The NLANR Distributed Applications Support Team: Enabling Distributed Research in Middleware-Based Grid Environments

University Of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign, Urbana IL

Investigators

Abstract

The NLANR Distributed Applications Support Team is focused on supporting researchers and research communities in the use of resources embedded within high-performance networks and the middleware-based Grid environments that depend on those networks. This proposal sets forth a plan for the next stage for this leading edge team, building on previous efforts and assisting in the maturing of user communities in the use of distributed resources connected by advanced networks. This includes the development and extension of end-user and network engineer oriented tools for both high-bandwidth optical networks and low-bandwidth wireless networks, which will be the critical network components for advanced applications in the next several decades. Support functions will evolve from a focus on specific projects to being a community support organization fostering the development, support, and growth of a global community of network engineers and network support staff working to advance networking in support of global science. Outreach efforts will be expanded in raising awareness in new and emerging communities, such as those associated with major NSF MRE funding, of the dependencies these projects have with respect to networking technologies.