Logical IP network service utilizing UCLP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MONDAY, May 14, 2007

MANTICORE project Phase I: The specification of a logical IP network service utilizing UCLP

HEAnet and the i2CAT Foundation have started a new framework of collaboration under the just released UCLPv2 system, in order to progress and identify new services and network architectures

MANTICORE (Making APN Network Topologies on Internet COREs) is a project proposal to define the guidelines and specifications of a logical IP network, by providing a Web Services based system to offer APN (Articulated Private Networks), LR-WS (Logical Router Web Service) and Peering Web services to end users, which would allow them to create their own logical IP networks across the physical network. This project proposal consists of two phases. The first phase will be focused on defining the specifications of what is understood as a logical IP network Web Service with APN and LR-WS functionalities under the scope of UCLPv2. These initial ideas will be peer reviewed by external people and there will be a tentative check on real IP equipment. During the second phase there will be a rigorous implementation of the architecture and the specifications defined during the first phase.

MANTICORE extends existing User Controlled LightPath (UCLPv2) technology by adding the ability to manage Logical IP networks and the equipment that supports them by means of Web Services. This opens the possibility to configure end to end logical IP networks - routers as well as links - independently of the underlying network topology. The project aims to define requirements in an open basis, in order to allow its future implementation over any manufacturer's device. Therefore, major players will be requested to participate.

The specifications referring to LR-WS and Peering-WS will manage the physical devices and represent an abstract logical router towards the UCLPv2 middleware. Initially, these interfaces will use an XML API and NetConf to control both the logical devices and the physical host equipment. The objective is to provide an interface for devices that support XML APIs.

The second component involved in the study is the architecture of the IP Network-WS, which represents the IP services offered by UCLPv2 middleware towards the end user. This component represents a device-independent IP service and its associated configurations, and exposes abstract IP network services to end users, hiding equipment-specific or topology-specific details.

The MANTICORE’s use case definition and requirements gathering is underway (first phase of the project), and will be evaluated by different international researchers with expertise related to new architectures based on Logical Router and Peering Web Service functionalities. This assessment will validate the completeness of the project specifications defined during the first phase.

Before starting the second phase of the project, some organisations will be contacted in order to find out their interest in participating in the implementation to be performed during the second phase, in which a lab for experimental testing will be implemented on for instance HEAnet or i2CAT premises. If you are interested in actively taking part in this second phase please let us know.



About HEAnet

HEAnet is a world class provider of high quality Internet services to Ireland’s Universities, Institutes of Technology and the research and educational community including primary and post primary schools. HEAnet uses technology that places Ireland amongst the leading countries of the world.

HEAnet plays an essential role in facilitating leading edge research involving national and international collaborations between Irish researchers and students and their colleagues across the globe. It also enables leading researchers to live in Ireland and develop their ideas here.



About i2CAT

i2CAT is a non-profit Foundation aimed at fostering research and innovation supporting advanced Internet technology. Based in Barcelona, Spain, i2CAT promotes deployment of services and wideband applications from private and public research companies supporting the Catalunya region. The i2CAT model aims to make Internet research and innovation accessible to the whole of society through collaboration between the public sector, businesses and research groups within universities and the educational world. i2CAT is one of the original developers of UCLPv2. (www.i2cat.net)



Contact People

HEAnet: Victor Reijs (victor.reijs@heanet.ie)

i2CAT: Sergi Figuerola (sergi.figuerola@i2cat.net)