International Network CI for Biological and Medical Research James Williams Director, International Networking University Information Technology Services Indiana University Supported by the National Science Foundation

Introduction A network guy and not a biologist, but let’s talk about data reduction… Raw data -> Processed data -> data analysis -> “public” data High-performance networking provides the link between these (sometimes) geographically separate components, particularly the raw->processed step. The NSF funded International Research Network Connections (IRNC) program provides international network CI and support for these efforts. The IRNC program is the focus of my talk. 2 Supported by the National Science Foundation

The IRNC Program International Research Network Connections (IRNC) is an international infrastructure program funded by the US National Science Foundation. The program funds both physical network CI and the development and deployment of researcher and operator “services and tools” (network oriented tools and services) on top of that CI. This US funded CI is connected to and combined with CI in other countries to provide a global CI footprint for research and education. Specifics to follow. For details of the IRNC program see: 3 Supported by the National Science Foundation

IRNC Networks There are 5 separate physical CI projects funded by the IRNC program. They are: US-EUACE James Williams – PI US-L/S AmericaAMPATH Julio Ibarra – PI AU/HawaiiPacWave David Lassner – PI GlobalGLORIAD Greg Cole – PI AsiaTP3James Williams – PI Each of these projects combine with national R/E networks in their part of the world to provide almost complete global network-to-network connectivity (minus Africa and Central Asia which are being developed). Details of these projects and pointers to the project specific web sites can be found at: 4 Supported by the National Science Foundation

IRNC Support and Additional Connectivity While IRNC international connections can provide access to national networks, this is absolutely not the total solution to data reduction and processing. Generally researchers must have (would like) high-performance access between the site (country, city, building, lab) where raw data is collected, sequenced and initially stored and the secondary analysis and storage site where data is reduced and analyzed. These locations are connected via national, regional and campus networks in ways not generally known. In network terminology this is called the last mile problem….but, in the bio-medical world it is really the first mile problem. The IRNC projects supply required CI to connect international NRENs to the US. Additionally, the IRNC PIs can assist researchers in the use of this CI and the ultimate connection of the data sites (raw data collection, processed data storage and analysis). 5 Supported by the National Science Foundation

A CI example using TP3 (Asia) and Indiana University (NCGAS) resources Current scenario: A research group in Indiana is sending plant samples to China for gene sequencing. This raw data is then sent back on physical media to IU for long-term storage and analysis and ultimate publication. Plan: Samples to China, raw data transferred via the network to IU for storage, assembly and analysis on the large-memory MASON system. IRNC network CI can provide trans-oceanic connections from Asia to US. Within the US, US NRENs supply network connectivity. This is relatively simple. In addition, the IRNC can also support the project by supplying contacts and assistance in resolving first mile and end-to-end network CI problems in China (both initial contacts and network performance problems). For additional details see: 6 Supported by the National Science Foundation

A second example: Rice blight in a small section of India Raw data is collected and RNA sequencing done at a small sequencing facility in India near the “problem location”. Now this raw data needs to be processed, analyzed and a result produced and for whatever reason, there is no processing and analysis site available in India at this time. If the sequencing site is appropriately connected to the Indian NREN (NKN), the raw data can be transferred via the NKN-TEIN3-TP3-Internet2 connection to the NSGAS facility at Indiana University – Bloomington. There it can be processed, analyzed and a result sent back to India. The IRNC program can facilitate this network connection network connection by working with our partners in India, TEIN3 and Internet2. 7 Supported by the National Science Foundation

8

Summary These examples arise from my experience at Indiana University. But, all the IRNC investigators are prepared to assist (are anxious to assist) the bio-medical community in both usage of the NSF deployed CI and connecting raw data sites to processing and analysis sites. I again refer you to for more exact details and contact information. 9 Supported by the National Science Foundation

Questions/comments Websites: IRNC Program: NCGAS: Me: Jim Williams – 10 Supported by the National Science Foundation