where, why, what and when…

Queensland Advanced Research Network (QARN)Queensland Advanced Research Network (QARN)

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Ian AtkinsonHPC Research and Development,

James Cook University(http://www.jcu.edu.au/hpc)

Deputy Director, Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation

(http://www.qpsf.edu.au)

Where, Why, What and When…Where, Why, What and When…


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Greater Regional University Network TailsGreater Regional University Network Tails GRUNT – Son of RUNT? GRUNT – Son of RUNT?

• Regional Universities and campuses are the tails of AARNet2 and are traditionally poorly served by broadband data communications

• 1997 the RUNT RFP

• 2000 Dr David Kemp announced a one of special allocation of $3.2M over two years to support the most ‘data disadvantaged’ institutions

• Short term ‘stop-gap’ solution


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GRUNT Network - Telstra connections into AARNet2GRUNT Network - Telstra connections into AARNet2

QRNO Connections

• JCU - Townsville 155/16, Cairns 34/8

CQU - Rockhampton 155/16, Mackay 34/16

USQ - Toowoomba 155/8, Harvey Bay 34/4

USC - Sippy Downs 8/2

NSWRNO Connections

• UNE - Armadale 155/8

SCU - Connection into Big Pond


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OverviewOverview

• QARN – The requirement

• QARN - Development Process

• QPSF Background, Credentials and Projects

• ANP Program

• Future Options for QARN


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Purpose of QARNPurpose of QARN

“I want us to focus heavily on innovation and IT, and I believe very strongly, unless we innovate we’re going to be left behind.

Innovation, innovation, innovation! It is our future. We live…in a very ugly and a very competitive world”

(Premier Peter Beattie speech to the Property Council of Australia, 6 March 2001)


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QARN - The Regional NeedQARN - The Regional Need

James Cook University

– 7 CRC’s;

– International leadership in several areas of marine science and tropical ecology;

– Alliances with economically significant industries (sugar, mining & mineral exploration, tourism etc.)

– high performance computing

• ~100 GFLOPS capacity

• >$500,000 p.a. spend on central HPC resources

• national competitive research grants

• remote and electronic library access; teaching and learning

• capacity to recruit and retain staff of high quality


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QARN - The ProjectQARN - The Project

• Queensland presents several unique networking problems in the Australian context

• Initiated by the Queensland State Government

– Communication and Information

– Education

– State development

• QPSF as the applying body

– Incorporated organisation

– Research flavour

• Consultant appointed to assist with ANP application


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Main features of QARNMain features of QARN

• Proposal to ANP - Advanced Networks Program

• Accelerates an urgent need in Queensland for bandwidth for use by the research community

• Co-operative participation by government, academia and the private sector

• Large financial contribution by applicants

• High level of current demand and growth potential


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Main features of QARNMain features of QARN

• Very experienced project management team

• Established management structure for ongoing operation

• Large user base already committed to QuestNet/ GRUNT

• Initial conservative design capable of upgrading


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Network MapNetwork Map


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South East Queensland Network MapSouth East Queensland Network Map


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Network SchematicNetwork Schematic


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Nature of the TechnologyNature of the Technology

• A hybrid network employing best available infrastructure that balances demand with cost

• Network build within constraints resulting from large distances and a decentralised population

• Builds on existing QUESTNet infrastructure, resources and services

• Mature but capable network technology; based on current commercial standards; capacity to embrace future standards


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Nature and Range of Organisations and Individuals Nature and Range of Organisations and Individuals Involved in the ProjectInvolved in the Project

Queensland ParallelSupercomputingFoundation

Creative Industries Precinct

Griffith University


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Outcomes and BenefitsOutcomes and Benefits

• Eliminate “Digital Divide” between city and country

• Assist skills development and retention in regional areas

• Encouragement of collaborative research and product development

• Facilitate the formation of relationships and personal networks amongst industry, academia and government

• Improve the social and economic well being of citizens


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Why is External Funding RequiredWhy is External Funding Required

• External funding is required to ignite the QARN project

– Choice of a single step of multi step implementation

• Current telecommunications charges are exorbitant

• Queensland’s regional universities struggle to gain access to even minimum levels of bandwidth to meet current requirements

• Reef Network provides a unique opportunity to use Queensland Rail optic fibre


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Funding SupportFunding Support

High Level of Government and Partner Support:

– Queensland Rail providing optical fibre access at 50% of commercial rate

– DSTC implementation services, software support

– Regional Partners cash contribution for each connected location


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Link to National Backbone NetworkLink to National Backbone Network

• Queensland Advanced Research Network is directly connected with GrangeNet/AARNet for National and International connectivity

• Queensland Advanced Research Network will be peered with other networks

IA


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Linkages between QARN and Other NetworksLinkages between QARN and Other Networks

• QARN will be Queensland’s primary research backbone network linking educational, government and private research organisations

• Interconnection with AARNet2/GrangeNet for national and international interconnectivity

• Provides linkage with APAC for non-metropolitan QPSF partners


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QUESTNetOperational

NetworkManagement

QPSF BoardQPSF Board

QARN ReferenceQARN Reference GroupGroup• DIIESRQ• Dept of State Development• Office of Higher Education• DSTC Pty Ltd• James Cook University

Associate DirectorUser Support and

EducationDr Joe Young

Chief ExecutiveOfficer

Professor Kevin Burrage

Associate DirectorOperations and

Industry OutreachMr Andrew Lewis

Associate DirectorRegional Access

Dr Ian Atkinson

QARN Management Organisation

Management StructureManagement Structure

• Industry Advisory Committee• Research and Education Advisory Committee• Advanced Visualisation Advisory Committee• Advanced Networks and Communications Committee

CommitteesCommittees


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Project Director

Mr Nick Tate

Project Manager

Mr Wilber Williams

Design and Engineering

Mr Mahmoud WafaMr Nigel Armfield

Systems Integration and Middleware

Dr Andy Bond

Site Representatives

QARN Project Implementation Team

Management Team - Analogous to GRUNTManagement Team - Analogous to GRUNT

• Australian Institute of Marine Science • Bond University• Central Queensland University • Griffith University• James Cook University• Queensland University of Technology• University of Queensland• University of Southern Queensland• University of Sunshine Coast

QUESTNet Reference Group


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QPSF CredentialsQPSF Credentials

• Queensland has flourishing HPC R&D and Educational Programs with high quality infrastructure since 1990

• QPSF established in 1992 with six Queensland universities sharing and accessing peak HPC facilities

• In 2000 awarded $10M from State Government funds:

– 20 new staff

– greater than $4 million cash attracted from partners

– HPC capability in Queensland will exceed APAC peak national facility

– Skills in grid computing

– Technology Diffusion Program


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Initial Demand GeneratorsInitial Demand Generators

Application Areas:

• High Performance Computing

– QPSF Meta centre

• Visualisation Applications

– Distributed visualisation

• Creative Industries Applications

• Telemedicine Applications

• Development of ‘middleware’

• Biotechnology (QPSF focus)


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Initial Demand Generators (continued)Initial Demand Generators (continued)

Industry Groups:

• Sugar industry

• Mining industry

• Health sector

• Power generation

• Railway engineering

• Construction engineering

• Industrial processes

• Bio-informatics

• Light metals manufacturing

• Health

• Environmental modelling

• Financial services


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QPSF ProjectsQPSF Projects

• Builds on existing skill sets of Queensland researchers (the Smart State?)

– Environmental and Earth Sciences – CRCs, State Government Departments, QUAKES

– Biotechnology – Universities, IMB, AIMS, CRC’s

– Information Technology – DSTC, Creative Media and Film Industries

• Value adds through Queensland’s ecological and biodiversities using these skill sets

• Involves industry through diffusion programs - QMI, QIMR, IMB (Celera), Boeing, SRI, Mining and Resources


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QPSF Indicative ProjectsQPSF Indicative Projects Big Data & Collaborative visualisation Big Data & Collaborative visualisation

• Virtual Reef

• A three-dimensional immersive visual environment of a segment of the Barrier Reef.

Partners include AIMS, CRC Reef Research

• Genomic Collaborative Environments

• Develop distributed collaborative environments which will allow users at remote locations to interrogate, analyse and interact with genomic and protein data sets. Partners include AIMS, Celera & IMB,SDSC


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QARN - Where to From Here…QARN - Where to From Here…

• State Government remans committed to QARN

– Major project of new Department of Innovation and the Information Economy (IIE)

– QARN project officer appointed

• Prepare an application for BARN

• Aggregation of relevant government communications

– Financial Commitment…

• National Communications Fund

– $52M for regional Health and Education applications

• DETYA Broadband Internet Access Program

– Tender released yesterday!

where, why, what and when…

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