The European Initiative for Mediterranean Research Networking: EUMEDCONNECT

1
The European Initiative for Mediterranean
Research Networking EUMEDCONNECT

• David West
• DANTE
• david.west_at_dante.org.uk
• www.dante.net/

2
Partners

• Coordinating Partner - DANTE
• MED Partner countries/beneficiaries
• Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon,
  Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria,
  Tunisia, Turkey
• EU partners
• NRENs of France, Greece, Italy and Spain
• Funded up to 10 M EURO/80 by European Commission
  DG EuropeAid EUMEDIS programme
• Remaining funding from beneficiaries.

3
Objectives

• Connect the MED Partners RE networks
• to each other
• to the worldwide research community
• Connect the worldwide research community to the
  Mediterranean
• Help address digital divide and cohesion issues
  in the region

4
Phases

• Planning studies (Phase 1) Dec 2001 to June
  2002
• Tendering (Phase 2A) Nov 2002 onwards
• Service (Phase 2B) from Jan 2004 to June 2006

5
Challenges

• Limited cable infrastructure
• Monopoly national operators
• High commercial prices
• Lack of regional cohesion
• No consortium

6
Current Topology
155
155
155
45
155
20
Catania PoP
34
45
34
EUMEDCONNECT
GÉANT
7
Planned Topology
155
155
155
20
45
155
Catania PoP
155
45
45
8
34
Nicosia PoP
EUMEDCONNECT
45
GÉANT
8
Network Services and Support

• Intra-Mediterranean and MED/European research
  networking initially IPv4 IPv6 and multicast
  planned
• Commodity Internet as chargeable option (without
  EC support)
• Technical support and training for MED Partners
• Vendor donation of EUMEDCONNECT core network
  equipment being finalised
• Network Management provided by CS (runs the GEANT
  NOC)

9
Conclusions

• 7 of the 12 MED-Partners now connected by
  EUMEDCONNECT and/or GEANT, plans in place to
  raise to 9
• Solutions still being sought for Jordan, Lebanon
  and the Palestinians
• Foundations laid for greater RE collaboration
  between MED and EU
• EUMEDCONNECT acting as role model for further
  regional initiatives ALICE, SEEREN, TEIN2