CANARIE ORAN Programs

In January 2010, CANARIE’s Board of Directors recommended that $0.5 million be committed to the Program to assist ORANs. 

CANARIE’s preference is always to have a general program to support the ORANs rather than one that makes arbitrary distinctions among them. Therefore, this program is available to all Canadian-based ORANs.  

Only expenditures related directly to the ORAN’s transition to IPv6 are eligible.  Expenses outlined in the submitted proposal should also address the objectives defined in CANARIE’s Funding Agreement with Industry Canada.  These objectives are enumerated as follows:

Network Operations: To continue to operate the CANARIE network as essential research infrastructure and to the extent resources permit,

• Expand the provision of advanced network capabilities to Canada’s research and education community;
• Upgrade the capacity of the network in keeping with demand;
• Increase access to and use of the network by real and virtual organizations consistent with the network’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP); and
• Enhance Canada’s involvement in international networking and networking-focused collaborations.

Technology Innovation: To develop, demonstrate and implement next generation technologies to advance CAnet as a leading-edge research network, and to the extent resources permit,

• Develop service-oriented-architecture-based software interfaces and tools that facilitate flexible use of network resources;
• Develop service-oriented-architecture-based software interfaces, applications and tools that facilitate flexible and integrated use of distributed equipment and resources; and
• Reinforce Canada’s position as a recognized leader in the development and use of advanced research networks.

CANARIE has defined “performance measurement indicators” (PMIs) that should be used to determine the success of the activities being undertaken with funding provided through this Program:

PMI-1: Network Operations

• Successful installation of equipment required to transition to IPv6

PMI-2: Technology Innovation

• Successful deployment of IPv6 and availability to the ORAN stakeholders
• The Number of institutions who have transitioned to IPv6 and are benefiting from the implementation of the service
• Examples of where unnecessary bottlenecks were removed by implementing proper IPv6 routing
• Examples of how performance issues caused by network partial routing were reduced

ORANs, in consultation with CANARIE, may develop additional PMIs.

Based on these PMIs, ORANs will be required to submit a brief report on activities for each fiscal year for which funding is provided. This report will be due to CANARIE by May 31st of the year following any funded expenditures, starting in 2011.