Internet2 End-to-End (e2e) Performance Initiative

Laurie Burns <lburns@internet2.edu>

Steve Corbató <corbato@internet2.edu>

Internet2 Fall Member MeetingAtlanta, GeorgiaOctober 31, 2000

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Context for e2e Performance Initiative

Internet2 member universities have gained access to high performance backbone networks.

Now, under certain conditions within particular regional and local network environments, faculty, researchers, and students can experience the full benefit of this infrastructure in the development and use of advanced applications.

However, too often many of them experience a gap between the potential of the national high-performance networking infrastructure and their own experience when they use the network to accomplish their work.

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e2e Performance Initiative

Goal To create a ubiquitous, predictable, and well-supported environment in which Internet2 campus network users have routinely successful experiences in their development and use of advanced Internet applications, by focusing resources and efforts on improving performance problem detection and resolution throughout campus, regional, and national networking infrastructures.

In short, to turn high performance networking into a utility across Internet2 campuses.

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Components of the e2e Initiative

Creation of• a persistent, proactive, and widely deployed

performance measurement infrastructure, including tools and instruments for detection and resolution

• distributed, coordinated “Performance Evaluation and Response Teams” (PERTs), information resources, and mechanisms for access to expertise

• ongoing outreach, technology transfer and dissemination of best practices to the Internet2 membership and beyond

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Defining e2e Success Metrics• A core set of applications and services must be identified

• TCP applications (mandatory)• Internet-based telephony (VoIP)• Internet-based videoconferencing technologies – which one(s)?• Pervasive native multicast for multimedia and data distribution

• Scope• How broadly across the campus network can/should e2e be

supported?

• Timing• How quickly can these goals be met?• End user expectation management is essential

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Anticipated Key Partners

• NSF-sponsored engineering efforts (NLANR)• Distributed Applications Support Team (DAST) – NCSA• Measurement and Operational Analysis Team (MOAT) – SDSC• National Center for Network Engineering (NCNE) – PSC

• Web100 Project (PSC/NCAR)

• Abilene partnership• Qwest Communications, Cisco Systems, Nortel• Network Operations Center: Indiana University• Internet2 Technology Evaluation Centers – NC and OH

• Internet2 Corporate Members

• GigaPoPs (e.g., the Quilt)

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Performance obstacles to target

• End system • Application tuning• Operating system upgrade and tuning• Network attachment upgrade

•Campus network • Backbone upgrade• Local Area Networks upgrade

• Campus network uplink• Possible upgrade of campus attachment to regional GigaPoP or national

high-performance backbone

• Personnel investment• Network upgrade engineering and installation• Integrated operational support structures for networks and applications• End user awareness, training, and support

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Initiative Phases (I)

“First Gear”• Preparation and planning phase

• Set metrics, build partnerships, design RFP process

• Now through January, 2001

“Second Gear”• “Early Adopters” phase (analogous to Middleware)

• Partner with limited number (10-15) of campuses to develop tools, information resources, best practices

• Develop PERTs

• January-December, 2001

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Initiative Phases (II)

“Third Gear”• Begin dissemination of tools, information resources; continue

to refine

• Provide guidance on setting up additional PERTs

• Determine scope and goals for ongoing efforts

• Beginning spring, 2001

“Fourth+ Gear(s)”• As determined by work in previous phases…

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Reality checks

• Will create demand for campus upgrades• Increasing expectations for campus network engineering

and operations teams

• Will raise expectations of ubiquitous high performance by campus researchers

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Next steps

• New mailing list: e2e-interest• To subscribe: e2e-interest-request@internet2.edu

• Campus focused workshops: advanced networks and applications

• December 4-5, 2000• University of California, San Diego• Prospectus in the Member Meeting registration packet