SHIPS, TRAINS, PLANES,CANALS, THE TRANS-CANADA, INTERSTATE, MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR A YEAR IN TRANSITION NEW PROJECTS | ACADEMIC CURRENT PROJECT MANAGEMENT The last year has marked a significant turning point for this The transition from Netera to Cybera has proceeded well Cybera was created as a result of the hard work CANADIAN SPACE SCIENCE DATA PORTAL GEOCHRONOS EEE (EcOSYS EXPERIMENT ENVIRONMENT) WESTGRID AUTOBAHN, AIRPORT, STATION, organization. It has represented an evolution in the way we and we have made substantial steps towards building a base of the Cyberinfrastructure Task Force, led by think, operate and contribute to Alberta’s information and for implementing a broader mandate. Netera was a national the CIOs of the Universities of Alberta and The goal of this project is to enable and simplify researcher access to The goal of this project is to develop a gateway to equip earth The Ecosys Modeling Program is dedicated to the construction WestGrid is a $60 million project that operates high performance communications technology landscape. leader over two decades in providing advanced research Calgary: Paul Sorenson and Harold Esche. The space science analytic tools and data. The Canadian Space Science observation scientists with tools to develop new collaborative and testing of a comprehensive mathematical model (“ecosys”) of computing (HPC), collaboration and visualization infrastructure across network infrastructure for the benefit of its members and task force recommended the creation of a Data Portal (CSSDP) stands to shape the development of the space approaches to data analysis. The expected result is an innovative plat- natural and managed ecosystems (agriculture, forests, savannah, western Canada. It encompasses 14 partner institutions across British WHISTLE-STOP, DESTINATION, Cybera was established last July to provide leadership and stakeholders. Cybera’s challenge is to build on Netera’s single entity to provide leadership and expertise science community as well as help refine productivity safeguards for form that will harness the benefits of social networking technologies grassland, tundra, desert). The long-term objectives of this program Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. expertise in Alberta Cyberinfrastructure for Innovation. This is legacy and support the full range of cyberinfrastructure in the broad area of “Cyberinfrastructure in Canadian industries impacted by space weather phenomena. The and extend them into the scientific community. Researchers will be are to provide a means to anticipate ecosystem behaviour under an exciting role as we continue to lead the charge in both needed to respond to the ever-growing and complex needs Alberta.” The task force included representation expected result is a seamless interface that supports and strengthens able to monitor natural resources in cooperative ways to minimize different environmental conditions (soils, climates and management WestGrid was the first resource provider in Canada to adopt a grid- CORNER GAS, WATER, ELECTRICITY, Alberta and across Canada to actively develop, support and of Alberta’s research institutions and innovators, both public from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Canadian efforts in international space missions, space data analytics our environmental impacts and contribute to an improved quality practices). This research program supports planning for the impacts enabled system for its HPC, collaboration and scientific visualization leverage cyberinfrastructure applications. and private. Medical Research (AHFMR), Alberta Ingenuity, and space science discoveries. A collaborative virtual organization of of life for all Canadians. This project is innovative as it represents a of climate, land use practices and soil management on primary resources. Its user community extends across Canada in disciplines the Informatics Circle of Research Excellence space science researchers from across North America will shape the critical collaborative building block for a globally distributed and productivity, soil and atmospheric quality and associated resource ranging from the sciences and engineering to arts and humanities. Since the successful transition from Netera Alliance to Knowledge and innovation are fuelling Alberta’s new (iCORE), the Ministry of Advanced Education development of the CSSDP. The project is innovative as it leverages expanding research community. With this project, Canada has an requirements (e.g. water, fertilizer) of terrestrial ecosystems as WestGrid has a cohesive team of technical staff and system architects PHONES, CABLE, CARGO, FREIGHT, Cybera, we’ve begun work on a number of academic and economy as we increasingly recognize that these are critical and Technology, WestGrid, Netera Alliance, a combination of research domain specialists, development experts opportunity to maintain a competitive and influential role within the part of several national and international research programs. As to support these users. industry-led pilot projects that build and demonstrate components to adding value and thereby ensuring our the Universities of Alberta, Calgary and and cyberinfrastructure. Canada will benefit by maintaining a global earth observation research community. GeoChronos aims to part of Cybera’s Ecosys Experiment Environment (EEE) project, cyberinfrastructure applications. In this time we’ve been able competitive position in a rapidly changing world. Alberta’s Lethbridge, and Athabasca University. competitive role and reputation in the international space science remain at the international forefront of discovering technologically the Grid Research Centre has developed a system that facilitates During 2007-08, Cybera provided project management to WestGrid to support researchers who gather, share and experiment with newly elected government recognizes that responding community. Research findings from this project will have influential innovative solutions related to issues of biodiversity, cumulative land researchers in conducting an “ecosys experiment.” By incorporating through a variety of administration and communications activities. INFORMATION COMMUNICATION, massive amounts of data, as well as develop applications that positively to this challenge is key to our future prosperity The five-year business plan, bylaws, and board industry applications, allowing electrical, airline, pipeline and other use impact, climate change and pollution impacts on ecosystems. various cyberinfrastructure components, the system eliminates the These included: allow Alberta industry to access compute cycles and complex and quality of life. The government has confirmed its of directors were determined in summer 2007. satellite-sensitive sectors to better protect their systems from the dependence on a programmer. The project incorporates workflow • Annual seminar series analytics tools. These and future Cybera projects are selected Lynn Sutherland Seamus O’Shea commitment to its 20-year strategic plan, which highlights The vision is to build on the 14-year history disruptive impacts of space weather fluctuations. management, metascheduling, grid middleware, data management • Annual conference NETWORKS, DATABASES, to complement each other and build up cyberinfrastructure President & CEO Chair, Board of Directors a vision to create the “environment and infrastructure of Cybera’s predecessors: Netera Alliance and reusable web portlets. • Website expertise and capabilities in Alberta. that enables knowledge and technology to invigorate our (2000) and WURCNet (1993). Netera Alliance • Intranet for working groups traditional economic strengths and to create new economic officially transitioned into Cybera Inc. in June MILESTONES MILESTONES MILESTONES • Researcher surveys Going forward, we will ensure that Alberta’s academic and industry research and development opportunities.” 2007 to integrate and leverage past provincial • September 2007 Cybera pilot project initiated • September 2007 Cybera pilot project initiated • September 2007 Cybera pilot project initiated • Financial administration SENSORS, TELEPRESENCE, communities have access to the cyberinfrastructure expertise and resources they will need in the information and communications technology • October 2007 CSSDP presented at Cybera • October 2007 GeoChronos presented at Cybera • March 2008 EEE pilot project prototype demonstrated at years to come. We are seeking out new international partnerships, recruiting leaders, creating Cybera’s role involves planning and implementing the advanced networks needed to implement investments as well as acquire new resources Cyberinfrastructure Summit in Banff Cyberinfrastructure Summit in Banff Cybera’s Lunch ‘n Learn event in Edmonton an international advisory committee, exploring new models for pooling cyber-resources, and this vision and coordinating with other initiatives, such as SuperNet, to ensure seamless support through partnerships with public and private • November 2007 Expression of Interest submitted to CANARIE’s • November 2007 Expression of Interest submitted to CANARIE’s • April 2008 EEE pilot project completed and in use GRID RESEARCH CENTRE MIDDLEWARE, SERVICE- investigating green cyberinfrastructure. We are building the capabilities and programs to ensure for Alberta’s innovation system. It involves creating the national and regional computational grids sector partners. Network-Enabled Platforms (NEP) fund NEP fund that Alberta continues to be a leader in Canada, and ultimately