1. 1 The Mozambique MRLink Project -Communication Systems Design 2004- Final Presentation Arnaldo Cumbe Bhavik Gandhi Atanasia Mapapa Meraldina Mazivele Jakob Ringblom The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) IT-University Stockholm, Sweden

2. 2 Project Background Main Objectives and Results Principals and Stakeholders The Progress of the Project The Alternative Solutions The Chosen Solution Conclusion The Video Presentation Overview

3. 3 Collaboration between KTH and the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria, MIM Main stakeholder is the Centro de Investigaçao em Saude de Manhiça (CISM) Main sponsor is the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) Project Background

4. 4 Main project objective: To increase the bandwidth of the Internet connection at the CISM Main project result: The bandwidth of the CISM Internet connection has been increased using a 128 Kbps leased ISDN line from the ISP Virtual Connection (Virconn) Main Objectives and Results

5. 5 MIM & MIMCom The Multilateral Initiative on Malaria, MIM, is an alliance of organisations and individuals who work to strengthen and support malaria research in endemic countries, and especially in Africa where the problems with the disease are the greatest. In order to do this, MIM and the US National Library of Medicine established the MIMCom network in 1997. The main goal was to enhance the communication capabilities among malaria researchers in Africa, and today the network is connected to 17 research sites all over the continent. More at http://www.mimcom.net/http://www.mimcom.net/ NLM The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, is the world's largest medical library. The Library collects materials and provides information and research services in all areas of biomedicine and health care. More at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/about/index.htmlhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/about/index.html NIH NIH is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. The goals of the agency are as follows: 1) foster fundamental creative discoveries, innovative research strategies, and their applications as a basis to advance significantly the Nation's capacity to protect and improve health; 2) develop, maintain, and renew scientific human and physical resources that will assure the Nation's capability to prevent disease; 3) expand the knowledge base in medical and associated sciences in order to enhance the Nation's economic well-being and ensure a continued high return on the public investment in research; and 4) exemplify and promote the highest level of scientific integrity, public accountability, and social responsibility in the conduct of science. More at http://www.nih.gov/about/almanac/index.htmlhttp://www.nih.gov/about/almanac/index.html Principals and Stakeholders

6. 6 The project was divided into 6 phases: – Start-Up phase – Planning phase – Research phase – Development phase – Implementation phase – Termination phase The Progress of the Project

7. 7 Start-Up phase – Get the project started – Deliverable: Project name, logotype, and web page Planning phase – Specifying objectives, organising the project team, and planning the work – Deliverable: The Project Plan The Progress of the Project

8. 8 Research phase – Evaluation of possible technical solutions – Deliverable: A number of different technical solutions to present to the CISM Development phase – Development and design of the chosen solution – Deliverable: Completion of all necessary preparations to upgrade the Internet connection The Progress of the Project

9. 9 Implementation phase – Implement the chosen technical solution Deliverable: The upgrading of the Internet connection at the CISM Termination phase – Completion and termination of the project – Deliverable: Final course deliverables The Progress of the Project

10. 10 Evaluation of the project progress – Project phases – Risk analysis follow up Technical risks Economical risks Management risks The Progress of the Project

11. 11 Technology to Use : Option 1: ISDN ISDN is Integrated Services Digital Network, a standard for digital telecommunications that allows fast digital dialup connections over the public telephone network. Whereas traditional phone lines can only carry data at around 28.8kbps using analogue modems, an ISDN line can provide two data channels each operating at 64kbps (for a total throughput of 128kbps if required). ISDN can be used for voice data calls, faxing, videoconferencing, and high-speed data access. The Alternative Solutions

12. 12 Technology to Use : Option 2: VSAT VSAT stands for “Very Small Aperture Terminal” and refers to receive/transmit terminals installed at dispersed sites connecting to a central hub via satellite using small diameter antenna dishes (0.6 to 3.8 meter). VSAT technology represents a cost effective solution for users seeking an independent communications network connecting a large number of geographically dispersed sites. The Alternative Solutions

13. 13 Wired line to CISM in Manhica with the Virconn VSAT gateway in Maputo via a dedicated ISDN line. From the Virconn gateway it is a 1 hop satellite link to the fiber backbone in Washington or London. This solution gives equal performance, is faster to implement, does not necessitate any investment in equipment, eliminates maintenance overheads, frees funds for use towards operational costs and gives CISM the flexibility of choosing alternatives when Mozambique is connected to the South Africa fiber optic node in the future. After negotiations with Helder Santos, Director,Virconn, we the following agreement was also reached: 1. Performance Guarantee: Virconn 256kbps leased line vs. GS Telecom 128kbps VSAT Virconn will guarantee a CIR (committed information rate) of 256 kbps to the backbone. This will form a part of the SLA (Service Level Agreement). This will give CISM the SAME quality bandwidth as that offered by GS Telecom. The Chosen Solution

14. 14 2. Structuring the SLA with Virconn and Exit Clause Both parties (Virconn and CISM) will agree to what constitutes as proof of bandwidth quality, in case of future dispute. This can take the form of MRTG reports or an agreed upon download test. In the event that CISM is not satisfied with the performance or depending on severity level of any outages, the contract with Virconn can be terminated. This is detailed in a separate document that defines response times, penalties and interpretations and definitions that both parties should agree upon. 3. Customer Service & Support Virconn will agree to a fixed onsite response time, in the case where Virconn is contracted for network management services. If not, the network will be monitored 24/7 and CISM will be notified of any network faults. CISM will be fully responsible for the Router maintenance on its site. The ISDN equipment will be maintained by Virconn. 4. Other Services 5 IP address included. Bandwidth prioritization for VoIP also included. The VoIP tests carried out at the Virconn office were satisfactory. The Chosen Solution

15. 15 5. Costs Equipment: No Cost. The ISDN modem are included in the monthly cost of the leased line. Leased Line Cost from TDM: (all leased lines are taken from TDM): $500 per month (approx) ISP charges from Virconn for 256 kbps: $2000/month + VAT Router: No cost. The existing Cisco 1700 router can be used Maintenance: No Cost. Included in the SLA. Virconn will provide the 256 kbps link for 1 month starting 30th April (at $2000 per month + VAT) to give CISM time to be satisfied with the quality of the link. In the event that CISM decides not to continue with the link after 30 days (Until 31st May), the financial exposure of CISM is limited to one months ISP charges ($2000 + VAT). However, if after 1 month CISM IS SATISFIED with the Virconn bandwidth quality, CISM may extend the contract with Virconn for 1 year or 2 years. The Chosen Solution

16. 16 6. Existing Financial Commitment As understood, CISM has an existing financial commitment with Teledata for a 64kbps line, which expires in April 05 (12 months). I suggest, re-negotiating the existing contract with Teledata to increasing the bandwidth to 128 kbps on the condition that the contract expires in 6 months or 256kbps on the condition that the contract expires in 3 months. In theory, this should be possible, as the financial commitment to Teledata remains unchanged. If the above re-negotiation is possible with Teledata, Helder has agreed in principle, to freeze the CISM - Virconn leased line contract, until the CISM - Teledata contract has expired (3 months or 6 months). This way, there will be no duplicate expenditure on 2 different links, CISM an immediate increase in bandwidth that they require and the contractual period with Teledata will be reduced. In addition to the above arguments in favor of a leased line solution, we did foresee problems with installing the VSAT solution at CISM. This is primarily to do with the environmental factors at CISM, including installation, maintenance and securing a clean power supply (no fluctuations!), for which CISM would have added hardware costs for generators, generator housing, UPS and spare parts. The satellite equipment is temperature sensitive, and power fluctuations or outages will result in equipment damage. The above Virconn option is the best possible solution for CISM given the time and resource constraints. The Chosen Solution

17. 17 The Internet connection at the CISM was upgraded from 39 to 75 Kbps using a leased ISDN line from the ISP Virconn Further project results: – Workshop at the CISM – User policy – Network recommendations – VSAT provider evaluation Conclusion

18. 18 The project has made it easier for the CISM researchers to – Exchange ideas with colleges – Collaborate on funding proposals and on writing journal articles – Access the WWW and sending e-mails – Search research journals and databases The project has contributed to improve the malaria research capacity in Mozambique Conclusion

19. 19 The Video

20. 20 Thank you for your attention! Questions? csd2004-team8@csd.ssvl.kth.se