security team at Loughborough QuickTime Streaming Server and an EN5930 [email protected]

JANET wins Government Computing shared services award

JANET won the Shared Services category at the the eGovernment awards earlier this year this is UK e-Science Programme Government Computing Awards for Innovation. further confirmation of the tangible benefits that said: “I am delighted that the The awards were launched in 1996 and provide JANET delivers to both its customers and the tax JANET team has received this accolades for public sector organisations that have payer . Driven by the exacting demands of research award. They provide services harnessed technology to provide better services and higher education the benefits of the network which are internationally competitive and really and a better deal for the taxpayer. The award was are then able to be shared to meet demands right serve the UK academic community. In such a fast presented by Michael White of the Guardian. across the UK educational landscape.’ moving field, they are always looking to innovate Tim Marshall, Chief Executive of JANET(UK) Sir David Wallace, Director of the Newton and have a proven track record in doing so. commented: ‘Following on from our success in Institute at Cambridge and formerly chair of the The award is thoroughly deserved.”

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JANET(UK) Appoints New Chair

JANET(UK) has appointed a new Chair from He has overseen key developments and P r o f e s s o r August 1st. Oxford University alumnus Roger changes within JANET(UK). We are delighted David Eastwood, McClure has recently retired as Chief Executive that Roger McClure will be joining us, bringing Chief Executive of the Scottish Funding Council. His informed his distinguished track record and experience.’ of HEFCE, said: ‘ knowledge of JANET’s stakeholder community Dr Malcolm Read, Executive Secretary I am confident that provides him with a unique insight into the of JISC, said: ‘I’m delighted that Roger Roger McClure needs and challenges of this important sector. McClure has been appointed to the post. will use his wide knowledge of HE and the Tim Marshall – CEO, JANET(UK) said ’We We at JISC look forward to engaging in different stakeholders to take JANET(UK) are very grateful to the current incumbent a positive and strategic dialogue with the forward as it meets the challenges for all its Professor Peters for his period of chairmanship. Board.’ users ’ JANET Gears Up for New Netsight Release

Summer 2008 will see the release of the data after three months, replacing it with daily enable the collection of further measurement 2nd generation JANET Netsight. The service averages and maximums. Detail is thus lost. types. For example, previous JANET(UK) provides visibility of current and past JANET A central database makes all data available projects, such as the QoS project, have used performance and is available to organisations with at one point. The original stored data locally on the IP-SLA functionality of sets of distributed JANET primary connections and the Regional regionally based machines. A user requiring data Cisco® routers to create networks of dedicated Network Operators. The new system is built for x regions thus needed to access x machines. test nodes. IP-SLA is capable of providing extra on a powerful, extensible architecture, designed measurement types, including jitter. Plans exist to support our vision for its measurement and Initial Release to deploy IP-SLA nodes at various points across monitoring activities. The initial release of the new system will the network, which will accept tests from ‘master’ Developed in-house and deployed in have broadly equivalent functionality to that of nodes in the core. 2002, the original Netsight grew from just two the original system. The system will collect traffic Keeping data at its full resolution (no servers at the then-UKERNA offices and JANET data from router interfaces and run ping tests, aggregation) combined with additional Network Operations Centre to a presence with the data presented via graphs of traffic measurement types will provide users with a in each Regional Network. The tool is much levels, availability and Round Trip Time; traffic richer view of JANET performance. used by organisations and Regional Networks light pages; and a schematic map of the network Returning to the SuperJANET5 ‘visability’ alike, and while Netsight is not an operational core. requirement, an area for future focus will be network management tool, providing end sites That said, the initial release does offer the dissemination of Netsight data to academic with visibility of the network and their own immediate improvements: researchers within the JANET community. connections is an essential part of the overall The new Netsight’s flexible user permissions JANET service. • Graphing supports flexible (‘click and and extensible architecture have been in part Today’s JANET community has greater drag’) selection of timescales. designed to meet this need. JANET(UK) has also measurement and monitoring needs, as • Schematic network maps can be defined developed a legal and policy framework for the highlighted by the high-level SuperJANET5 for regional and local areas, featuring release of data, which will be anonymised where project requirement to improve ‘visibility’. In clickable areas which allow users to ‘drill appropriate. response, JANET(UK) worked with an external down’ for more local detail. JANET(UK) is also procuring a new solution software house (Tessella) to develop the second • Ability to annotate graphs for particular for the analysis of network flow data. Correlation generation Netsight. paths, e.g. to explain past outages. of NetFlow and Netsight data is highly desirable, allowing us to relate analysis of how the network • Users can be sent alert e-mails based on Major Improvements is used (NetFlow) with ‘how much’ and ‘when’ it pre-defined test conditions (initially is used (Netsight). Work is now progressing to Migrating to a central, relational database available to ja.net e-mail addresses only). realises two major advantages: it supports see how these two aspects might be brought • Resilience of data collection and delivery powerful analysis and removes the need for data together in the future. aggregation (averaging). Both Netsights make The Future Mark Leese measurements at one or five minute intervals, however the original system removes raw Subsequent releases of the new Netsight will Measurement & Monitoring Technical Specialist build on the system’s extensible architecture to [email protected]

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Hear, Hear, Say the Schools

JANET Collaborate teamed up with prison system. Students had the opportunity A pack of preparation materials was sent Parliament’s Education Service in May to offer a to meet a Victorian prison governor and a to schools in advance of the sessions, including new interactive videoconferencing programme long-term prisoner as they talked about their background information and discussion topics, for Primary and Secondary schools. This was experiences of life in Pentonville Prison. to help students prepare their arguments in available to schools via the JANET Collaborate During the workshop, the children advance of debating the issues involved. videoconferencing pilot, an interactive online were encouraged to engage with both ‘We are delighted to be helping Parliament interface which links schools, colleges, characters, played by costumed actors, deliver this videoconferencing programme to universities and content providers and to ask questions before being led schools,’ said Tim Boundy, Schools Content Co- looking to initiate, join or deliver specific into a debate on the issues surrounding ordinator at JANET(UK). ‘We hope that JANET conferences and conference topics. the prison system and its purpose. Collaborate will continue to play a key role The first of the hour-long Parliament Students had the chance to explore in facilitating this and future exciting initiatives.’ videoconference sessions focused on what prison is for and whether the issue of Prison Reform, bringing it works from both historical Tim Boundy to life the role of Parliament, both and contemporary angles; Schools Content Co-ordinator historically and in the present developments in the prison [email protected] time. The conferences included system and the role played by the opportunity for students Parliament in its reform; as well to communicate directly with as the future of prisons today. To find out more and register for free on members of the House of Each workshop was JANET Collaborate for similar opportunities, please visit: www.janetcollaborate.ac.uk Commons or House of Lords. concluded by a member of the Set amidst the backdrop of House of Commons or House Victorian prison reform, the of Lords, who discussed the role session was based in 1878 as the of Parliament in relation to this government took control of the issue.

New Videoconferencing Partnering Programme for Schools and Colleges

A new programme from JANET Collaborate Currently partnerships are available for all The JANET Videoconferencing Service allows schools and colleges to find another year groups. Interest can be registered and a (JVCS) now has almost 3000 school venues partner school or college to videoconference partner requested by clicking ‘Join’ on one of the registered with more joining every month. It is with on any topic or in any age group. VC Partner opportunity pages. There are also estimated that around two thirds of the schools A growing numbers of teachers and schools partnerships for schools in both rural and inner- conferences booked via JVCS are school-to- have access to videoconferencing technology. city communities to compare lifestyles with a school videoconferences. The remaining third The VC Partners service is designed to allow school from the opposite environment. involve a school and an educational content schools to share educational opportunities Once two members of JANET Collaborate provider such as a museum, library or archive. with other schools, working collaboratively with have joined the same VC Partner opportunity Ideas for content and activities will shortly partners across the country. they are introduced and provided with guidance also be available via the VC Partners programme Teachers and lectures can find the VC towards using videoconferencing to collaborate. on JANET Collaborate. Partner opportunities on JANET Collaborate by The VC Partners programme has got off searching for the term ‘partner’ on the JANET to an excellent start; it went live on Thursday Tim Boundy Collaborate site. ‘We signed up last week and got 24 April and on the first day of launching the Schools Content Co-ordinator a partner school within half an hour! It seems service, 7 partnerships between 14 schools [email protected] to work well,’ says Mike Prince, Headteacher at were created. These partnerships span different Staveley CE Primary School. cultural, geographical and year groups.

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Happy Birthday JANET txt

The service has a multitude of administrative applications and is continually JANET(UK) and PageOne have been selected providing benefits to communications and as finalists for the Best Service Category for the marketing activities. It is making its way into 2008 GO Awards which reward excellence in Business Continuity Plans for many JANET public procurement. connected organisations. Notifications of EMA payments for college students proved particularly useful during the postal strikes; the service also proved its worth JANET txt to Integrate with Moodle during the recent teachers’ strike where SMS was used as a key communication The user base of the JANET txt messaging tool for teachers, parents, guardians and service will expand with an open source Launched on 7 May 2007, JANET txt has administrators; and a key impact has been add-on module for the Moodle Virtual reached its first birthday as a service to the the application of text messaging for development Learning Environment (VLE). Developed by JANET community. JANET txt is a suite of and mentoring purposes, particularly with special PageOne in conjunction with Kidderminster web-based SMS services which allow users needs students and vulnerable adults. College, MoodleMobile lets Moodle users to communicate via text messaging for a Anyone wishing any additional information send and receive text messages directly within multitude of educational applications. can find it at: http://www.pageone.co.uk/janettxt Moodle using JANET txt. It will launch this The service had been taken up by almost summer and be free to download. 120 JANET connected organisations from all Paul Wakefield sectors across education, with 1.25 million JANET Account Manager http://www.pageone.co.uk/janettxt/moodle.aspx messages sold into the community. [email protected]

The UK Federation

The UK Access Management Federation authentication systems such as IP address Organisations still planning to migrate to for Education and Research continues to based checks; and the fact that the federation federated access management have a range of grow rapidly, with membership passing 300 is free at the point of use for educational participation options available: organisations. organisations and service providers. • deploy software such as Shibboleth, which One of the big drivers in the growth of Organisations that have joined the federation at this time is deployed by over 95% of take-up is associated with the availability of are now considering how to use federation members educational software and content within the technology to help them consolidate the • commission the deployment of suitable federation from service providers that include management of access to internal services and software by a third party provider the BBC, Microsoft and Science Direct. At the allow them to provide access to these services • outsource their identity management time of writing JISC Collections predicts that at to other partner and customer organisations, solution to a third party. least 72% of the content services it procures in line with the government’s drive towards Further details of these options are will be available within the federation by the shared services. available from http://www.ukfederation.org. end of July. Already 80% of Becta’s schools The technology underpinning the uk/content/Documents/Participation Learning Platform providers have deployed UK federation continues to develop rapidly with Access Management Federation technology, the release of Shibboleth 2 by Internet2 Henry Hughes with the remainder committed to become and the development work undertaken Middleware Group Manager members. by the OASIS standards body. To ensure Strategic Technologies As well as simplified access to electronic that the federation keeps pace with the [email protected] resources, other reasons why organisations join developing environment, an updated version the federation include improvement in privacy of the federation development roadmap will protection for students and teachers; security shortly be available from the federation web improvements in moving away from legacy site.

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300th Member of the UK Federation

YHGfL, the Yorkshire Humber Grid for Learning, has become the 300th member of the UK Access Management Federation. Frances Burton, JANET(UK)’s Schools Co-ordinator for the UK federation, and John Chapman, Project Adviser: Strategic Technologies at Becta travelled to the YHGfL offices in Scunthorpe on 25th April to present CEO Phil Moore with a plaque to celebrate the event. YHGfL joins a growing number of Regional Broadband Consortia and Local Authorities that are helping schools to take advantage of simplified and secure access to online content and resources. The federation is operated by JANET(UK) on behalf of Becta and JISC, and brings the Left to right: Frances Burton, JANET(UK); Phil Moore, YHGFL; John Chapman, Becta entire UK education and research sector a step closer to achieving single sign-on to and Becta’s National Digital Infrastructure Phil Moore commented, ‘We see network and online resources. For schools, framework makes recommendations for digital membership of the federation as an important the federation helps address government security. Authentication via the federation and logical step towards securing eSafety objectives such as the Harnessing Technology forms part of this framework, protecting for all learners in our region. The benefits of e-strategy which advocates ‘anytime, anywhere’ personal data and preserving the privacy of membership are significant and will enable us access to educational material. Participating its users. Federated access management allows to be more responsive to the needs of our in the federation enables schools to meet children to have access to trusted online consortium of local authorities.’ the requirements of Becta’s ICT technical educational sources, and as no personal data infrastructure framework. is released during authentication, organisations Frances Burton The Government’s e-safety initiative refers can more easily comply with Data Protection Schools Co-ordinator – UK Federation both to education and ICT infrastructure, Act (DPA) requirements. [email protected]

Lost in the Access Management Maze?

At the beginning of the year, JANET Training of doing so. This course will be relevant against a reference Shibboleth Service launched two oneday courses on topics to anyone interested in knowing more Provider. This technical course is aimed at relating to the UK Access Management about the UK federation, particularly those anyone responsible for implementing a Federation. Both of these courses are led by involved with implementing the service production federated access management individuals who are working at the forefront of or deciding on deployment strategies. service who has system administration skills Delegates do not need to come from a with either Windows Server 2003 or Red the roll-out of the UK federation and actively technical background but due to the nature Hat Linux. involved in supporting organisations in this of the topic, some technical terminology area. Development of a further course on will be used. the implementation and configuration of a • Introduction to the UK Federation • Implementing Shibboleth at your Shibboleth Service Provider is planned for provides an overview of what’s required Organisation provides a number of September this year. of organisations wishing to join the UK hands-on labs for delegates to work federation. The course includes suggested through centred around the installation Further details, dates and online booking ways of deploying UK federated access and advanced configuration of a Shibboleth are available at: http://www.ja.net/services/ management and the likely challenges Identity Provider. This will then be tested training/courses.html

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JANET Aurora and Next-Generation Networks

An experimental network testing project funded by the DTI and EPSRC is using the JANET Aurora dark fibre infrastructure as a Introducing JANET Aurora core facility. The HIPNet (Heterogeneous IP networks) One of the largest test-beds in Europe Following acceptance of the infrastructure project (www.hipnetproject.org) is run by a for optical networking, JANET Aurora is a in December 2007, research staff have been consortium of five universities (Aston, Cambridge, dark-fibre facility to support photonics and installing transmission equipment to commission Essex, Leeds and Swansea) and three industrial optical systems research and was described in Aurora as a platform to support their projects, partners (Ericsson, Freescale Semiconductor December’s JANET News 2. With 350 km of and the research work has now begun. The first and Emerson). Through the combined use of dedicated fibre, it enables research groups to phase of use involves extending existing projects simulations and experimental network testing, undertake research and development projects to take advantage of the new facility, and this will the project aims to better understand the on new optical networking techniques and evolve to supporting new projects as they are implications of converged service delivery concepts in an environment without the funded. One of the first projects to use Aurora across heterogeneous wired/wireless networks, constraints of production services with their is the DTI and EPSRC funded HIPNet project and to develop methods and techniques that attendant service level agreements. which is described in more detail here. Future economically ensure the required end-to-end The research topics will range from greatly articles will cover the work of other projects as quality of service for multiple heterogeneous increased transmission rates when compared they become established services in next generation networks. The with current norms (10Gb/s), to closer interaction http://www.ja.net/services/aurora/ project will conclude in June 2009 with industrial between the applications using the networks, and and academic network testbed demonstrators. the networks themselves. The results of these David Salmon The academic network testbed will be hosted projects may in turn influence the features to be by Cambridge and Essex universities and found in future commercial systems which will Research Support Unit Manager demonstrate the transportation of a variety of underpin networks such as JANET. [email protected] current and future traffic types across an agile, multi-layer network employing future optical and demonstrate the optical technologies by the wireless technologies. simultaneous transportation of heterogeneous The JANET Aurora link enables Cambridge signals consisting of multiple protocols, and Essex universities to function as a joint modulation formats and bit-rates between virtual research centre and to share research the sites. The optical impairment-aware network resources, services and test equipment, algorithms developed and verified through amalgamating the complementary expertise and network simulations will also be validated facilities at both organisations to enable a larger across the link between the sites for and more representative network to be evaluated a variety of bit-rates and modulation formats. than could otherwise have been achieved. Traffic Through the experimental validation of the emulators have been constructed to produce network simulations of traffic and network large quantities of data flows, representative of behaviour, it is anticipated that a better real services such as streaming video, interactive understanding of the control and management video, IP telephony, data traffic, peer-to-peer requirements will be gained for next-generation and other future services. The performance of networks. Indeed, it is anticipated that the real applications and services in the presence of hardware infrastructure developed within these controllable background traffic sources will HIPNet will help to spawn further projects that be monitored in network congestion scenarios will rely and make use of this unique JANET to evaluate the multi-layer traffic management Aurora network infrastructure. techniques and concepts developed within the project. Kenneth Guild Photonic switching at the optical layer is Senior Lecturer, University of Essex key to alleviating future congestion at network hotspots as it will provide optical bandwidth Adrian Wonfor to the electrically switched layers dynamically Senior Research Associate, and on-demand. The photonic switching Photonic Systems group, nodes located at the universities will help University of Cambridge

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JANET Aurora and Next-Generation Networks Internet TV on JANET - Special Interest Group

JANET(UK) has formed an IPTV Special limited to pay per view type video download The adoption of video on demand was also Interest Group whose role will be to services linked in with a set-top box and a a key topic for discussion over the last few help understand how JANET connected hard drive. To the user it may appear that the months. Linear – i.e. traditionally broadcast organisational strategies are dealing with package of TV services are delivered over an – TV may not be the appropriate model for IPTV, and in turn what JANET(UK) needs to IP connection, but for those domestic DSL media delivery. The take-up of services such do to support this. users, thankfully this is not the case! as BBC i-player, in isolation, may suggest that The company is also in the early stages of In true JANET style, the community is not video on-demand (VoD) is the future, but it is working with the BBC to satisfied with simple standard definition TV more likely that a combination of push and pull help understand how services being delivered. At Networkshop media – media that is broadcast out to users access to BBC online this year numerous discussions took place and video on demand pulled down by users – content services on how we can push boundaries with the will be at the core of any future services. can be improved. incorporation of High Definition (HD) TV For further information please visit Exploratory work services, and even ultra HD services used by www.ja.net/iptv is also underway the CineGRID community such as 4K. with CineGRID Ever increasing bandwidth seems to be the Roger Bolam and the JANET only scalable way to fully embrace HD. While Voice and Video Development Manager community to moves are being made to increase the current [email protected] help understand freeview spectrum to accommodate HD, is this how ultra High too little too late? Cable is not everywhere Definition technologies and not everyone wants a house on the side such as 4K (i.e. video with of their satellite dish! 4000 pixels of horizontal resolution; and soon 8K (8000 pixels)) can be effectively used on JANET, depending upon coding; these technologies require multiple gigabits of bandwidth so careful consideration will be focused on how best to operate these technologies within the JANET environment. JANET will continue to work with content and service providers in this area where there is a clear benefit to the JANET community.

Past, Present and Future

Throughout 2007 and early 2008 we have seen IPTV become an increasingly prevalent technology throughout the JANET community. Whether this takes the form of traditional television services delivered on JANET, the delivery and viewing of user produced content or the use of streamed video clips, the package of audio and visual services contained under the IPTV umbrella has arrived. The nature of JANET, and more importantly the JANET community, means that currently IPTV is used on a much larger scale than most other network communities in the UK. IPTV providers are in the early throes of understanding how IP can be used to deliver TV; however at present these are mostly

9 Community Update

Networkshop 36 at Strathclyde University, Glasgow

On the 8th to 10th April, Networkshop 36 was perspective on the transition to VoIP, providing regional network hosted at Strathclyde University in Glasgow, a valuable insight to anyone thinking of taking developments, returning to the city where Networkshop this path. Network access, privacy and security Mobile IP and began in 1977. The event was centred around were the hot topics in the remainder of the Location Awareness the magnificent Barony building, with the main sessions. Trials, and the use of plenary sessions and registration being held in The evening saw a return to the exhibition lightpaths in research its Great Hall. This year’s accommodation was marquee, where a reception was laid on for in the JANET community. The afternoon held in two separate hotels, rather than halls all delegates, speakers and exhibitors. The sessions consisted of talks surrounding of residence as in previous years. Those lucky exhibition comprised of 40+ stands, with a 802.1X supplicant, network technology enough to be based within the Travel Inn had wide variety of products and services on display. development and IPTV which included a only a 10 minute gentle stroll to the university. Each exhibitor enticed delegates in a variety of live demonstration and broadcast on a local The remainder based in Jurys Inn had a more different ways, including competitions, freebies, community radio station. Both parallel sessions challenging, yet scenic, 25 minute uphill walk chocolate monkeys and even a tarot card offered the opportunity for exhibitors to give through the city centre to reach the university, reader! An early(ish!) night followed, leaving us relevant presentations to the Networkshop if they were unlucky enough to miss the early all fresh for the following day. community. morning bus! For like minded people who wished to The Barony Great Hall and the university’s Lightpaths and Salvador Dali discuss the finer details of presentation topics lecture theatres in the John Anderson Building Wednesday began with a plenary session further, Birds of a Feather sessions were open provided a prime location for the range of providing an update on standards and a to all at the end of each day. parallel and plenary presentations on offer glimpse into the future of wireless technology On Wednesday evening the conference through the course of Networkshop. by Matthew Gast of Trapeze Networks. This dinner was held in the impressive surroundings was followed by an informative talk on Digital of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Deep Sea Fibres and Chocolate Monkeys

This year Derek Law of Strathclyde University opened, with an engaging and entertaining introduction, welcoming us all to Networkshop 36. He continued on with his talk entitled ‘Lean mean and green: enhancing the University research machine’ outlining a university’s perspective on current and future JANET services. Following this, an update on the year’s activities was provided in the form of a double act by Jeremy Sharp, Head of JANET(UK) Strategic Technology and Tim Kidd, Head of JANET(UK) Operations. This entertaining presentation included an informative piece on the finer details of maintaining deep sea fibres as used in the JANET infrastructure. The afternoon’s events moved into Parallel sessions, offering a wide variety of presentations for people to attend. Topics ranged from VoIP, to network engineering and security, with the addition of a number of interesting presentations by a selection of the where we were greeted by a champagne exhibitors at Networkshop. Video Broadcasting over the Internet by Erik reception and freedom to roam through the The VoIP session began with an overview Huizer of Technicolor. marvellous exhibitions from around the world, of the recently launched JANET Talk Trial. Two Parallel sessions took place throughout including a prized Salvador Dali painting. A further talks explored a carrier’s and universitys the day. The morning sessions covered

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warm greeting was issued to all by the Lord Networkshop 36 at Strathclyde University, Glasgow Provost of Glasgow’s Baillie, welcoming us to the city. The dinner was held in the grand surroundings of the Centre Hall, where delegates were presented with a three course meal consisting of some of the finest local produce, to the delight of many. The meal gave everyone the opportunity to mingle with their peers in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The final day of Networkshop saw the last set of parallel sessions, including a lively talk by Mark Leese of JANET(UK) on Network Measurement and Monitoring. Other sessions focused on campus residential networking and a separate session on Shibboleth. After some brief refreshments, the final presentation and closing speeches were made by Phil Male from Thus Plc and Tim Marshall of JANET(UK). The flight home allowed us to reflect on an enjoyable, if exhausting Networkshop. All those who attended will agree that they gained

Networkshop Online is now available to all EdLab users. The area includes presentation videos, audio clips and discussion boards. http://www.ja.net/services/training/edlab.html

a plethora of knowledge during the event, with the opportunity to use this information in their own organisations. Thank you to the organisers of the event. We look forward to next year’s Networkshop at the University of Cambridge.

David Richardson [email protected]

Emma Smith [email protected] Voice and Video Team Members

11 http://www.ja.net

More Early Adopters of the N3 JANET Gateway

for Health has agreed that it is an NHS Trust NHS HE Forum News responsibility to ensure that information The latest NHS-HE Forum took place on governance is in place for sessions initiated 14th May in London. This was the fourteenth within N3 (the NHS) that access external such meeting since 2001 and the last one sites, such as on JANET. The University of as chair for its instigator, Professor Roland Birmingham has the appropriate mechanisms Rosner. There will be a fuller report next time. for research ethics approval, security and Presentations will be available at www.nhs-he. confidentiality already in place. org.uk as soon as possible. JANET(UK) was approached by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute because the Malcolm Teague Institute was concerned about the response time for NHS clinicians adding details to its NHS-HE Coordinator chromosome anomaly database, DECIPHER, [email protected] using the general N3 access to the internet. It is currently evaluating any improvements using the N3 JANET Gateway. These join the existing early adopters: the five Universities in the North East of England The University of Birmingham Department and their NHS Trust partners (CETL4Health of Primary Care and General Practice and NE project) and the University of Bristol and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have University of West of England working with become the latest two early adopters to use their Clinical Academies in NHS Trusts in Avon, the N3 JANET Gateway. Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Somerset. The University of Birmingham early adopter Discussions and developments are represents a significant breakthrough as this proceeding with others interested in becoming for the first time involves patient identifiable early adopters. data across the Gateway. NHS Connecting

Imperial War Museum joins JANET Community

Wishing to make full use of the wide range new development – Collections of JANET services, the Imperial War Museum Online –provides online searchable has started the process of enabling JANET resources and databases, and many connections for its main sites in London, schools and colleges make use of the Duxford and Salford. innovative videoconference sessions The Imperial War Museum seeks to provided by the museum as part of provide for, and to encourage, the study and the National Curriculum agenda. understanding of the history of modern war and war-time experience from the First World Rob Prabucki War to the present day. As well as its main sites, Business Manager (Local Authorities) other sites include the Cabinet War Rooms [email protected] and HMS Belfast on the Thames. An exciting

12 http://www.ja.net

More Early Adopters of the N3 JANET Gateway Schools Videoconferencing User Group Meeting – 21st April 2008

The second Schools Videoconferencing showed how they used videoconferencing month or so for users who have User Group Meeting took place on 21 April to promote interactive learning across regular meetings. 2008 at the National Maritime Museum in the curriculum and how they used online JANET is currently running a Greenwich, London. characters to bring the subjects to life; the procurement to replace the The group consists of a mix of content footballers by posing questions to modern JVCS core infrastructure providers, educational institutions and other and latter day footballers and, in Cambridge which should see a organisations involved in videoconferencing Motivate, interacting with people who replacement of one of the at school level. In the true spirit of the event, use maths and science in their daily lives. MCUs this year. The new equipment is some individuals joined the meeting via Tim Arnold and Steve Cayley from Devon expected to incorporate new features such videoconference. Education Services chose the event to launch as High Definition capabilities, and improved The event, organised by Heather Pettitt a new book, Videoconferencing Across the data-sharing. from South East Grid for Learning, and Curriculum. This includes case studies from Lara also introduced a planned new sponsored by JANET(UK) was kicked off by different organisations and guidelines for best service, JANET Videoconferencing Recording practice. It also includes a ‘getting started’ and Streaming. This facility would allow users section, gives ideas for using videoconferencing to record and/or stream live events and then, and helps with the preparation, management once completed, download the recording to and support required for anyone wanting to their system for future use. Procurement of use this technology. The book can also help this service is currently taking place and will teachers with lesson planning, and help those depend upon equipment suitability and costs. interested in spreading their wings to find UK The event was a useful opportunity for and international partners. attendees to put forward their requirements for In the afternoon the group linked up videoconferencing over JANET and to do some Tim Boundy, Schools Content Co-ordinator to the US where a similar “The User Group plan to hold networking with their at JANET(UK) who gave an overview of the group was holding a meeting peers and content similar events in the future,” current figures for videoconferencing over the on videoconferencing providers. There network. The number of videoconferences activities across the pond. says Heather Pettitt. “The next will doubtless be a has doubled and in some cases tripled year It was interesting to share meeting is likely to concentrate lot of collaborative on year with the current figure reaching over ideas and learn from their on a 'workshop' format so activities born out 12,000; this is expected to reach 20,000 during experience. From the smaller groups can come of the event, some the summer term. This technology has had discussions that ensued, it together and discuss issues such of which may involve collaboration with considerable impact on the schools sector, was apparent that there as technical development and facilitating collaboration between content were plenty of opportunities the US user group; providers and other peer groups to bring the to link up with America classroom pedagogy.” there is already talk of classroom experience to life. for videoconferencing activities, including expanding the ‘London Live’ event to include With the new JANET Collaborate pilot ‘Read around the planet’, an annual project a wider remit, and plans for the Olympics due to complete its first phase of the project which the organiser Sue Porter was keen to 2012 generated lots of interest throughout (June 2008), Tim gave an update on activities promote. the group. Feedback from the meeting will to dateand took the opportunity to get Lara Van de Langeryt, Videoconferencing be used to shape future developments within feedback from the group and invite them Service Co-ordinator at JANET(UK) gave JANET(UK)’s videoconferencing activities. to shape the direction for phase two of the an update on JVCS which included more For further information on JANET project. Popular issues raised were additional flexible management tools already available videoconferencing, please see www. search functionality, additional content for in the Booking Service, and anticipated new ja.net/jvcs or to see some of the current Wales and other non-English areas, and further features for this year. These features include videoconferencing opportunities, visit JANET integration with JANET Videoconferencing an overhaul of the Booking Service’s current Collaborate at www.ja.net/collaborate. Service (JVCS). user interface to improve usability and an The Videoconferencing User Group also integration of the JVCS and On-Demand Rachel Freeman invited guest speakers, including Peter Evans of services. There are also plans to introduce Communications Manager the National Football Museum and Jenny Gage a recurrent booking feature in the next [email protected] from the Cambridge Motivate project. Both

13 Security Update

Is Your Site Deploying 802.1X Technology?

This year has seen an increase in JANET- Restricting the network access for these to this, JANET(UK) has published a Technical connected organisations deploying 802.1X infected computers is within the remit of most Guide to 802.1X deployment written by Scott technology to secure campus wired and networking providers at any organisation. Armitage, Dr Alan Buxey and Matthew Cook of wireless networks. The IEEE standard 802.1X 802.1X together with other systems can Loughborough University. provides a mechanism for network port help by providing the facility to quarantine The new technical guide provides an access control and manages the process of compromised computers. overview of the technology, before outlining authenticating and authorising attached devices steps for technical implementation; which over the wired or wireless network. 802.1X Implementing 802.1X includes enabling a site for JANET Roaming. has become a popular topic, as demonstrated The implementation of 802.1X does not Desktop supplicant configuration guides are in the parallel sessions at Networkshop 36. mean existing web-based logins have to be included for the major operating systems and abandoned. 802.1X can happily co-exist with for the platform-agnostic OpenSEA supplicant, A Valuable Tool these. In most cases having an alternative which is being developed by multiple bodies, Providing secure network access within large solution is preferential as some devices may including members of the JANET community organisations is at best challenging and at worst not be capable of 802.1X authentication. Also a working within the OpenSEA Alliance. near impossible. Users want the ability to be dual system allows for a smoother transition of able to start up their operating system and have clients from the old system to 802.1X. Matthew Cook instantaneous network access. However this is Major changes such as the introduction of Network & Security Manager usually in conflict with the organisational need to 802.1X will almost certainly create concerns Loughborough University prevent unauthorised access to the network and amongst various people involved in the process. JANET(UK) Contracted Trainer also to provide accountability of users’ actions. The process of introduction will most likely involve [email protected] The very purpose of 802.1X is to control a consultation process with the stakeholders, as port access and prevent unauthorised users it represents a fundamental change to the way from using your network. The obvious advantage users access the network and is a process which JANET 802.1x project page to this technology is that people who are not requires planning. Implementing 802.1X in an http://www.ja.net/development/ members of your organisation or authorised educational environment is a major undertaking middleware/802.1x-supplicant.html visitors will be denied access to your network. and should not be undertaken without proper 802.1X is superior to other older technologies preparation. which may already be implemented; significant weaknesses can be found in the ability to spoof New Technical Guide key elements of devices connecting. Most sites where 802.1X is fully deployed 802.1X can be a valuable tool in preventing are new builds or smaller self-contained sites. electronic crime as it is often very difficult to The deployment of this port security technology secure every socket that a visitor could gain is complex and requires careful planning and access to. However, stopping unknown users is project management. The time consuming not where the 802.1X functionality ends. Every nature and complexity of 802.1X has been large network is likely to have seen computers cited as the main reason sites are holding back, which have been compromised by viruses, from implementation now as a direct response worms and trojans.

The guide is available from: http://www.ja.net/services/publications/technical-guides.html

14 Training and Events Update

JANET CSIRT Conference 23rd October 2008, Holywell Park Campus, Loughborough University

JANET(UK) in conjunction with the JANET The conferences tend to be fairly short for exchange of ideas and of course the social community are together planning the 6th to allow the majority of delegates to networking which takes place in events such JANET CSIRT Security Conference to be travel to and from the venue, on the same as these. Please forward any comments or held on 23rd October 2008 at Loughborough day; therefore it is usual to have a full suggestions to [email protected] University. programme of short presentations with I would appreciate hearing from members adequate breaks for networking and Wally Jackson of the community with ideas for content or discussion. This does not exclude the odd JANET CSIRT Manager recommendations for speakers. longer presentation if an abridged version [email protected] I would also welcome volunteers from might lose its punch. the community to present a security based The security conferences have been very or security topical talk/presentation to like well supported and accepted by the community minded members of the JANET community. in the past and have been an excellent forum

Forthcoming Courses Forthcoming

JUNE Events Introduction to JANET June 11th - Bristol JANET IPv6 Briefing Basic Router Configuration June 12th 2008 - Bristol 11th June 2008 Information Security Policies June 12th 2008 - London Lakeside Centre Introduction to DNS June 26th 2008 - Glasgow Aston University JULY Aston Triangle Birmingham Basic Networking July 4th 2008 - Birmingham B4 7ET Introduction to UK Federation July 10th 2008 - London

Implementing Shibboleth at your Organisation July 11th 2008 - London JANET Strategic Briefing Firewalls: Planning and Implementation July 22nd 2008 - Birmingham 16th June 2008 Introduction to DNS July 23rd 2008 - Birmingham The Royal College of Physicians (RCOP) Using Logfiles for Security July 29th 2008 - Taunton 11 St Andrews Place Firewalls: Planning and Implementation July 31st 2008 - London Regent's Park London AUGUST NW1 4LE Managing IT Security August 6th 2008 - Manchester

Introduction to DNS August 12th 2008 - Manchester

Introduction to the UK federation August 20th 2008 - Cambridge Implementing Shibboleth at your Organisation August 21st 2008 - Cambridge Events Calendar

Dates and online booking for all courses are available on our website. http://www.ja.net/services A mailing list is available for the distribution of information regarding JANET training courses. Discussion of training requirements relating to the JANET network, suggestions for new courses, locations or course frequencies are also /events/calendar-2008.html welcomed. To join this list, access the JISCmail site at: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/lists/janet-training.html

15 http://www.ja.net

Recent Publications Requests for publications should be sent to: [email protected]

Reports Technical Documentation Service Documentation Quarterly Report to the Community IPv6 Management Briefing Document JANET Supporting Research November 2007-January 2008 020(04/08) 010(03/08) http://www.ja.net/services/publications/reports/ http://www.ja.net/documents/development/ http://www.ja.net/documents/communities/ quarterly-report/qr-winter07/ network-engineering/ipv6-man-brief.pdf jvcs-cp-policyv2.0.pdf

JANET Report 2007 IEEE 802.1X Implementation at JANET Development Programme http://www.ja.net/documents/publications/ JANET-Connected Organisations 024(04/08) reports/janet-report/report2007.pdf 022 (04/08) http://www.ja.net/documents/development/ http://www.ja.net/documents/publications/ development-booklet.pdf Corporate Plan 2007-2010 technical-guides/8021x-tg-web.pdf http://www.ja.net/documents/publications/ corporate-plan-2007.pdf

Newsletters JANET News 3 http://www.ja.net/documents/publications/ news/news-3.pdf

JANET(UK) manages the operation and development of JANET, the United Kingdom’s education and research network, on behalf of the combined UK Higher and Further Education Funding Councils represented by JISC How to contact JANET(UK) (Joint Information Systems Committee). JANET(UK) Copyright: Lumen House This document is copyright the JNT Association trading as JANET(UK). Parts of it, as appropriate, may be freely Library Avenue copied and incorporated unaltered into another document unless produced for commercial gain, subject to Harwell Science & Innovation Campus the source being appropriately acknowledged and the copyright preserved. The reproduction of logos without DIDCOT permission is expressly forbidden. Permission should be sought from the JANET Service Desk. Oxfordshire Trademarks OX11 0SG JANET® and JANET(UK)® are registered trademarks of the Higher Education Funding Councils for England, Tel: +44(0) 1235 822 200 Scotland and Wales. The JNT Association is the registered user of these trademarks. Networkshop® and Fax: +44(0) 1235 822 399 EdLab® are registered trademarks of the JNT Association. Disclaimer JANET Service Desk The information contained herein is believed to be correct at the time of issue, but no liability can be accepted Tel: 0870 850 2212 for any inaccuracies. The reader is reminded that changes may have taken place since issue, particularly in rapidly Fax: 0870 850 2213 changing areas such as internet addressing, and consequently URLs and e-mail addresses should be used with caution. The JNT Association cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or damage resulting from the use of E-mail: [email protected] the material contained herein.

JANET CSIRT Availability Further copies of this document may be obtained from the JANET Service Desk at the address on the left. Tel: 0870 850 2340 This document is also available electronically from: http://www.ja.net/services/publications/janet-news/ Fax: 0870 850 2341 E-mail: [email protected] © The JNT Association 2008 Published by the JNT Association – ISSN 1755-2397 To be added to or removed from the mailing list for JANET News, e-mail [email protected] or use the JANET(UK) contact information above. Printed on recycled paper