BOREAS - Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Projects will benefit from BOREAS? (draft)

Projects that will benefit from the BOREAS network are ones that include the following activities:

  • Distributed Data Management
  • Massive Computations
  • Access to Remote Instrumentation
  • Grid Computing
  • On-line Meetings
  • New Network Paradigms

Distributed Data Management

Data sets are becoming larger, more complex, and distributed.   Many of the disadvantages of being geographically distant to other data sources are eliminated by the BOREAS network.   Projects of this sort include the need to:

  • Access large databases at other institutions.
  • Access and aggregate data from multiple sources around the country.
  • Provide off-campus access to databases located on campus.
  • Participate in collaborative management of inter-institutional distributed databases.

Massive Computations

The ability to access computational resources (such as clusters and supercomputers) at other institutions and centers around the country is greatly enhanced by BOREAS.   Projects of this sort include the need to:

  • Make use of the TeraGrid (supercomputing centers).
  • Reduce the computational latency introduced by the speed (or lack) of the inter-institutional network.
  • Participate in inter-institutional computational grids. (BOREAS is a necessary step to becoming a TeraGrid member organization, for example.)

Access Remote instrumentation

Several investigators work with instruments (spectrometers, microscopes, detectors, etc.) at other institutions.    The need for traveling to these instruments is reduced if they are network accessible and the network bandwidth is sufficient to support remote control of the instrument.   Often, the datasets from these remote instruments are quite large. BOREAS will enable or enhance the transfer of this type of data to each campus.  

Grid Computing

Grid Computing is a new technology that may produce the next networking “killer app.”   Grids enable access to a number of distributed computer resources through a simple user interface. Iowa researchers participate in a growing number of regional and national grids.   BOREAS will provide the network performance required to participate in these inter-institutional projects at the same level of connectivity as other institutions.  

On-line, inter-institutional meetings

The enhanced network performance provided by the BOREAS network will improve capability to participate in on-line inter-institutional meetings and to use distance learning to teach courses.   Projects that will benefit in this area include those that require:

  • Richer content — BOREAS provides the ability to transmit more bandwidth intensive content such as Digital Video DVTS, 3D interactive graphics, and shared data and documents.
  • Enhanced fidelity — BOREAS will improve the quality of the video signals used in video conferencing.
  • Increased capacity – BOREAS will allow the size of virtual meetings to increase.   This is particularly useful when doing “virtual lectures” involving dozens of students.

New networking paradigms

Using dark fiber and DWDM(Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) technology, network technology researchers will be able to test new paradigms for using the network.   This could involve unique applications running on a dedicated channel.

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Copyright 2006