Call for Participation
BANDWIDTH-INTENSIVE NETWORK APPLICATIONS AT SC'2000
November 6-10, 2000
Dallas, Texas
http://www.sc2000.org/

Overview

The SC conference on high-performance networking and computing has long been a place where high-performance computers and high-speed networks meet.  At SC'2000 in Dallas, the Scinet team will be creating a particularly exciting network infrastructure that will include multiple multi-gigabit (0C192) links to the show floor and connections to most high-speed national research networks.  In addition, the showfloor itself will feature a state-of-the-art wireless network, as part of the Escape event.  We hereby challenge the community to show that this unique network can be used to demonstrate exciting applications.

To this end, we are soliciting proposals for innovative (especially bandwidth-intensive) application demonstrations.  The general idea is that:

• you will propose ideas for amazing applications that will both overwhelm the Scinet network infrastructure and deliver both innovative application value, and commit to many sleepless nights getting these applications working.
• we will in turn commit to help you with:
  - high-speed access to networks
  - procurement and installation of specialized equipment, where necessary and feasible
  - space and equipment for your demonstrations, if you are not participating in a booth
• we will also work to ensure that your efforts get the recognition they deserve, via publicity prior to and during the conference, publications, etc.
• we will, in particular, award monetary prize(s) (of value to be determined) for the application(s) that our jury believes make the most effective and/or outrageous use of Scinet resources

We request a statement of intent to participate by June 15th, to assist with planning, followed by a proposal by July 15th.

Examples

The application ideas that you propose are entirely up to you, but here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

• The National PC Cluster Switch: formed by connecting large PC clusters (e.g., at NCSA, SDSC, ANL, etc.) via an OC192 switch on the showfloor.  Used for large-scale application demonstrations.
• SC'2000 High-Definition:  HDTV-quality remote presentations and/or collaboration technology linking in multiple remote sites.
• Find the Higgs Boson:  Use SC'2000 compute resources to analyze terabytes of high energy physics data transferred over the network.
• Break the world speed record for Terabyte data transfers (currently pegged at 900 Mb/s)

So you want to participate?

We've instituted a formal "call for participation" process for two reasons:

1. It allows us to find out what you want to do, and plan for it appropriately at the infrastructure level
2. It allows us to organize the publicity that will ensure that people get to find out about your work.

Here's how you go about responding to the call for participation:

• By June 15th, send e-mail to sc2000_netchallenge@mcs.anl.gov indicating your interest in participating and outlining what you want to do.

• By July 15th, send us us the following information:
  1.    Demonstration Title.
  2.    Primary contact person's name, institution, e-mail address.
  3.    Contact information for all collaborators (name, institution, e-mail address).
  4.    Project description
          a.  A paragraph summary of your application and its significance
          b.  A paragraph summary of hardware, software, and networking resources required for your application.
          c.  A paragraph summarizing how you propose to communicate how your network uses Scinet resources
          d.  URL address for further project documentation.
          e.  Graphics illustrating your application are encouraged.
  5.    Detailed technical requirements, including answers to these questions:
          a.  What capacity network do you expect to require?
          b.  Where are any off-site resources you will be using?
          c.  In what booth are any on-showfloor resources you will be using?
          d.  Do you require multicast? If so, to what sites will you connect?
          e.  Do you require other than IP communications?  If so, provide details.
          f.  Do you require specialized on-showfloor equipment for your demonstration, such as storage, computers, display devices?  If so,
              provide details.

A jury will review proposals for feasibility, and feedback will be provided to assure successful presentations.