A Task for NRENs: Application Support and Services UbuntuNet-Connect 2008, Lilongwe, Malawi 11th November 2008 Gerti Foest, DFN-Verein

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, What are NRENs for? Priority Task: Provide connectivity for the research and education community

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, What we learned Good connectivity is necessary – but not enough Powerful networks and excellent national, regional and international connectivity are the basis for advanced communication and cooperation for research, education and societal benefit NRENs and RRENs can provide a framework to ensure the benefit of networks for researchers, educators and society

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, A Task for NRENs/RRENs Promote, coordinate and support compelling network applications on national, regional and international level –Technical issues –Organizational issues Existence and usage of such applications - and the related content - demonstrate the value of research and education networks –to funding bodies –to potential participants (universities, research institutes etc)

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, FEAST and Applications Feasibility Study for African – European Research and Education Network A FEAST activity – Applications planning Identify applications relevant for the African partners Identify African and European partners for further development of existing applications or for setting up new applications Set up a program to stimulate the use of network applications –Create awareness of new possibilities –Encourage national and inter-regional usage of specific applications Produce case studies to illustrate the value of the network and successful applications

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, Application areas eLearning Health Care Climate Research Grid Computing … and many others Applications need supporting services

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, A Task for NRENs - Services Provide generic services –Usable for many organisations (universities, research labs etc.) –Usable for many applications Provide support for usage of services –Establish competence centres –Organise workshops –Offer training for trainers –Help with organizational issues

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, Services for Applications Incidence Response Teams –General network usage, all applications Videoconferencing –Working group meetings, Interviews (jobs etc.) –eLearning – e.g. remote attendance, tests and examinations PKI - Authentication –Grid Computing –Secure communication and secure access to content (many applications) AAI - Authentication and Authorisation –eLearning, Grid Computing, …

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, Lessons learned One of the benefits of an NREN for the research and education community is – besides the provision of excellent network connectivity - the provision of services that help applications If services are build according to the needs and possibilities of the target groups, they are very well accepted Only central components of a service should be operated by the NREN, the others should be operated locally

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, Conclusion Parallel to building networks and providing worldwide connectivity Support the usage and development of compelling applications by providing supporting services Consider the cost of services when calculating the budget –For funding bodies –For customer charges

Application Support and Services Lilongwe, Thank you! Contact: Gerti Foest, DFN-Verein