Software-Defined Optics in Last Mile for Research and Education in the Czech Republic

The Software Defined Networking (SDN) gained recognition due to its improvements at the packet switching and routing layers. The benefits of programmable, remotely controllable networking devices can be applied to the optical layer of contemporary networks as well. This work introduces CESNET's Czech Light~® family of devices and their role in enabling the SDN approach within the CESNET's production network. As a case study, an upgrade of the Cheb node in CESNET's network from a hard-spliced add-drop multiplexers to SDN-capable Reconfigurable Optical Add-Drop Multiplexers (ROADM) is presented. The upgrade improved operational capabilities of the network, including remote channel equalization, and the possibility to deploy new channels or lambdas without physical intervention. The deployment of ROADM also improved the optical properties of the network

Deliverable JRA1.1: Evaluation of current network control and management planes for multi-domain network infrastructure

This deliverable includes a compilation and evaluation of available control and management architectures and protocols applicable to a multilayer infrastructure in a multi-domain Virtual Network environment.The scope of this deliverable is mainly focused on the virtualisation of the resources within a network and at processing nodes. The virtualization of the FEDERICA infrastructure allows the provisioning of its available resources to users by means of FEDERICA slices. A slice is seen by the user as a real physical network under his/her domain, however it maps to a logical partition (a virtual instance) of the physical FEDERICA resources. A slice is built to exhibit to the highest degree all the principles applicable to a physical network (isolation, reproducibility, manageability, ...). Currently, there are no standard definitions available for network virtualization or its associated architectures. Therefore, this deliverable proposes the Virtual Network layer architecture and evaluates a set of Management- and Control Planes that can be used for the partitioning and virtualization of the FEDERICA network resources. This evaluation has been performed taking into account an initial set of FEDERICA requirements; a possible extension of the selected tools will be evaluated in future deliverables. The studies described in this deliverable define the virtual architecture of the FEDERICA infrastructure. During this activity, the need has been recognised to establish a new set of basic definitions (taxonomy) for the building blocks that compose the so-called slice, i.e. the virtual network instantiation (which is virtual with regard to the abstracted view made of the building blocks of the FEDERICA infrastructure) and its architectural plane representation. These definitions will be established as a common nomenclature for the FEDERICA project. Other important aspects when defining a new architecture are the user requirements. It is crucial that the resulting architecture fits the demands that users may have. Since this deliverable has been produced at the same time as the contact process with users, made by the project activities related to the Use Case definitions, JRA1 has proposed a set of basic Use Cases to be considered as starting point for its internal studies. When researchers want to experiment with their developments, they need not only network resources on their slices, but also a slice of the processing resources. These processing slice resources are understood as virtual machine instances that users can use to make them behave as software routers or end nodes, on which to download the software protocols or applications they have produced and want to assess in a realistic environment. Hence, this deliverable also studies the APIs of several virtual machine management software products in order to identify which best suits FEDERICA’s needs.Postprint (published version

Revision & improvement of structural cabling in the building of the Faculty of Music, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts

Předmětem této bakalářské práce je provedení analýzy kabelážního systému v budově Hudební fakulty Janáčkovy akademie múzických umění v Brně a následný návrh na jeho vylepšení na úroveň, odpovídající současným standardům. Práce řeší trasování horizontální sekce a fyzickou topologii sítě, jsou uvedeny doporučené aktivní prvky včetně jejich doporučeného zapojení, uvedené konkrétní nově nakoupené vybavení však není striktně vyžadováno. V závěru se práce zabývá finančním zhodnocením návrhu, které je pro veřejnou instituci klíčové.The objective of this bachelor’s thesis is to perform an analysis of structural cabling in the building of the Faculty of Music, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, and to propose an improvement of mentioned cabling system to achieve current industry standards of stability & reliability. Both horizontal cabling routes and physical network topology are taken into account; network hardware recommendation with its setting is also included, although mentioned newly purchased equipment is not strictly required. In the conclusion, the thesis deals with an economic evaluation of the proposed solution as a major decision-making factor for the chosen public institution.

The Development of eServices in an Enlarged EU: eLearning in the Czech Republic

In 2005, IPTS launched a project which aimed to assess the developments in eGoverment, eHealth and eLearning in the 10 New Member States at national, and at cross-country level. At that time, the 10 New Member States were Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia. A report for each country was produced, describing its educational system and the role played by eLearning within both the formal education system and other aspects of lifelong learning. Each report then analyzes, on the basis of desk research and expert interviews, the major achievements, shortcomings, drivers and barriers in the development of eLearning in one of the countries in question. This analysis provides the basis for the identification and discussion of national policy options to address the major challenges and to suggest R&D issues relevant to the needs of each country ¿ in this case, Czech Republic.JRC.J.4-Information Societ