150 likes | 213 Views
US Resource Centers Perspective: implementation and execution challenges. Alan Blatecky Executive Director SDSC. Optical Fiber (bits per second) (Doubling time 9 Months). Data Storage (bits per square inch) (Doubling time 12 Months). Silicon Computer Chips (Number of Transistors)
E N D
US Resource Centers Perspective:implementation and execution challenges Alan Blatecky Executive Director SDSC eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Optical Fiber (bits per second) (Doubling time 9 Months) Data Storage (bits per square inch) (Doubling time 12 Months) Silicon Computer Chips (Number of Transistors) (Doubling time 18 Months) Technology Drivers eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Observations • Recent changes in the nature of science are creating an urgent requirement for a new class of distributed science infrastructure • Emerging technologies are enabling new types of collaboration and possibilities in Science • E-science has some unique requirements that will not be addressed by the marketplace • Grid/Middleware technology and software development efforts are being done via a patchwork of diverse, short-term projects and programs • Infrastructure includes an array of technologies and capabilities eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Domain Expertise & Disciplines Instruments & Labs Data & Storage Applications Knowledge eInfrastructure E-Science Collaboration Computers & Grids Networks & Middleware Institutions & Communities eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Reality Curves Raw Performance Hype Reality Gap Real Performance eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Range of Challenges • Technical - interoperability, production, services • Logistical, legal - licensing policies, Intellectual Property policies, authority, authentication, security, etc • Ideological – cultural and administrative domains • International – sharing resources across national boundaries • User • Don’t care about who or where, just want it to work • Throughput and results are the primary metrics • Must address system issues eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Fundamental challenges • Nature of science and engineering enabled by einfrastructure is fundamentally different from traditional approaches • Organizational, institutional, managerial, economic changes required • Conceptual frameworks and models are limited • Need to develop new traditions of competing and cooperation • sharing becomes a fundamental tenant of einfrastructure eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
New requirements • Shared resources, remote participation and control need to be integrated with local control • New rules, social conventions, folkways and mores for einfrastructure research need to be developed • Standard setting as a solution is wishful thinking – limited time to get agreement, swiftness of change, etc • Persistence and success requires risk-taking at the outset; selection of approaches and technologies before they are “proven” eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Important issues • Need to “crawl” before you walk and run • Managing expectations and perceptions • Accomplishing “modest” goals first • Understand difference between Production and Experimentation • Coordination and cooperation needs to become a social norm • Individual – institutional – regional – national • Success metrics include a coordination component eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Some Suggestions • Continue exploration of establishing joint formal agreements among national funding agencies • NSF and EU to set up 2 annual meetings • Program officers and Grid PIs, Middleware developers, etc • Selected scientific domains serve as a focus for each • Funded major Grid and middleware projects to include specific international components, for example, • 2 international trips each year to visit “sister” efforts or projects in another country • Reverse site visits – teams invited in to review and advise • % of resources set aside for international use only, etc eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
More Suggestions continued • Major resource centers to establish annual coordinated workshops on Grid services and providers • Sabbaticals for technologists and scientists to spend time at a center in a different country • Student internship programs – sponsored by a resource center, funding agency • Create specific scientific domain BOFs at each GGF • Funding Agencies establish one or more achievement award programs • Best international exchange of technology • Best shared application, scientific collaboration/discovery • May include some monetary award as well eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)
Incentive Suggestions • Need to establish incentives for sharing and collaboration at the international level • Local, regional and global support • User as well as institution and organization • May be as simple as starting with program officer recognition and encouragement • Needs to be a common message from funding agencies • Needs to be supported/encouraged by local institutions and management • Included as a component in reviews and evaluation eInfrastructures (Internet and Grids)