1. Network Technology Evolution
WP6 T1
Network Technology Evolution
Xavier Jeannin, Renater
TNC19, Tallinn
Multilayered service orchestration and monitoring
18 June 2019

2. Task 1: Network Technology Evolution - overview
Working with the community to build and maintain a direction for new network technology development and the applicability of specific technologies
Identifying and prototyping potential new technologies, and then developing successful prototypes towards a full service
Topics:
LoLa – enhancing the LoLa low latency audio-visual streaming system
Data transfer node (DTN) stimulation – improving large-scale data transfer capabilities
OTFN – Optical time and frequency networks – for the metrologist research community
QK(D&E) - Quantum key distribution and exchange – due to start in Jan 2020
White box – NREN use-cases, e.g., for data centre, IX, CPE, and an open R&E router (RARE)
Data plane programmability and P4 – establishing a community and best practices

3. Task 1: Low Latency (LoLa)
NRENs: GARR, LITnet, CESnet (Coordinator: Claudio Allocchio)
Objectives: Create an optimised low latency infrastructure for LoLa applications
Work plan
Monitor to identify lowest latency path(s)
Identify a technology able to steer traffic along that path, if feasible
Establish a testbed on the production infrastructure between several sites
Specify a GÉANT LoLa service
First result:
Comparison between LoLa and perfSonar measurements
perfSonar seems to be usable for latency and jitter measurement in the context of LoLa, but it requires some new development

4. Task 1: Data Transfer Node (DTN) stimulation
NRENs involved: SURFnet, DFN, GEANT
NRENs interested: RedIRIS, Jisc
Objectives:
Foster and develop DTN usage for improved large-scale data transfers
Work plan
Undertake a review of DTN-related activities in the community
Identify gaps and, if applicable, specify a new DTN service
Recruit NRENs interested by DTN for dissemination
Elaborate a strategy to share best practices and increase DTN uptake
Potentially develop new tools

5. Task 1: Optical Time & Frequency Network (OTFN)
NRENs: PSNC, CESnet, RENATER, GEANT (Coordinator: Guy Roberts)
Create a time & frequency distribution service in Europe over GÉANT infrastructure
Ultra stable frequency over optical frequency
Required by National Metrology Institutes; it is the most accurate technology
Ultra stable frequency over radio frequency (less precise)
Time over radio frequency

6. OTFN: Time & Frequency services

7. OTFN: first deployment

8. OTFN: First results
A technical analysis of the use of different bands has been undertaken
Includes C-band, L-band and bands between C and L
The C band is in use already by some NRENs (including Renater)
The GÉANT operations team has concerns over the use of C-band
Around risk, complexity, and reduction of channel capacity
Potential solutions?
Use dedicated dark fibre
Much more expensive – would need considerable additional budget
Use another band (L band, or a band between C and L)
That technology is not developed yet – how long will it take?
Also a more expensive solution
Use converters between C and L band
Not widely tested, and these devices are expensive

9. Task 1: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD)
NRENs: PSNC, CESnet, GEANT (Coordinator: Guy Roberts)
Objectives:
Assess potential implementation of quantum cryptography within NREN infrastructures
Work plan ( , 2 years)
Assess and review the state of art
Potentially lead some experimental tests

10. Task 1: White Box (WB)
Are white boxes a real opportunity for NRENs and Research and Education?
Our approach
WB for research and education
Assess white box use in the NREN context
Router for Academic, Research and Education (RARE)
Data Plane Programing (DPP)
New use cases like Monitoring, Security, Physical Network Function

11. NREN interest for white box

12. NREN interest for RARE and DPP

13. Task 1: White Box for research and education
NRENs: AMRES, FUnet, GRnet, RENATER, PSNC
Objectives:
Explore NREN-relevant use cases: Data-centre, IX router, CPE, P router, ...
First results:
FUnet: CPE, Design phase
RENATER/AMRES: CPE implementation, validation on hardware phase
RENATER: Internet eXchange Point, implementation phase
GRNET Data Center, design phase
PSNC, P design phase
PSNC, white box performance analysis

14. Task 1: White Box (WB) Data Plane Programming (DPP)
DPP advanced feature
NREN: CESnet, PSNC, GARR (Coordinator: Mauro Campanella)
Objectives: Explore new potential of P4-programmable white boxes
Network telemetry
Security (DDoS detection and mitigation)
DDOS mitigation
Telemetry

15. Task 1: White Box Router for Academic, Research and Education (RARE)
NRENs: KIFU, SWITCH, University of MURCIA (RedIRIS) , RENATER, JISC (Coordinator: Frédéric Loui)
Objectives: Demonstrate the feasibility of an open router for the academic community
Assessing the validity of Open Networking Control plane software
Determining if the use of an Open Networking Data plane platform is relevant to R&E use cases
Couple together such a Control Plane and Data Plane as a demonstrator s

16. Summary Work is progressing in all topics
LoLa, DTNs, white boxes, DPP, OTFN
QKD due to begin in January 2020
White box evaluation deliverable (D6.3) due in October 2019
We are interested in NRENs who wish to work with us in any of these areas
Do you have relevant use cases?
If so, please get in touch!
Come to our P4 side meeting on Thursday
Registrations still open at
Explore P4 uses cases including telemetry and DDoS mitigation

17. Thank you Any questions?
© GÉANT Association on behalf of the GN4 Phase 3 project (GN4-3).
The research leading to these results has received funding from
the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No (GN4-3).