GN2 project, the fastest European infrastructure is successful

The pan-European GN2 project has already achieved important results both in terms of implementation and in terms of operational performance. Such are the findings of the annual evaluation of the project implemented within the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Commission. The evaluation panel, however, also recommended paying more attention to the management of the project, to the allocation of human resources, to the timing of deliverables and putting more effort in the finalisation of research results and transferring them in practice.

The GN2 project (Multi-Gigabit European Academic Network) has been following up the GÉANT project since September 2004. It aims to provide an infrastructure for European researchers that will enable transferring large data volumes in a short time, using advanced network applications such as computational grids, and real-time collaboration on joint projects. The GÉANT2 network development involves providing access to the top-quality services intended for the most demanding users, i.e. scientists and researchers. In this manner they obtain their own "wavelength" running across the entire continent: end-to-end connectivity that will enable direct access to the advanced communication parameters of the GÉANT2 network and the national research and education networks (NREN). Thus, European scientists will be able to create their own "virtual network".

The developed mobile and roaming services will allow European scientists to connect to the network wherever they need it. The priorities of the GN2 project include guaranteed end-to-end performance and solving the requirements for mobility. It will be solved jointly by 31 organizations dealing with high-speed scientific and research networks. They include specialists from the CESNET association who participate in almost all activities solved within the project as shown in the following summary.

The GN2 project activities are divided into the following categories:

Performance measurement and management

The objective of this activity is to develop a performance measurement system for the GÉANT2 network and connected NRENs, to be used for dealing with user demands on connection parameters or for solving problems with the network performance. Specialists from the CESNET association will specify the demands on the monitoring system and participate in passive monitoring research.

Security

This activity is focused on securing the active elements and services of the GÉANT2 network including the establishment of a proactive system of incident detection and solving (developing a system monitoring and detecting anomalies and attacks, an incident database, an alarm system etc.) and an infrastructure design for the coordinated solution of security incidents and its pilot implementation. The CESNET association helps with the development of hardware devices for special monitoring.

New services development

The aim is to prepare conditions for providing dedicated switched interconnections, particularly for providing lambda services. Technologies suitable for the automated setup and control of optical connections based on user requests have been sought, designed and tested. In this activity, CESNET has been involved especially in defining the requirements and selecting suitable technologies for the described type of services.

Service and technology testing

This activity is focused on the design and implementation of a testing infrastructure for new transmission technologies and network applications. The testing infrastructure will result from combining national dark fibre test infrastructures that will be fitted with the necessary equipment according to the experiment type. CESNET specialists are participating in designing a suitable test infrastructure and in selecting experiments in the area of optical transmission technologies.

Mobility and roaming

This activity aims at providing users with transparent and easy access to network resources. This objective requires the roaming issues to be solved, including the establishment of a uniform authentication and authorisation infrastructure. The CESNET specialists focus on the roaming issues within the eduroam initiative and they also participate in defining the principles of a common authentication and authorisation infrastructure.

The importance of the CESNET association in terms of European network research was confirmed in December 2004 by the election of CESNET director Jan Gruntorad to the five-member executive committee of GN2 that manages the entire project. The quality of specialists in the Czech Republic has been recognised by the fact that Stanislav Sima has been elected to a group of a few experts who will design the GÉANT2 network topology and select the suitable optical fibre routes and transmission technologies.

The CESNET association was established by universities and the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. It is currently financed by the government Council of Research and Development and by its members. The association is focused on information and communication technology research and development and on the creation and development of the CESNET2 national optic gigabyte network intended for research and development. Thanks to its research activities and achievements, the CESNET association represents the Czech Republic in the European Project GN2 as well as in other international projects.