1. eVLBI @ Arecibo (JIVE/EXPReS +)
Presented by : Tapasi Ghosh
Other active players: Arun Venkataraman,
Chris Salter, & Emmanuel Momjian.
Outline
A brief history of e-VLBI at AO
The current challenge: EXPReS
Plotting the Caribbean course

2. Beginnings: October 2003
MIT/Haystack demonstrates e-VLBI techniques for Internet2 Joint Techs.
AO participates using a canned data set (Coordinator: David Lapsley).
Haystack estimates ~50Mbps usable bandwidth to AO.

3. First eVLBI with JIVE: September 2004
The first eVLBI test observations took place on Sept. 10, The source, , was observed at 1.6 GHz using an array consisting of Arecibo, Cambridge (UK), Torun (Poland) and Westerbork (Netherlands).
The observations resulted in the FIRST transatlantic eVLBI image. Arecibo-Torun was then the LONGEST real-time interferometer baseline yet created.
(Top) The 1.6-GHz continuum image of at 80 mas resolution.
(Below) Visibility amplitude and phase plots between Arecibo and other EVN stations.

4. Data Path to JIVE MK5 in2net DAR/Formatter
PRISANET (PR) of the Arecibo Obs./UPR.
AMPATH (US) of Florida Intl. Univ.
Abilene (US) of Internet 2.
SURFnet (NL) of SURFnet BV.
Data rate: 32 Mbps, briefly sustained 80 Mbps.
JIVE

5. Until Spring 2005
 March 2005: A successful 64-Mbps e-VLBI run with EVN of SN2001em at 18 cm. Published in Mem.S.A.It.
AO/Cornell joins EXPReS consortium proposal to EC for networking infrastructure improvements to 1Gbps+.
AO negotiates with UPR for continuation of the Internet2 link.

6. Trouble in Paradise
Although AO’s connection to I2 is assured, further e-VLBI experiments late 2005 to 2007 are barely able to sustain 32Mbps.
Meanwhile in Europe, EXPReS funding is approved.
A new high speed link is needed: who can provide it?

7. Caribbean Adventure
AMPATH (FIU) initiates CaribREN to involve research centers and providers in the region to explore opportunities
SMITCOMS announces 2.5Gbps submarine cable project with presence in PR
Centennial PR contracts with Alcatel for a fiber connection to St Croix (Global Crossing landing)

8. It’s Only Money (up to 1Gbps, for now)
Centennial PR plans to establish a multi-gigabit backbone.
UPR look for bandwidth upgrade; chiefly on commodity Internet
Proposal submitted by Centennial to UPR/AO based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching. This awaits UPR’s approval. With a moderate increment of our current annual cost, this will provide us with up to 512Mbps connectivity to FIU by summer 2007.
Technology is already available for 1Gbps connectivity to FIU, but at about double the current annual charge.

9. The Last (S)mile (in 2008?)
Global Crossing is making a landing point at St Croix, with 8 conduits of Gbps each.
Centennial PR to light 10Gbps fiber to St Croix in May 2007.
“Lambda” (10Gbps) optical paths via WDM will be available to Miami or New York.
NY’s MANLAN NAP connects to NLR which is connected to GEANT via 10Gbps paths.
Cornell is a leading NE-NLR member.
PR to NLR is via Centennial+FIU for now. FIU is working towards connecting to NLR via Atlantic Waves. AO has given a letter of support to that effort.

10. Conclusion
The technology for 1Gbps+ links now exists in PR. Full optical path switching is not far away.
Given the funding, AO should just meet half of EXPReS’s 1Gbps spec by Fall 2007.
Plan for Gbps connectivity will be worked on during this year.