Update on Advanced Networking in Singapore APAN Meeting Busan, Aug 2003

Background  International R&E networking provision through SingAREN  SingAREN Phase 1 – Nov 1997 to Mar 2001  SingAREN Phase 2 – Apr 2001 to Sep 2003, with aim to: Ensure continuity of R&E advanced networking requirements – SingAREN21 infrastructure More diverse R&D activities and improved project management – Broadband21 projects

SingAREN Peering Arrangements  Architecture:  Peer PVC routers  Layer 3 via BGP4  Domestic peering:  Tertiary institutions, including NUS, NTU, SMU, TP, etc.  Research institutes, including I 2 R, IMCB, BII, etc.  International peering:  US - Abilene (upgraded to 155 Mbps in May 03)  Korea & Europe – TEIN (upgraded to 6 Mbps in January 03)  Malaysia – (via Satellite link between TP & USM)  Asia-Pacific – APAN (6 Mbps)

Current Network Topology The SingAREN network Infrastructure comprises: (1) dedicated direct international links to APAN-Korea and the Abilene network, and (2) local connections to research and education entities via a broadband network.

Network Configuration  SingAREN operates 2 PoPs – Singapore PoP & Seattle PoP  Seattle PoP aggregate and control traffic entering SingAREN’s international link  In Seattle SingAREN Connected to :  Internet 2 via Abilene (GE Connection)  Internet via NTT/Verio (OC3-POS Connection)  Other Peering Partner (Such as SIX using GE, PAIX using FE and PNWG using GE)  Singapore-to-US international link via OC3 POS (155 Mbps) [effective May 2003]  Singapore-to-APAN(Korea) link at 6 Mbps ATM VBR-nrt. [effective Jan 2003]

Proposed Cost Model  Current SingAREN funding ends in September 2003 with cessation of direct funding for infrastructure  “Pay-your-own-way” Model has been implemented  Aggregation of Commodity Internet & Internet2 traffic  Term contract arrangement with network Telcos  Flexibility for R&E Organisations to join anytime  6-monthly price review to maintain competitiveness  Advantages: Better facilitation of Internet transit among R&E organisations Cost effectiveness with significantly discounted rates Better accountability of network utilization

Other Activities  SingAREN Broadband 21 Projects 10 Advanced network projects; 7 Applications project  KRAN – Kent Ridge Advanced Network Project to set up a small optical network testbed with the aim of facilitating in the definition of a country-wide optical R&E network in Singapore (end in August 2003)  SIX – Singapore IPv6 Internet eXchange an IPv6 based IX to allow the exchange of IPv6 traffic  ONFIG – Optical Network ConFIGuration Multi-party project looking into R&D of optical network related devices  NII – Next-generation Info Infrastructure Spearheaded by InfoComm Development Authority (IDA) to investigate future broadband infrastructure  BMG – Bio-Med Grid Building the virtual community has started  NGP – National Grid Project Funding approved for Pilot Project  Thematic Strategic Research Program (TSRP) on Grid Computing Workshop planning for theme evaluation started Workshop to be held on September 2003

Future Directions  Activities in life sciences & Grid computng expected to significantly increase demand for bandwidth in Singapore  How to share resources and costs for inter- REN connectivity?  Process to institutionalize SingAREN as non- profit organization initiated  Plan to complete process in 4Q03

The Singapore Advanced Research & Education Network