How Can OFC, with a Real Life Test-Bed, Accelerate Innovation in the Optical Photonic Networks?
Abstract
Started in 2023, OFCnet brings a new opportunity to the exhibition and demonstrates products, concepts, solutions, research, and architectures in live high-speed optical networks connected to the leading research and education networks worldwide. This increased focus on designing and building next-generation Optical Networks will expand exposure to connectivity, emerging and next-generation network technologies such as Quantum Networks, programmable and software-defined optical networks, and their applications such as big data, security, and distributed classical and quantum computing. This workshop brings together the innovators and researchers who work on the mentioned topics to enrich the OFCnet community further and expand the contributing parties. We discuss how this initiative should be developed to ensure OFCnet enriches future community participation.
Organized and moderated by:
Cees de Laat, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Gwen Amice, EXFO, Canada
Reza Nejabati, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Presentation on the features and demonstrations that comprise OFCnet24
Marc Lyonnais, chair OFCnet
13:15
Introduction of panel on lessons learned from (preparing) technology demonstrations, opportunities, building networks from components, enabling new wave of demo’s
Cees de Laat
13:20
Duncan Earl, Qubitekk
Joe Mambretti, Northwestern University
Chris Janson, Nokia
Félix Bussières, Morax Idquantique
Mehdi Namazi, Quconn
Jerome Prieur, Aureatechnology
David Rodgers, Exfo
Panel session moderated by Cees de Laat and Gwennael Amice
14:15
Introduction of the Modified Rump Session approach to engage with industry and academic research labs regarding emerging technologies, research and innovation prototyping to be demonstrated at current and future OFCnet’s.
Reza Nejabati
14:20
Ben Dixon, MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Dimitra Simeonidou, University of Bristol, JOINER UK National Test-bed
Dynamos: DYNamically Adapive Microservice-based OS for Datasharing.
DYNAMOS demonstrates handling of SQL request on (synthetic) datasets of university salaries where the data needs to be protected at all times. This is implemented using a microservice architecture on Kubernetes. A policy enforcer, configured with JSON files, can determine data access control, on which (simulated) data providers and which archetypes are allowed. This system allows us to experiment with microservice security components, such as 'data pods', token authorization flows, secure networks, etc. Ultimate goal is to utilise security functions in networks and compute/data infrastructure to keep data safe.
In-Band Network Telemetry Based Path Trust.
Every user should be assured that data is routed securely through a Trusted Path, even in case of congestion or flow steering. We demonstrate a testbed with optical connections between programmable P4 switches that utilize In-Band Network Telemetry (INT). All P4 switches share the same key to encrypt communication with a Telemetry Collector and to decrypt packet header control information. All INT packets carry encrypted Path Tracing and Trust information about their source node. This establishes transparency, route accountability and trust to the path and the underlying hardware infrastructure.
UvA presence in OFCnet panel in EXPO III:
OFCnet Software Defined Infrastructures
Wednesday, 27 March, 13:00 -13:30
Reza Nejabati, Univ of Bristol, dr. Anestis Dalgkitsis and Jorrit Stutterheim MSc, University of Amsterdam, Gauravdeep Shami, Ciena.
In the realm of Software Defined Infrastructures, Bristol University is employing Multi-access Edge Computing and Neural Radiance Fields to revolutionize the creation, distribution, and consumption of 3D volumetric video, making immersive experiences more accessible.
Concurrently, the University of Amsterdam is building towards transparency and accountability at the network-level by employing In-Band Network Telemetry in Programmable Data-planes, ensures the secure routing of user data along a Trusted Path, even amidst flow steering events. To harness the ever increasing complexity of the control of cyber infrastructures the UvA also demonstrate DYNAMOS, a system built to dynamically create microservices in different compositions to enable diverse data-exchange scenarios based on dynamic archetypes.
Further demonstrating the versatility of software-defined infrastructures, Ciena and FABRIC have partnered to develop a mobile, software-defined FABRIC node, the tfNode. This node, fully equipped for demonstrations and presentations, serves as a tangible example of the potential of software-defined infrastructures, promoting the wider adoption of FABRIC technology.
UvA contributes two team members in OFCnet:
Cees de Laat, team-lead OFCnet workshop
JP Velders, team-lead OFCnet Security
Demos:
1
Dynamos: DYNamically Adapive Microservice-based OS for Datasharing.
The demo of DYNAMOS lets a user make an SQL request on a (synthetic) dataset of university salaries. The request is handled by four microservices on Kubernetes in a one time job, which is deleted after use. The demo supports 2 archetypes:
compute to data
data through a trusted third party
The policy enforcer, configured with JSON files, can determine who has access to the datasets, on which (simulated) data providers, and which archetypes are allowed. In the demo we can currently show that a request is made, which is executed with a certain archetype. Then the archetype can be adjusted in the contract of the person concerned, and the next request will be executed according to the new archetype. This system allows us:
to experiment with different archetypes in a digital marketplace environment
to experiment with 'atomic' micro-services as core components of a digital marketplace environment - experiment with algorithms that can make choices in the
optimal archetype for the current situation
to experiment with security components, such as the concept of 'data pods', token
authorization flows, secure networks, etc.
The work as presented in this abstract has been done as part of the Dutch Research project; ̃Data Logistics for Logistic Data" (DL4LD), supported by the Dutch Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Dutch Institute for Advanced Logistics TKI Dinalog (http://www.dinalog.nl/) and the Dutch Commit-to-Data initiative (https://www.dutchdigitaldelta.nl/big- data/over-commit2data). CIENA is an essential partner providing funding and equipment in DL4LD.
This UvA demonstration is based on the principle that every user should be assured that their data are routed securely through a Trusted Path, even in case of congestion or flow steering. The demonstration comprises of a remote connection to a testbed with optical connections between programmable P4 switches that utilize In-Band Network Telemetry (INT). All P4 switches, share the same key to encrypt with a Telemetry Collector to decrypt packet header control information (via Symmetric Cryptography) that traverse the data plane. All INT packets carry encrypted Path Tracing and Trust information about their source node. This establishes a level of trust for the current path. The demonstration includes a congestion scenario, where a backup path is used. The change of the path will then be visible to the user with a Graphical User Interface. This conveys transparency, route accountability and trust to the path and the underlying hardware.
