This project will provide the Phase 2 systems engineering for the Global Environment for Network Innovations (GENI) project. GENI, a virtual laboratory for exploring future internet technologies and protocols at scale, creates major opportunities to understand, innovate and transform global networks and their interactions with society. Via the flexible and dynamic deployment of experiments onto common infrastructure, GENI re-imagines the methodology of both network system research and of potential early deployments and evaluation. It enables repeatable experiments on large, complex, networked systems At scale demonstrations of transformational ideas increases the opportunity for significant socio-economic impact.
At the start of the GENI program it was not clear that GENI was technically feasible. An early major goal was to show its feasibility. To this end, the GPO started a series of rapid, community-created prototypes via ?spiral development? so that hands on experience could drive its evolution. Each GENI spiral is 12 months long, and aims to drive down specific technical and programmatic risks. This proposal supports the engineering activities of spirals 4, 5 and 6. The task categories associated with the proposal are: a) Experiment support and direct aid to the research teams attempting to use the GENI prototype, including training and tools. b) Continued progress towards full Integration and Operations of the current GENI prototype including deployment of GENI racks, enhancing the integration with Internet 2 and National Lambda Rail, additional WiMax integration, campus expansion with the goal of having between 100 to 200 campuses ?GENI enabled?, and transition for 24x7 operations managed by Indiana University. c) Formalization and documentation of the GENI architecture. d) Systems Engineering work including security analysis of the GENI infrastructure, instrumentation and measurement tools and infrastructure, and subcontract technical management.
Broader Impact: The engineering process of building GENI has directly engaged the newest generation of faculty in students in a large-scale systems project. The experience of building a large-scale system is an educational opportunity that is providing direct benefit to the US computer research community. GENI is already being used as an instrument for research. This proposal supports and broadens the availability and usability of the research instrument.
