Information Technology Committee Report by Dick Newman for Dave Lambert Committee chairman

Extension of the IT Strategic Plan This is a revision or refinement of strategic plan as shown on the SURA web site The framework and goals remain the same The focus has been adjusted based on events of the past year Positive results that continue to support our member institution and enhance SURA’s reputation

Abstraction to Clarify the Focus We are not in the network or grid or cyber infrastructure business. These and other IT tools are valuable assets that SURA can help facilitate We are assisting in the interconnection of appropriate IT resources and services to enable the research and educational missions of our institutions

SURA IT Program Update See IT highlights behind Tab 17 of the Board materials book –ITSG activities on assisting in network connectivity (page 1-2) –Initial motivation was to provide cost savings on network services through collaborative efforts –This led to the AT&T GridFiber donation (update on page 12) –Next was the opportunity to own & control the national network backbone (SURA support & membership in NLR) –Introduction of a similar ‘new net’ by Internet2 followed by merger efforts that initially failed

Program Update 2 SURA sponsored efforts with respect to I2 & NLR –Active discussions led to two committees –Communications to I2 & NLR on the resolving merger impasse and organizational restructuring –Identification of the significant role of the Regional network organizations –Creation of South East Regionally Organized Networks (SERON) Committee –First meeting yesterday – chair, vice chair – initial set of tasks and opportunities

Program Update 3 SURA efforts to support regional / national / international network conectivity –AtlanticWave update – Page: 8-10 –International activities in India & Africa (Dr. Don Riley – SURA IT fellow) – Page 11 Opportunity for SURA to enable appropriate Grid resources for member intuitions –SURAgrid status & activities – Page 3-5 –SURAgrid corporate partnership program – Page: 5-6 –SURAgrid Governance Proposal – Page: –SURAgrid application summaries – Page: 34-43

Update –A regional HPC infrastructure supporting research applications, SCOOP and other SURA programs (BioEnergy…) –29 Participating institutions –In excess of 10TF capacity (quadrupled capacity in past year) Current activities - SURAgrid governance structure approved by IT Steering Group - Recently hired Linda Akli as Grid Applications / Outreach Specialist - Interviewing candidates for Grid Infrastructure Specialist - Opportunity to expand services thru corporate partnership programs

SURAgrid Corporate Partnerships Discounts on purchased systems Initial IBM p575 partnership New IBM e1350 Linux partenrship New Dell PowerEdge 1950 partnership Owned and operated by SURAgrid participants Integrated into SURAgrid with 20% of capacity available to SURAgrid

Program Update 3 SURA efforts to support regional / national / international network conectivity –AtlanticWave update – Page: 8-10 –International activities in India & Africa (Dr. Don Riley – SURA IT fellow) – Page 11 Opportunity for SURA to enable appropriate Grid resources for member intuitions –SURAgrid status & activities – Page 3-5 –SURAgrid corporate partnership program – Page: 5-6 –SURAgrid Governance Proposal – Page: –SURAgrid application summaries – Page: 34-43