What kind of requirements information is of interest to ESnet?
ESnet is interested in collecting the information necessary to accurately predict the future needs of its customers. This includes (of course) raw bandwidth numbers. However, it also includes the ways in which the network will be used. Many scientists don’t know exactly how their research, experiments and collaborators will make use of the network – that’s OK. Case study authors should try to describe the things that their research needs from the network (e.g. movement of data sets of a given size between facilities, remote instrument control, real-time collaboration using video conferencing, etc). If we need clarification we’ll ask for it. ESnet is interested in three different time horizons for the information provided in the survey: • Now, or in the next 12 months (near term) • 3-5 years from now (medium term) • 5+ years (long term) These three time horizons provide insight into future needs, growth rate, upcoming significant events, etc.
