Networks are vital to research disciplines. Collaboration and data mobility rely heavily on network infrastructure, and almost always cross administrative domains. Ensuring that things are operating well, on an end-to-end basis, is critical. Monitoring within a single domain is a common and accepted practice; cross-domain performance monitoring is difficult to do with traditional tools. perfSONAR is a widely-deployed test and measurement infrastructure that is used by science networks and facilities around the world to monitor and ensure network performance.
Institutions investigating perfSONAR deployments both abroad and domestically are sometimes limited by resources, especially for larger first-time deployments. In other cases, it may be adventageous for organizations or persons to have access to low-cost or smaller nodes for use diagnostically. Small, low-cost nodes can be an answer. The links below may be of assistance when researching low-cost options for perfSONAR deployments.
Small Nodes Links
Partner Deployments and Training
IN@IU is able to provide trainers and equipment resources for perfSONAR Deployments in the wild through NSF-funded grants; NEAAR and TransPAC. Below you will find links to perfSONAR Training resources and previous trainings our group has executed.
- APAN MaDDash
- ESnet MaDDash
- IRNC MaDDash
- KENET MaDDash
- SANREN perfSONAR Links and MaDDash
- WACREN MaDDash
perfSONAR Resources and Training Documentation
Workshops to date including IN@IU personnel and request forms for training/workshop support can be found on our Engagement pages.
Small Nodes Hardware
IN@IU continually tests and also listens to partners and peers testing results to provide the community with the best and most economical choices for small node hardware. Many other options exist and more still become available all the time. These recommendations are not comprehensive, nor should they be considered definitive endorsement; links given are for example/reference only. The nodes listed below are simply the preferred models of our testing and training staff. More information on the base requirements and recommendations of the perfSONAR Development Group can be found on their webpage at https://docs.perfsonar.net/install_hardware.html
- Product link: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/boards-kits/nuc/kits/nuc5cpyh.html
- Reliably tests at or above 800Mbps as a 1GE tester
- Recommended for small deployments or infrequent testing.
- Product link: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/boards-kits/nuc/kits/nuc7i3bnh.html
- Meets perfSONAR Hardware Recommendations in a small form factor (SFF)
SuperMicro Servers
- Product link: https://www.serversdirect.com/Servers/id-SDR-5019S-L/Supermicro_SDR-5019S-L
- 1RU, Half-depth
- Good for use as an economical MeshConfig and/or Measurement Archive Host
- 10GE capable testpoint; upgrade from base