Virtual Collaboration Center Daniel Stevenson, MCNC Dorcas Stapleton, MCNC
Overview Information Technology focus Novel optical networking techniques Applications to Grid Computing Target bottlenecks in networked applications Dearth of network expertise in applications researchers
Scope Development of Proof of Concept Novel Optical LAN and Adapters Grid computing applications Information retrieval tools Porting grid tools to PoC LAN Testbed Leveraging network expertise
Leveraging Network Expertise Potential collaborative applications Bridge barriers using network expertise Emphasis on regional academic inst. Local R1’s and HBCU’s Identified several opportunities, but.. Long lead times & resource limitations Limited impact
Novel (radical) Approach Rethinking the network fundamentals 20 year technology lifetime Rapid changes in optical technology No legacy mindsets Protocol simplification Elimination of round trip handshakes Optimized implementation Functional placement: optics, electronics & software Low latency & high performance No data buffering in network Intelligence concentrated at network edge
Network Technology Optical Burst Switching Switched light path dWDM network no electro-optical conversion or buffering Just in Time control protocol Tell and go network control protocol Data transparent to intermediate network no assumptions made on signal format or rate Analog and various digital signals
JIT Comparison to TCP No buffering More optimistic Less latency connection est. error recovery No slow start Less time to deliver data once started
Research Relationships VCC: NASA Ames (NAS) OBS Network Adapter & LAN Applications over JIT / OBS Jumpstart: DoD (ITIC & ARDA) Just in Time definition, implementation, evaluation in ATDnet (NSA-LTS to NRL) OBS network modeling and analysis Future: routing & net management Under exploration: DoE (transport layer)
Grid Computing Applications GridIR proposed information retrieval service secure database indexing, searching, retrieval, and discovery on the Grid Working closely with Global Grid Forum Grid tools over JIT – OBS Exploring, designing, porting Evaluating, benchmarking, improving
VCC Grid Testbed Expansion in progress (Beta) 2 clusters + 1 Stand Alone Master 7 slave + 1 master node per cluster Fast Ethernet connected Each node has 2x 1.56 GHz AMD Athlon MP 1 GB DRAM slave, 2 GB DRAM master 40 GB HD slave, 2x 40 GB HD master 900 GB RAID Direct Attached Storage 30 GB x 7 DLT stacker Additional expansion planned for Y2
Relevant URL’S MCNC: CNDR: ANR: VCC: Jumpstart: