POSSIBLE ELEMENTS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER NETWORKS AND MATCHING SYSTEMS

1. POSSIBLE ELEMENTS FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER NETWORKS AND MATCHING SYSTEMS I.F. Vladu Sustainable Development Programme Technology Sub-programme UNFCCC Beijing, China

2. OBJECTIVE • Describe some of the work done on a technology transfer network. • Present options to use the Internet for establishing the network. • Describe an peer to peer implementation of the network • Present a prototype used as a proof of concepts I.F. Vladu

3. MANDATE • The secretariat was requested, inter alia, to: • “...consult with GEF and other international organizations and solicit information on their capabilities to support the work of (an) international technology information centre(s) as well as national and regional centres…” (Decision 9/CP.3). • “To accelerate its work on the development of a technology transfer information clearing house by coordinating with Parties and relevant United Nations agencies and other international organizations and institutions, and developing options for implementation, in particular, networking of an international technology information clearing house under the Convention, and enhancement of technology information centres and networks.” (Decision 4/CP.7). • To continue its work on the technology information system,...; and to explore the feasibility of including information on private and publicly-owned technologies, joint research and development programmes, examples of success stories and case studies on technology transfer (FCCC/SBSTA/2001/8); I.F. Vladu

4. TECHICAL PAPER AND NETWORKS • A technology transfer network should targets experts from all of the stakeholders involved in the technology transfer process. • Technical paper proposals: • Create a true type network structure (avoid hierarchical structure). • Establish focal points and sectoral coverage by different international organizations. Seek their agreement in participating and and formalize the cooperation through a letter of understanding. • Establish a network management mechanism. I.F. Vladu

5. IDENTIFYING EXITING CENTRES • Collected data on 67 technology transfer information centers and 63 coastal zone centers. Follow-up: • update information and invite participation in network? • Discuss institutional arrangements for centres • Explore options for using the Internet to establish the network of centres I.F. Vladu

6. OPTIONS FOR USING THE INTERNET 2. Web-based 1. Client-server GEF - Project MAP TT:CLEAR CADDET (web, database) Web Browser • Network applications have been built primarily hierarchical, following the client-server model. • Client-server applications once required homogeneous client and server systems and provided limited or no interoperability between applications. • The World Wide Web made client-server computing commonly available through the acceptance of a universal client (Web browser) that uses a standard communication protocol (HTTP), that can display information described in a standard format (HTML). • Supports heterogeneous clients and servers and connected to a Web server with a known location and name. I.F. Vladu

7. OPTIONS FOR USING THE INTERNET 3. Peer-to-Peer (P2P) • Returning to the roots of how the Internet is built, in p2p networks users can interact with each other directly, without involving a Web server, chat room arbitrator, or bulletin board system (doesn’t necessarily require a set of clients and servers in a hierarchical relationship). • Offers an intuitive model for the most fundamental Internet activities: searching and sharing. • Tomorrow applications can focus on: instant messaging, resources sharing, P2P searches, matchmaking systems (buyers/sellers). I.F. Vladu

8. JXTA – A POSSBILE OPTION FOR TT:NETWORK • What is JXTA? • An open network programming platform for P2P computing. • A set of protocols for interoperating (XML-based). • Language and network agnostic technology. • Virtual network overlay. • Fully open source project at http://www.jxta.org. (e.g. TT:NETWORK) (e.g. JXTA Search) I.F. Vladu

9. POSSIBLE SEARCH ARHITECTURE ON TT:NETWORK • Communication over the network is performed via an XML protocol called the Query Routing Protocol (QRP). The QRP defines mechanisms for sending and responding to queries in the JXTA Search network, as well as mechanisms for defining meta-data for nodes in the network. • The network consists of the following participants: • Information Providers. • Information Consumers. • Information Hubs. JXTA Peer Registration Service Registration Request from Provider to Hub Request for Registration File Resolver Response from Provider to Hub JXTA Peer JXTA Peer Hub Service JXTA Input Pipe Provider Service JXTA Output Pipe Query from Hub to Provider Router Query from Consumer to Hub Response from Hub to Consumer Consumer Service JXTA Peer I.F. Vladu

10. POSSIBLE SEARCH ARHITECTURE ON TT:NETWORK (cont.) UNFCCC, other IGOs Registration Consumer • Actors: • Search hubs: IGOs, existing regional and national centers • Consumers: Parties, organization, private businesses • Provides: private businesses, knowledge institutions, regional and national centres • The Benefits of a Distributed Approach: • Speed of update • Access • Efficiency JXTA Peer JXTA Peer Provider Provider Consumer Hub Registration JXTA Peer Consumer Registration JXTA Peer Consumer Registration JXTA Peer Existing regional and national centers Provider Provider Hub Registration JXTA Peer JXTA Peer Provider Consumer Consumer Registration JXTA Peer Provider JXTA Peer Registration Provider Consumer I.F. Vladu

11. TT TT TT TT TT VARIOUS SOFTWARE OPTIONS CONSUMER HUB PROVIDER * * Shell User Java provider Software developer Different actors * * TOMCAT TOMCAT TOMCAT * Center Web Search Web provider Router Centers Centers db Adapter Resolver Browser User * Options tested in the prototype Example on next slides MyJXTA MyJXTA Private business Private business Database or XML file? I.F. Vladu

12. PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENTATION - HUB AND INFORMATION PROVIDER • Developed and tested with China centre • UNFCCC Hub • Running on the existing Tomcat web server. • Two services are implemented on the hub: Router and Resolver • UNFCC Provider • Implemented as stand alone Java program • The provider is accessing TT:CLEAR databases to prepare answers to queries dispatched to him by the hub I.F. Vladu

13. PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENTATION - CONSUMER • The consumer was implemented using JSPs and servelts and was integrated in TT:CLEAR (Network menu) • Clients can customize several search papameters such as number of hits per page, number of providers, maximum number of results per provider, etc. • The client’s preferences are stored in a local database I.F. Vladu

14. PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENTATION - CONSUMER • Result of the P2P search containing projects from TT:CLEAR displayed on the client. • XML answer form the provider. This answer is sent via the hub to the client I.F. Vladu

15. PROTOTYPE IMPLEMENTATION - INSTANT MESSAGE AND FILE SHARING • Creation of a separate peer group for (ttclear) • Instant message session in ttclear peer group (running under Linux) • In addition to exchanging instant messages, the application may be used for file sharing and (file) searching • An efficient tool to deliver expert advice form a network of experts I.F. Vladu

16. CONCLUSIONS • Development and dissemination of adequate tools and software will play an important role in enhancing existing technology information centres and in establishing the technology transfer network. • P2P networks, such as the one illustrated in this presentation, may provide a way forward for setting- up an the technology transfer network and for involving the private sector in the network. I.F. Vladu

17. Thank you! I.F. Vladu