EGI.eu signs agreement with UVACSE to benefit European researchers collaborating worldwide
Steven Newhouse, director of EGI.eu, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Andrew Grimshaw, Director of UVACSE (University of Virginia Alliance for Computational Science and Engineering). The agreement expands the network of technology providers for EGI and covers a range of objectives, from operation standards to training.
UVACSE is the latest partner to formally come onboard the European Grid Infrastructure (EGI) as a technology provider. Established in 2008 as a part of the University of Virginia in the USA, UVACSE not only manages shared compute resources, they also aid researchers and foster a multi-disciplinary ethos. Their resident 'Tiger Team' (a group of experts assigned to investigate and/or solve technical or systemic problems) advises the University’s researchers on issues related to computation-intensive research.
Great minds think alike. With some of UVACSE’s goals closely aligned with those of EGI for European researchers, a collaborative effort would bring natural benefit for international research projects.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on 17 July 2012, outlines 6 key objectives to be implemented by June 2014. Recognising the importance of developing middleware centred around users’ needs, both parties will work towards a robust, well-designed, user-centric software and components based around Genesis-II. This is an open source, standards-based grid middleware designed to support high-throughput computing and secure data sharing. Requirements will be gathered from users, with a view to integrating Genesis-II within EGI for use by its communities.
A complementary training strategy will focus on middleware installation, configuration and usage. This will not only help users to install and run the middleware, but also allow them to develop customised software on top of it. Training will be delivered at key events and self-guided learning materials will be developed for online access, including via EGI’s Training Marketplace.
To make sure a good quality of service is delivered to users, a formal Service Level Agreement will be produced and reviewed annually. A list of common standards will be defined for adoption within EGI as a priority and a release plan will be drawn up for deploying standards-based software components into production.
UVACSE and EGI will co-ordinate efforts to ensure the progress and results of this collaboration are communicated effectively to both of their respective audiences. They will also exchange insights on the sustainability of grid services, to make sure all the benefits brought about are delivered for researchers in the long-term.
More information
Visit the UVACSE website
Download the Memorandum of Understanding
9 August 2012
Viviane Li