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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
UKLight deployment in Scotland
George Howat
Network Development Manager
Computing Services, University of Edinburgh
and
EaStMAN Network Co-ordinator
March 1st 2006
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
Agenda
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What are the Scottish Regional Networks (RNs)?
Common features of RNs
UKlight connection at EaStMAN (ClydeNet)
SuperJANET5 (SJ5) features
Some issues for UKlight distribution
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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What are the Scottish Regional Networks?
UHI
AbMAN
FaTMAN
EaStMAN
ClydeNet
UHI
5 Groups – connecting:
All Higher/Further Education
Some research institutes,
science parks, … others.
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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Common infrastructure in RNs
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All Scottish RNs have a core based on dark fibre – mostly leased from
Thus PLC – some self provided
All HEs (except University of Stirling) are connected to the fibre core of
the networks – vital for UKlight and SJ5 bandwidth channel distribution
ClydeNet Metro Ring
EaStMAN spoke
and ring
AbMAN and
FaTMAN stars
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
Common infrastructure in RNs
• Research institute, science park connections –
variable technology - some fibre, others circuits
• Current SuperJANET4 connections:
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1 Gbps ClydeNet and EaStMAN
1 Gbps for Edinburgh and Glasgow e-Science projects
AbMAN and FaTMAN connected at 622Mbps
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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UKlight attachment at EaStMAN
SJ4 BAR
SuperJANET 4
10Gbps Core
2.5Gbps
1Gbps
K2 Director
10Gbps
6 x 1Gbps
Ciena Metro
2.5Gbps
Ciena Metro
SuperJANET 5
10Gbps Core
N x 10Gbps
K2 Director
6 x 1Gbps
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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SJ5 bandwidth delivery – an opportunity?
• 2 x 2.5Gbps delivered directly to all RNs – no BAR (UHI?)
• Doubles or quadruples current access bandwidth for IP
production purposes – is this useful for research delivery?
• Resilience through dual entry points – high availability
assurances
• Bandwidth channels (analogous to UKlight) designed into SJ5
infrastructure – delivered using same UKlight equipment for
ClydeNet, EaStMAN or new (FaTMAN, AbMAN, UHI) –
continuity!
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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RN readiness
• ClydeNet and EaStMAN effectively ready now
• AbMAN and FaTMAN not yet connected to bandwidth channel
services – delivery of SJ5 is a pre-requisite
• No projects currently running but RNs receptive to approach
from potential users
• Active promotion only within EaStMAN – Edinburgh to Lancaster
link coming soon (ESLEA)
• Fibre connected institutions are likely to be the easiest to
connect
• Wave division multiplexing (WDM) identified as key technology
(need experience in some RNs – March 16th London meeting)
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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RN concerns
Technical:
• Delivery of bandwidth channels is to one site only and may need
transportation across RN fabric for end user
• May not be possible – or very expensive – to deliver bandwidth
services to all sites (essentially non fibre sites)
• Funding of infrastructure ‘to the institution front door’ is of concern as
an inhibitor - costs borne by projects not the RN
• Raft of possible technologies involved: switched optical paths, Ethernet,
SDH, WDM, VLANs, MPLS, QoS, multicast, IPv6……..
Administrative:
• How is the end to end circuit set up?
• How do we operate the liaison and contact with ‘the other end’ and the
local institutions? Fault resolution: can be outside RN’s area of
monitoring/control
• Awaiting input from UKERNA in this area for SJ5
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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Institutional concerns?
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Delivery to the front door is only first step –delivery across institutional
networks may require infrastructure: fibre, hardware, software, non-IP
based equipment etc. State of readiness? Costs?
Institutional concerns regarding non interference with production
services on RN and institution – may enforce strong requirement for
separation. Costs?
Institutional end-user experience – a long haul circuit may require
protocol expertise to make the most of the bandwidth
Security is important – “Who’s network am I on?” – separation again?
Science park and NHS connectivity – requires AUP, security policies as
well as infrastructure
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Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
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Conclusion
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There are some concerns from the RNs re the technical implementation options
for transport across the RN but no show stoppers identified so far (for HE)
Some institutions may have concerns re. delivery over institutional networks and
end user readiness
Funding may be needed by the projects – FEC
Fibre is key to flexible development of the services – we may need more to
widen the community beyond academia
UKlight is here and SJ5 bandwidth channels imminent – projects required to
make it a success.
‘Contact your local MAN!’
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UHI
Perth
Computing Services
THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH
AbMAN
FaTMAN
ClydeNet
Glasgow
EaStMAN
Leeds
‘Collector arcs’ deliver 2 x 2.5Gbps for production,
bandwidth channels initially carried over 10Gbps
to one point in each regional network
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