CyberInfrastructure
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What is CyberInfrastructure?
The comprehensive infrastructure needed to capitalize on dramatic advances in information technology has been termed cyberinfrastructure. Cyberinfrastructure integrates hardware for computing, data and networks, digitally-enabled sensors, observatories and experimental facilities, and an interoperable suite of software and middleware services and tools. Investments in interdisciplinary teams and cyberinfrastructure professionals with expertise in algorithm development, system operations, and applications development are also essential to exploit the full power of cyberinfrastructure to create, disseminate, and preserve scientific data, information, and knowledge.
CyberInfrastructure and Mariachi
MARIACHI is a widely geographically distributed experiment and run by professionals and students of different backgrounds. The body of data collected by the experiment will require the use of modern day computer and network technology. At the same the experiment participants will need to be trained to fully take advantage of this technology. This requires training in both the use of hardware and software. The challenge of a widely distributed system is to first provide mechanisms to guarantee data integrity and secure transfer. This is especially true when a diverse population is involved. The collaboration also needs secure collaborative tools such as the wiki and secure email.
Though the data rate is not very large, the nature of the experiments and searches to be performed will require participants to become familiar in handling statistical data analysis. While spreadsheets such as Excel will provide preliminary analysis, we expect to introduce modern statistical data analysis packages, such as R.
In the context of the Mariachi project, cyberinfrastructure has several facets. Learning how to handle these tools is an essential step to perform experimental work in any area of science. Training and Educating participants to use these tools is one of the main objectives of MARIACHI. This process will take place while the experiment explores its science.
Grid Computing
A major part of future cyberinfrastructure is grid computing. MARIACHI is a member of the Open Science Grid and will be setting up a small farm for data processing.
Grid computing also provides authentication tools that the experiment will be using for:
- Secure e-mail
- Wiki authorization
- Data upload
- Remote login to data acquisition nodes.
- Grid software development
- Allowing researchers and students to perform analysis using Mariachi and Open Science Grid computing resources.
More Information
- Read about cyberinfrastructure and the NSF CI-TEAM program.
- This what an NSF panel had to say about REVOLUTIONIZING SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING THROUGH CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE
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