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National Networking Going Forward Scenarios. Larry Conrad Florida State University Florida LambdaRail February 20-21, 2007. Dilemma. I2 and NLR are vying for the same space ...the Group A report worst case scenario!
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National Networking Going Forward Scenarios Larry Conrad Florida State University Florida LambdaRail February 20-21, 2007
Dilemma • I2 and NLR are vying for the same space...the Group A report worst case scenario! • NewNet is being built on the same Level3 infrastructure NLR utilizes--no diversity of routes for the added value of redundancy • NLR-Battelle partnership has created a sense of uncertainty in our community • I2 refusal to peer with NLR is counter to the community’s best interests • FCC Rural Pilots program is publicly visible example of issues and consequences: NLR petition, I2 protest and statement following the FCC ruling • Ensuring a responsibly diverse and interconnected national R&E network infrastructure is now up to us
Dilemma • I2 and NLR are now offering virtually identical services • Half of the I2 membership has also invested in the NLR • I2 Abilene and NLR PacketNet provide essentially the same access to the same entities (routes) with comparable reliability/availability • ...despite the lack of an official peering relationship between them • Same can be said regarding their new “commodity” and “content provider” peerings as well as the new Layer 2 and “hybrid” services • NLR and I2 pricing models are “apples and oranges” • Ensuring our institutions are not being double/over-charged for identical services and identical access is now up to us
Dilemma • National network services are an important, but limited component of what the regionals provide • Ron J: “Local loops for infill are harder to do than backbones” • Regionals also provide ISP services, regional transit, regional connectivity for state and K-12 networks, economic development • Per I2’s own assessment, most SEGP traffic stays within a participating state • Most present Abilene and NLR PacketNet customers pay for substantially more bandwidth than they need • Today there are more options for meeting our institutions’ needs beyond “just” the national backbone networks
Dilemma • Other important services such as national and international peering and ISP are available outside the national networks (e.g., NTR, PWave, AWave, Quilt) • Commercial ISP providers can provide most of the bandwidth and speed many institutions need today • Today there are more options for meeting our institutions’ needs beyond “just” the national backbone networks
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #1: • Member of I2, but not NLR • University wants to connect to I2 NewNet on its own • $250K/yr for minimum 1 GE NewNet connection • ...or $480K for 10 Gb • Plus I2 membership (~$30K/yr/institution) and network participation fee of $22-24K
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #2: • Member of I2, but not NLR • University wants to aggregate with others to cut costs via I2 • A shared minimum 1 GE NewNet connection for $250K/yr (will I2 allow?)--example, if a group like the FLR aggregated it’s 7 I2 members, that would be in the ~$40K/yr range per institution • ...or a shared 10 GE NewNet connection for $480K/yr would be in the ~$70K/yr range per institution • Plus I2 membership (~$30K/yr/institution) and network participation fee of $22-24K
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #3: • Member of NLR, but not I2 • Already aggregating, by definition, since NLR participants are aggregating entities (RONs) • I2 equivalent access and connectivity • No NewNet or I2 expense, but there are on-going NLR owner/participation costs • Leverage NLR investment by utilizing a shared 10 Gb NLR PacketNet connection (included as part of NLR membership) with access to virtually the same set of entities/routes as I2
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #4: • Member of both I2 and NLR • Member wants to leverage its NLR “sunk cost” commitment and minimize I2 expense • Leverage a 10 Gb NLR PacketNet connection (included as part of NLR membership) • Minimum, shared I2 NewNet connection (1 GE) for $250K/yr (will I2 allow?) • Super aggregation example: SoX/SLR might split between 4 states (AL, FL, GA, and NC) at $62,500/yr each—for FLR, in the ~$10K/yr range per institution • Plus I2 membership (~$30K/yr/institution) and network participation fee of $22-24K
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #5: • Member of both I2 and NLR • University wants to keep equal bandwidth to each • 10 Gb NLR PacketNet connection (included as part of NLR membership) • 10 Gb I2 NewNet connection for $480K/yr. • Plus I2 membership (~$30K/yr/institution) and network participation fee of $22-24K
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #6: • Member of I2 and NLR • University sees no need for continuing I2 network connectivity • Leverage NLR investment and utilize a shared 10 Gb NLR PacketNet connection (included as part of NLR membership) with access to virtually the same set of entities/routes as I2 • Will continue ~$30K/yr I2 membership to take advantage of the non-networking I2 initiatives
Connectivity Scenarios • Scenario #7: • Member of I2 and NLR • University sees no need for continuing NLR investment, decides to go with I2 network connectivity • Does not renew NLR participation • Chooses to participate in I2 NewNet instead • Net cost = NewNet connectivity fees to I2 less NLR fees • Plus I2 membership (~$30K/yr/institution) and network participation fee of $22-24K
Action Scenarios • SURA SE footprint • Has 60 research institutions • 35% of dues-paying I2 member • 7 of the 14 NLR memberships • All but 3 states have R&E network initiatives • Strong history for connectivity leadership • SURANet • SoX, MAX, NCREN, AMPATH • RON startups: FLR, LEARN LONI, MATP, OneNet
Action Scenarios • Collectively address connectivity and access gaps in the region • Seek to mitigate impact on our institutions of the head-to-head competition between I2 and NLR • Seek more control of our own destiny—cannot depend on I2 and NLR to look out for our best interests
Action Scenarios • Recognize the increasing importance of regional advanced networking to R&E competitiveness for our institutions • Ensure our regional networks’ ability to connect with AUP free networks • Ensure our regional networks’ ability to provide redundancy over diverse routes
Action Scenarios • Work to ensure the national networking entities demonstrate a better understanding of regional network concerns and issues • Work to ensure the national networking entities are more supportive of regional network business models • Work to ensure a more direct and “undiluted” input to the national networking entities
Action Scenarios • Establish mutual/shared support pacts/collaborations, like DR/BC, virtualized services, data center space • Explore shared support services, e.g., PR, CFO • Share best practices, e.g., business plans, pricing models, economic development, NOC services, peering agreements • Aggregate services, e.g., commodity, Abilene/NewNet, National Transit Rail
Action Scenarios • Explore regional resources which could be further developed to support our institutions • SURAgrid • Storage grids • Shared security/authentication services • Voice/toll bypass • Speak with one voice to wield greater leverage • Be more demanding with the national network entities about what we need rather than what they want to provide
Specific Follow-up Actions? • Align I2 contracts for SE members/connectors • 72 hour “traffic analysis” study, commencing on April 1, 2007 • Pursue inter-connecting the RONs and assist in-fill • Super-aggregation • Cooperative (vs. federation?) organization leveraging SURA • Improve communications between RONs and with the universities • Get active w/I2 governance structures
Organizational Scenarios • Stay with the status quo option • Continue to work at the RON/State level • Individual RON to individual RON • Individual RON to national networking entity • “Play the hand we’re dealt”
Organizational Scenarios • Focus at the National level • Work to reinvigorate/restructure/extend the Quilt • Build the new so-called DEER collaboration into a more formalized structure • Establish a SURA liaison role to I2/NLR
Organizational Scenarios • Work to organize at the Regional level • Continue pursuing the SURA RON ad hoc committee proposal • Establish a more formalized structure, such as the SERON Federation concept • Operate under the auspices of SURA • ...or a new not-for-profit organization • Other structures/ideas?