News for and about the Internet2 community

[Todd Sedmak <>]

New Workshop Series Offers Hands-on Training in Software Defined Networking, Science DMZ and perfSONAR

Operating Innovative Networks (OIN) Workshops Created For University and Laboratory Network Engineers Building Next-Gen Campus Networks
 
WASHINGTON, DC--October 2, 2013 - Networking experts from ESnet, Indiana University and Internet2 are launching a new workshop series to help accelerate the deployment of next-gen research networks that can more effectively support data-intensive science.
 
Called the Operating Innovative Networks or OIN Workshop Series, the meetings are designed for university or government research laboratory network engineers seeking in-depth training on emerging technologies and architectures like software-defined networking, the Science DMZ paradigm, and perfSONAR monitoring. Both the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation consider these to be critical technologies for any science collaboration requiring high performance, big data science applications, including high-volume bulk data transfer, remote experiment control, and data visualization. 
 
The organizers plan to hold four to five workshops at different locations around the country over the next 12 months to provide multiple opportunities for various universities and laboratories to participate.  The next in the series will be held this week in the Chicago-area hosted by the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) at the CIC Big Ten Conference Center.
 
The workshops will generally consist of two full days of presentation material led by engineers at the three host organizations, along with hands-on exercises designed to encourage immediate adoption of emerging technologies at the participant’s home institutions.  By the end of the event, attendees will have a better understanding of the requirements for supporting scientific use of the network, architectural strategies that can simplify these interactions, and knowledge of tools strategies that can be used to mitigate problems their users may encounter. 
 

For detailed information on the workshop series and upcoming events, visit:  http://goo.gl/9JcXG9
To be added to the OIN workshop mailing list please visit:  http://goo.gl/fpMHgH

More about the OIN Workshop Topics:
Science DMZ Network Architectures:
The Science DMZ is a portion of the network, built at or near the campus or laboratory's local network perimeter that is designed such that the equipment, configuration, and security policies are optimized for high-performance scientific applications rather than for general-purpose business systems or “enterprise” computing. The Science DMZ model addresses common network performance problems encountered at research institutions by creating an environment that is tailored to the needs of high performance science applications. 
 
The workshop will describe this architectural paradigm in detail, and share common ways it can be implemented on a campus, laboratory, or regional network.  Discussion will focus on network devices that are capable of handling scientific use cases, along with sensible ways to transform campus security policies. 
 
Software Defined Networking and Openflow:
Software Defined Networking (SDN) represents a major shift in the field of networking. By giving campus, lab, and research networks the ability to develop and deploy their own customized network capabilities, SDN opens up the network — allowing networks to be "programmed" by network operators and researchers rather than network equipment manufacturers.
 
The workshop will provide network engineers on campuses and labs with the foundation they need to plan and operate SDN capabilities on their networks. The GlobalNOC will share concrete lessons about designing, deploying, and operating SDN networks.
 
perfSONAR Network Performance Software:
perfSONAR is an open source software suite that provides robust network performance monitoring, making it easier to solve end-to-end performance problems on paths crossing several network domains. It contains a set of services delivering performance measurements in a federated environment. perfSONAR has been developed through an international collaboration led by ESnet, GÉANT, Internet2, and RNP.
 
The workshop will introduce the concept of network performance, and the tools that are required to monitor this locally, as well as end-to-end.  Attendees will learn how to install perfSONAR for their own use, and how to integrate their testing needs with that of the community as a whole.  Topics will include choosing monitoring hardware, designing tests, and integrating results into an operational context. 
 
Data Transfer Nodes (DTNs):
The computer systems used for wide area data transfers perform far better if they are purpose-built and dedicated to the function of wide area data transfer, instead of general purpose machines affiliated with the storage or processing roles of the computing infrastructure.  These so-called “Data Transfer Nodes” (DTNs), are high-quality components and configured specifically for wide area data transfer.
 
The workshop will introduce the concept of a DTN to attendees, recommend ways it can be constructed and integrated into their Science DMZ environment, and show workflow efficiency can increase through the adoption of high performance applications for bulk data movement. 
 
About ESnet • www.es.net
ESnet provides the high-bandwidth, reliable connections that link scientists at national laboratories, universities and other research institutions, enabling them to collaborate on some of the world's most important scientific challenges including energy research, climate science, and the origins of the universe. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science and located within the Scientific Networking Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ESnet provides scientists with access to unique DOE research facilities and computing resources.
 
About GlobalNOC at Indiana University - globalnoc.iu.edu
The Global Research Network Operations Center (GlobalNOC) at Indiana University is the premier operations and engineering organization supporting advanced international, national, regional, and local high-performance research and education networks.
 
GlobalNOC plays a major role in transforming the face of digital science, research, and education in Indiana, the US, and the world by providing unparalleled network operations and engineering for reliable and cost-effective access to specialized facilities for research and education.
 
About Internet2® • www.internet2.edu
Internet2® is a member-owned advanced technology community founded by the nation's leading higher education institutions in 1996. Internet2 provides a collaborative environment for U.S. research and education organizations to solve common technology challenges, and to develop innovative solutions in support of their educational, research, and community service missions.
 
Internet2 consists of more than 220 U.S. universities, 60 leading corporations, 70 government agencies, 38 regional and state education networks and more than 100 national research and education networking partners representing more than 50 countries. Internet2 offices are located in Ann Arbor, Mich.; Emeryville, Calif.; and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit www.internet2.edu or follow @Internet2 on Twitter.
 

Todd Sedmak

Internet2

PR & Media Relations Manager

202-331-5373 or