Provide ATM-based high-performance networking and advanced network services for GSFC-based ESS testbed systems and users enabling:
Utilize an ATM testbed to evaluate deployment strategies for new networking technologies. Cooperate with HPCC NASA Research and Education Network (NREN) and GSFC Center Network Environment (CNE) Projects on end-to-end architectures.
Collaborated with GSFC's CNE Project to incorporate the relatively stable 155 megabits/second ATM-based GSFC Earth System Science Network, serving ATM-connected science users in Buildings 21, 22, and 28, with the CNE's production ATM network deployed to Buildings 1, 12, and 32 and to operate these ATM networks behind 155 megabits/second ATM-connected Firewall Routers before indirectly connecting with the ATM-based NREN and Advanced Technology Demonstration Network (ATDNet) networks. Also upgraded part of the HPCC ESS ATM-based testbed network outside those firewalls to 622 megabits/second and enabled direct 622 megabits/second connections with both the ATDNet and Advanced Communications Satellite (ACTS) High Data Rate Terminal at GSFC, with NASCOM's R&D ATM network lab in GSFC Building 3/14, and with several GSFC UltraSPARC's.
Ordered a 622 megabits/second network interface card for our NetStar Gigarouter for indirectly interconnecting HIPPI-attached computers such as the new CRAY T3E, the three CRAY J932se's, and the Convex/UniTree system to the 622 megabits/second ATM network testbed. Also measured throughput performance of over 307 megabits/second between a pair of UltraSPARC's each directly connected to the testbed network at 622 megabits/second.
An ATM-based network infrastructure is a key component in the evolution towards shared use of remote network resident resources by the science community. Whether GSFC researchers use remote testbeds, remote Investigators use GSFC testbeds, Investigators move data between distributed archives and testbeds or link various combinations of distributed testbeds, or high-performance computing is used in some other scenario, an evolving high-performance transparent GSFC network is an essential component.
o FY98: Start evaluation of 622 megabit/second ATM links between multiple vendor sources and begin evaluating IP switching/flow techniques, such as those now delivered and/or proposed by Ipsilon (Flow), Cisco (TAG), IBM (Aggregate Route-based IP Switching (ARIS), and 3COM (Fast IP) to increase the packet per second throughput performance in IP-based routing.
o FY99: Begin evaluation of multiple 2.4 gigabit/second (OC-48c) port ATM switches and NIC's whose development is now being supported by the National Security Agency and Naval Research Laboratory.
Pat Gary
Goddard Space Flight Center
pat.gary@gsfc.nasa.gov
301-286-9539
http://everest.gsfc.nasa.gov/
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