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Recruitment for New AMP SitesResearcher: Kathy Benninger, NLANR Network Engineering Services (NCNE), Pittsburgh Supercomputer Center (PSC)In our collaborative High Performance Connection (HPC) environment, we often want to quantify network performance between sites. This performance information is extremely useful to various groups in a number of ways: end users care about the impact of the network on their application performance; network engineers need the information for research and the planning of upgrades and new installations; and funding agencies want to know the outcome of their investment. The deployment of the AMP monitoring platform is viewed as a valuable opportunity to implement network performance testing on a widespread, controlled, homogeneous basis. Currently, there are 116 AMP monitors (also known as "AMPlets") deployed and operational in the NLANR Measurement and Network Analysis Group's Network Analysis Infrastructure (NAI). The focus of the Active Measurement Project (AMP) is on site-to-site measurement and analysis across high performance networks. Network measurement data can only be improved with additional monitors in place; attaining the goal of installing AMP monitors at all NSF-awarded HPC sites is highly desirable. Therefore, a collaboration between the NLANR Network Engineering Services Group (Pittsburgh) and the AMP project staff of the NLANR Measurement and Network Analysis Group (San Diego) began. Kathy Benninger of PSC started to contact sites that had received an NSF HPC award, but had not yet requested an AMP monitor. Kathy began her recruitment efforts by sending out AMP summary email messages which briefly described the AMP project, included a site requirements list (noting that the monitors themselves are free), and provided links to sign up, as well as to get additional information. She was fortunate in many cases to have email addresses for the appropriate people at the sites. For the remainder, she searched Web sites to find contact information for the appropriate personnel. She has had positive responses using both methods. Many sites had already heard of the AMP project, and simply needed either a reminder, or a pointer, to request a monitor. The goal of full participation by all HPC sites has been advanced by Kathy's efforts. The AMP project staff and the entire NLANR Measurement and Network Analysis Group wish to thank her for her efforts in recruiting new sites. Her work has added nearly a dozen new sites to the AMP constellation – thanks, Kathy!! |
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