EGI Federation Core Services: Supporting Research Across Europe
The EGI Federation Core represents a cornerstone of scientific collaboration, delivering essential services that underpin seamless, reliable, and scalable data-intensive research across Europe. From infrastructure-level tools to user-facing capabilities, the Federation Core ensures that national and thematic e-infrastructures operate in an interoperable, interconnected manner while providing researchers with the resources they need to tackle global challenges.
What is the EGI Federation Core?
The EGI Federation Core is a suite of services that collectively form the backbone of the EGI infrastructure. These services are divided into two main categories, and are part of the overall EGI services:
- Services for Federation: This foundational layer enables the smooth operation of the Federation by ensuring interoperability and interconnection among national and thematic e-infrastructures.
- Services for Research: These user-facing services offer computing, storage, and analytical tools that empower researchers to store, share, and analyse data, turning infrastructure capabilities into meaningful solutions for scientific progress.
Sustaining the Federation Core
Services in the EGI Federation Core are co-funded through a sustainable model supported by membership fees from the EGI Federation. This ensures a steady stream of funding for the maintenance and operation of these services. Additionally, service providers contribute their expertise and resources to ensure efficient and reliable delivery.
Complementing this foundation, projects co-funded by the European Commission also play a crucial role in enhancing the sustainability and innovation of the Federation Core. Key projects coordinated by EGI, such as EOSC Beyond, interTwin, iMagine, and ENVRI-Hub NEXT, provide significant contributions to the advancement of these services.
A Robust Portfolio for 2024–2026
“The selection process we carried out in 2024 defines a robust portfolio for the Federation Core for the current three-year period. We are proud to work together with the providers on the delivery of the services that underpin cutting-edge research across Europe and beyond in disciplines from life sciences to physics.”
– Gergely Sipos, Head of the Services, Solutions and Support Department
With a carefully curated portfolio, the Federation Core is poised to support the diverse needs of the research community, ensuring both operational excellence and transformative impact.
The EGI Federation Core services represent a coordinated effort to provide advanced infrastructure, tools, and support for researchers across Europe and beyond. With contributions from trusted partners, the Federation ensures reliable access to computing, data, and collaboration resources, enabling scientists to address global challenges.
List of Services and Providers in the EGI Federation Core (2024-2026)
- Accounting Portal and Repository (CESGA and STFC): EGI Accounting stores user accounting records from various services offered by EGI, such as Cloud, HTC and storage usage.
- AppDB (IASA, transitioning to MUNI): A central catalogue and staging platform for virtual appliances and tools used on the EGI Federated Cloud, enabling seamless deployment and sharing of resources.
- Check-in (GRNET): A robust Authentication and Authorisation Infrastructure (AAI) that provides secure and federated access to EGI services for researchers and service providers.
- Cloud Container Compute (MUNI): A container orchestration platform based on Kubernetes, designed to support containerised scientific applications and workflows.
- Configuration Database (STFC/UKRI): A registry of infrastructure components and configurations that underpins efficient operation and resource allocation in the Federation.
- Data Transfer (CERN and UKRI): A high-performance service for secure and reliable movement of research data across geographically distributed sites.
- DataHub (CYFRONET): A service providing seamless access to federated data repositories, fostering collaboration and efficient data sharing among research communities.
- Dynamic DNS (IISAS): A service that supports the assignment of memorable and dynamic hostnames to resources running on the EGI Cloud infrastructure.
- fedcloudclient (IISAS): A command-line interface (CLI) tool that simplifies user interaction with EGI Cloud providers, streamlining access to federated cloud resources.
- Helpdesk Platform (KIT): A centralised issue tracking and resolution platform ensuring prompt and efficient support for users and providers across the Federation.
- Infrastructure Manager (UPV): An automation tool that simplifies the deployment and management of virtual infrastructures across heterogeneous cloud providers.
- Messaging Service (GRNET): A communication tool supporting Capacity Management (CAPM) and Service Availability and Continuity Management (SACM), ensuring reliable message exchange.
- Notebooks (CESNET): An interactive environment for developing, analysing, and sharing data-driven research using popular programming languages and tools.
- Operations Portal (CNRS): A central hub for monitoring and managing the EGI infrastructure, offering insights into resource availability, usage, and operational status.
- PERUN (CESNET): A flexible identity and access management solution tailored to support the authentication and authorisation needs of the EGI Federation.
- Replay (CESNET): A tool designed to support reproducible research by capturing and replaying computational workflows and analyses.
- Secrets Store (IISAS): A secure repository for storing and managing sensitive credentials and data used in research environments.
- Security Coordination and Tools (CERN, GRNET, IJS, NIKHEF, STFC): The expertise of EGI CSIRT and the security tools to monitor the distributed services of EGI Federation.
- Service Monitoring (GRNET and SRCE): A comprehensive monitoring system providing real-time performance insights and reliability metrics for core services.
- Software Distribution (UKRI): A service ensuring the reliable dissemination of research software and tools across the EGI community.
- Software Validation and Infrastructure (CSIC and LIP): A quality assurance service ensuring software tools are thoroughly tested and ready for deployment in production environments.
- Workload Manager (CNRS): A powerful scheduling and execution system that optimises the management of computational jobs across distributed resources.