What are e-Infrastructures?
'e-Infrastructures' is a new way of doing research.
e-Infrastructures have not only become necessary to deal with Increased complexity in tackling scientific challenges, but also as a strategic tool fo fostering collaborative innovation globally. e-Infrastructures enable researchers in different locations across the world to collaborate in the context of their home institutions or in national or multinational scientific initiatives. They can work together by having shared access to unique or distributed scientific facilities (including data, instruments, computing and communications). Find out more in our film and brochures
e-Infrastrucutres comprise 6 layers or ‘perspectives’:
Connectivity: The first is high speed connectivity. GEANT2 provides continuous top-of-the range connectivity with much higher levels of performance to researchers, educators and students in order to lower access barriers to distributed resources and instrumentation. Other projects like SEEGRID2 and EELA-2 help extend its reach to regions worldwide and ensure the real creation of virtual research communities.
Grid computing: Another essential layer is "Grid computing" which allows researchers to do huge calculations using many computers simultaneously. For example, EGEE-III which is a key component of storing and elaborating the data from the LHC, and many other collaborative scientific research projects. See GridTalk for more information on grid computing.
Supercomputing: harnessing the power of supercomputers to run in different calculations on parallel for a research projects is another yet distinct perspective of the grid computing layer. The DEISA project is a great example of what can be achieved when combining the power of the Eu supercomputer resources, and the PRACE project is illustrative of pioneering work done in this area.
Scientific Data: The third layer is a coherent and managed eco-system of repositories of scientific data that projects can share within and between different communities of research practice. Europe is defining consistent policies to enhance access to this scientific information, and ensure its sustained use and value in the long term.
Global Virtual Research Communities: With the maturing of the different ‘layers’ of e-Infrastructure, a new paradigm of research is developing, where communities of researchers in Europe and globally will work together sharing best practices, software and data virtually. These global virtual research communities will ensure societies reap the high innovation potential of multidisciplinary e-Infrastructure enabled research.
Standards: Finally when speaking of virtual global research communities an important reference needs to be done to the standards, without which no connectivity nor interoperability would be possible. Please browse the webpage of the OGF-Europe project and other important European initiatives like ETSI.
There are a great many research or testbed projects that use the e-infrastructures for different research application areas.
