The “R” in R&E NetworksGPN Survey and Observations

Quilt Member MeetingBoston Ma. Sept. 2010

Claude Garelik and Myron Lowe

What is GPN?

GPN

• 6 Executive Council members• 3 Affiliate members• Colocation with Internet2 and ESnet in

Kansas City at Level3• 2x10G to I2• 2x10G to ESnet

What is our role?

• Strategic Planning – What should our role be with respect to research?

• What has our role been?• What message should we give our

constituents?• What message should we give our

financial supporters?• Asking ourselves these questions

prompted our survey

GPN Research Engagement

• Researchers are focused on science• Waiting for researchers to come to you• Research engagement is already part of

the GPN strategic plan• Research advisory council• Annual meetings in partnership with

research community

The Survey Process

• CI advisory group formed• Rick McMullen, U. of Kans. Chair • Mike Abbiatti, AREON• Gary Allen, U. of Mo., GPN Executive Council• Guy Almes, Director, Academy for Advanced Texas A & M (external

member)• James Deaton, ONENET & GPN Executive Council• Claude Garelik, SD Board of Regents & GPN Executive Council Chair• Del Johnson, SDSU & GPN Representative Council• Myron Lowe, UMN & GPN Representative Council• Henry Neeman, OU• James Rice, SDSU, SD EPSCoR Director• Ron Roeber, UNL• Gordon Springer, MU• David Swanson, UNL & Holland Computing Center

The Survey Instruments

• First survey instrument was too broad• Audience too broad• Difficult to collate and focus on needs• Need to better define the audience

• Second survey instrument more focused on researchers using technology• Clarify services being requested• Better information collation• Better able to assess priorities

The Survey Results

• Executive Summary (Word Document)• CI Committee recommendations to Executive Committee• Rank ordering of responses from survey• Grouping of responses ordered within group

• No surprise• Advanced networking, HPC and storage

• Surprises• Breadth of services identified• Requests for information about regional activities

• Lessons learned• Need for better methods/processes to engage and gather

information from the research population

Next Steps

• GPN Executive Council review• Review/redefine GPN’s role • Determine actions which support role• Identify funding sources for activities• Create action plan and schedule• Get the word out, create the message• Monitor adoption• Evaluate results

How is “R” Different?

• Researchers focus on science not technical requirements

• Researchers are using more advanced services

• How are research projects funded for technology?• Typically underfunded especially for cyberinfrastructure• Expect it to be provided by the host institution• Projections and budgets are an important part

R & E Networking

• What is the message to the funding agencies, researchers, legislators?

• Quilt community is important peer forum

• R&E networking reach is international, must be expanded domestically

• Economic Development a reality• Under constant scrutiny to deliver on

promises to continue building the future

Many Stories in the Room

• Quilt forum provides discussion and information

• Many research related success stories in the group

• Successes can be modeled by other network operators

• An example

DUSEL An Example

• Collaborations are common especially among “large science” projects

• Over 200 scientists involved in project• Innovation and economic development• Grants are competitive• Advantage: High speed access and

advanced applications• DUSEL technical requirements• A little at first a lot later, advanced network services• Circuits not the answer, costs can kill projects

Opportunity Knocks

• Particle Physics looking for new venue• Bring the researchers to the legislature• Project participation right at the start• Participate in understanding the science

and the goals of the project• Formulation of CI Advisory Council• Solving the access challenges through

the R&E networking community

The Quilt Community

• Others have done this before• Wealth of information and helpful

colleagues• Using resources and connections

from SD-REED, GPN, Internet2, ESnet and Northern Lights

• Regional and national resources will make the research accessible

Stay Involved

• What’s the message?• Engaging the research community• Continue evaluating our role• Making advanced networking

applications and services available to more constituents

• Myron Lowe - Comments and observations from Northern Lights Gigapop

???DISCUSSION???