Network

The three African RRENs – the UbuntuNet Alliance, WACREN and ASREN - interconnect their users - NRENs and research and education communities - in their respective regions. The RRENs also provide to the daily management of the networks, extending or upgrading them as and when required to cater for any additional needs.

Network management

Maintenance and management of the regional network is ensured via a Network Operating Centre (NOC). This is staffed by engineers who monitor performance, resolve any issues that arise and take preventative steps to optimise up-time. It is the responsibility of each partner to carry out and monitor day-to-day network operations, as well as organise periodic service and performance review meetings with connectivity providers in each of their regions.

Besides the maintenance of the existing networks, the RRENs assess procurement needs for connectivity, equipment and e-infrastructure in order to:

• Expand the reach of the network and increase the number of countries connected – when sufficient evidence indicates their national readiness and the potential positive impact on end users.
• Upgrade the backbone networks and improve the bandwidth and resilience of the existing links.

Cloud-based e-Infrastructure for African Open Science

Cloud e-infrastructures are especially relevant to support the development of a trusted and open environment for the scientific community to store, share and re-use scientific data and results. The UbuntuNet Alliance, WACREN and ASREN deploy cloud e-infrastructure individually, with the ultimate aim of achieving inter-operability in order to consolidate a common African Open Science platform for flexible and seamless access to a wealth of online computing services and data repositories.