4.4 Network Design

4.4.1 Network Architecture

Figure 4.4.1-1 specifies the OOI network architecture, enabled by CI hardware and software infrastructure. The main elements of the network architecture are explained below; the CI operated elements are directly related to the CyberPoP configuration items as introduced in Section 4.3.4.

Figure 4.4.1-1 OOI Network Architecture (SV-2)

The Marine observatory networks operated by CGSN and RSN consist of the physical infrastructure, deployed instrumentation such as sensors and mobile assets, and of shore stations with infrastructure management systems. Marine observatory assets can contain a CI software deployment, the Marine Execution Point (MEP) CyberPoP, which will interface directly with asset resources and provide CI services and CI connectivity directly at the local execution point.

The primary interface to the CI is realized in the Acquisition Point. The Acquisition Point is the Observatory Acquisition Point CyberPoP (OAP), based on a CI Capability Container implementation (see Sections 4.1.3 and 4.3.5) deployed in a physical location, such as a rented data center facility, with a local deployment following the secure, reliable deployment patterns (see Section 4.4.3.1 below). The acquisition point provides all the capabilities provided by the Sensing & Acquisition and Data Management subsystems based on the COI and CEI infrastructure services. If needed, further services can be deployed. Thereby, observational data from the Marine observatories will be accepted and stored reliable and made available to the remaining network and the public as needed. The Acquisition Point also interfaces with infrastructure management systems of the Marine observatories and enables management and control of the Marine infrastructure and in particular the deployed instrumentation.

The Distribution Network (part of the National Internet Infrastructure NII configuration item) is a 10 Gigabit Ethernet switched Layer 2 network forming a loop throughout the US. It is based on exclusively rented bandwidth agreements using the National Lambda-Rail infrastructure. It will be operated by the CI IO. The distribution network is accessed by the various Acquisition points and further CyberPoP installations of the OOI network, such as Distribution Points and user operated Integrated Research Facilities.

The Management Network (part of the National Internet Infrastructure NII configuration item) is a Layer 3 IP network based on Internet-2 infrastructure with much lower bandwidth guarantees redundantly available connecting the different CyberPoPs and in particular providing management and operations access to the various network sites. The CI also enables direct access to observatory infrastructure and instrumentation through management network, for instance required by instrument providers for low level access and failure recovery.

The Marine Management and Observatory Management (realizing the Marine Operations Point MOP) nodes are based on a CI Capability Container implementation and provide network and resource monitoring, management and control capabilities. They also provide means and interfaces for operations control room consoles.

The Distribution Point refers to the Observatory Distribution Point (ODP) CyberPoP that acts primarily as a peering point into the various execution sites that provide data access, manipulation, analysis and visualization. It is also based on a CI Capability Container.

The Execution Point is a deployment of a CI Capability Container, listed as the Observatory Execution Point (OEP) CyberPoP, providing user targeted data access, manipulation and visualization capabilities. Execution points are instantiated at various execution sites that the CI supports and has contractual agreements with. The CEI provides services to provision and manage such execution points realizing elastic computing services. User integrated numerical models, graphical visualizations of observational data and other processes can be scheduled and executed. Web portals providing access to the OOI will be deployed on execution points on CI operated hardware, while user requested executions will be deployed in Cloud execution environments.

The Internet-2 IP network provides access to execution points from anywhere in the Internet, for web browsers, user software tools such as Matlab and other applications.

If users choose to join the OOI network, they can operate an own Integrated Research Facility with a software installation based on the CI Capability Container. This facility will have the capabilities to directly integrated with the OOI network and provides access to all OOI resources and services subject to policy. Users can directly tap into the OOI distribution network with 10 GigE high bandwidth communication link, by providing (renting) a communication line to an OOI peering point.

4.4.2 Network Layout

Figure 4.4.2-1 shows the full physical layout of the OOI network indicating the configuration of deployed CyberPoP installation, network connectivity and physical sites.

Figure 4.4.2-1 OOI Network Deployment (SV-2)