Queensland Advanced Research Network: Revolutionizing Regional Connectivity

1. Where, Why, What and When… Ian Atkinson HPC Research and Development,James Cook University(http://www.jcu.edu.au/hpc) Deputy Director, Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation (http://www.qpsf.edu.au)

2. Greater Regional University Network Tails 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

3. GRUNT 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

4. Overview • QARN – The requirement • QARN - Development Process • QPSF Background, Credentials and Projects • ANP Program • Future Options for QARN

5. Purpose 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)

6. QARN - 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

7. QARN - 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

8. Main 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

9. Main 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

10. Network Map

11. South East Queensland Network Map

12. Network Schematic

13. Nature 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

14. Creative Industries Precinct Queensland Parallel Supercomputing Foundation Griffith University Nature and Range of Organisations and Individuals Involved in the Project

15. Outcomes 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

16. Why 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

17. Funding 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

18. Link 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

19. Linkages 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

20. QPSF Board Chief Executive Officer Professor Kevin Burrage QARN ReferenceGroup • DIIESRQ • Dept of State Development • Office of Higher Education • DSTC Pty Ltd • James Cook University Associate Director Regional Access Dr Ian Atkinson Associate Director User Support and Education Dr Joe Young Associate Director Operations and Industry Outreach Mr Andrew Lewis QUESTNet Operational Network Management Management Structure QARN Management Organisation Committees • Industry Advisory Committee • Research and Education Advisory Committee • Advanced Visualisation Advisory Committee • Advanced Networks and Communications Committee

21. Management Team - Analogous to GRUNT QARN Project Implementation Team Project Director Mr Nick Tate QUESTNet Reference Group • 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 Project Manager Mr Wilber Williams Design and Engineering Mr Mahmoud Wafa Mr Nigel Armfield Systems Integration and Middleware Dr Andy Bond Site Representatives

22. QPSF 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

23. Application Areas: High Performance Computing QPSF Meta centre Visualisation Applications Distributed visualisation Creative Industries Applications Telemedicine Applications Development of ‘middleware’ Biotechnology (QPSF focus) Initial Demand Generators

24. 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 Initial Demand Generators (continued)

25. QPSF 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

26. QPSF Indicative Projects 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

27. 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!