Report of the SURA CIO RON Ad Hoc Committee Larry Conrad November 9, 2006

Members Larry Conrad, FLR—CHAIR Doyle Friskney, UKY Pricilla Hancock, UA James Hilton, UVA Marc Hoit, UFL Julio Ibarra, FIU Bill Johnson, OneNet Dick Newman, FIT Don Riley, SURA Brian Savory, SoX/SLR

Background SURA SE footprint –Has 60 research institutions –35% of dues-paying I2 member –7 of the 16 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

Challenges Connectivity and access gaps in the region Head-to-head competition between I2 and NLR Self-serving national networking organizations e.g.: –I2 will not peer with NLR –I2 initial announcement to bundle ISP with NewNet and lower-than-Quilt ISP pricing –NLR discussions with Battelle Cannot depend on I2 and NLR to look out for our interests

Motivators The increasing importance of regional advanced networking to R&E competitiveness Two national competing networking organizations with duplicative services over the same footprint...and the attendant exposure to “pay twice” for the same services Regional networks need ability to connect with AUP free networks

Motivators Limitations due to non-net-neutrality, non-QoS networks National networking entities need to demonstrate a better understanding of the regional network concerns National networking entities need to be more supportive of regional network business models Need for more direct input to the national networking entities

Opportunities Mutual/shared support pacts/collaborations, like DR/BC, virtualized services, data center space Shared support services, e.g., PR, CFO Shared best practices, e.g., business plans, pricing models, economic development, NOC services, peering agreements Aggregated services, e.g., commodity, Abilene/NewNet, National Transit Rail

Opportunities What regional resources (e.g., SURAgrid) could be further developed to support our institutions? e.g., storage grids, shared security/authentication services, voice and toll bypass? If we could speak with one voice, we could wield greater leverage We could be more demanding with the national network entities about what we need rather than what they are willing to offer

The Proposal Form a SE regional R&E networking “federation” For current and aspiring networks Foster development of additional networks in the region Leverage SURA organization, corporate structure and presence in the region (to support SURA members and non-members) Anticipate other than CIO’s will participate

The Proposal Invite federation board chair to be a member of the SURA CIO Steering Comm. Would establish a formal charter to provide structure for definition for the group Envision the group to have a shared funding model with SURA participation SURA CIO Comm. would establish the founding board members Could initiate operation as soon as Jan. 1, 2007

Caveat...should only do this, however, if people are willing to commit to the principle of group leverage

Discussion