ESnet Network Requirements Reviews

DOE Office of Science - Network Requirements for Science Programs

ESnet conducts bi-annual network requirements reviews to determine the current and future science networking requirements for the six DOE Office of Science program offices. The purpose of these reviews is to accurately characterize the near-term, medium-term and long-term network requirements of the science conducted by each program office.

The reviews attempt to bring about a network-centric and data-centric understanding of the science process used by the researchers and scientists, and to derive network requirements from that understanding. The collected requirements, along with their science context, are captured in a formal review report. Stakeholders have found this to be an effective method for determining network requirements for ESnet's customer base, and ESnet continues to work with stakeholders to improve the process as scientific needs evolve.

Specifically, ESnet and DOE completed an in-depth analysis of the ESnet Network Requirements Program in 2017 and is in the process of updating key elements of the process, based on stakeholder input.

Review Process

The reviews typically begin with presentations by ESnet staff and by the program managers from DOE. If appropriate, other presentations from significant partners may also be given (e.g. Internet2, NASA , NCAR, NIH, NSF). After that, review attendees talk through the case studies in turn, and the science and its use of the network is discussed. We have found that round-table discussions are much more productive for case study discussions than formal presentations - the interactivity of a round-table discussion is typically very valuable. For this reason, presentation time is typically limited to 5 slides and 10 minutes, with the remaining time devoted to discussion of the case study content.

After the reviews, attendees update their case study documents with information or clarifications from the review. Soon after the Review, ESnet staff compiles case studies into a final report, including any material that came up in the review that does not fit into one particular case study (e.g. needs or issues that affect all science done by the program). After the report is examined and approved by all participants, the final report is posted in the requirements section of the ESnet web site.

There is a FAQ page that provides more information for case study authors.

Upcoming Reviews

2023 NP Requirements Review

Previous Reviews

ESnet templates for DOE RR

The principal inputs to the reviews are the views of the DOE SC program office, the experience and expertise of the scientists present at the review, and "case study" documents describing the science involved. A case study document describes the science being done, the ways in which the scientists use the network in the process of doing their science, the instruments and facilities used, how scientists interact with the network, and how these things are likely to change over time. In addition to the narrative text describing the science, a case study includes a table or other informational graphic containing a distillation of the network-centric aspects of the science.

ESnet is currently updating the Case Study template for use in late 2018, but in general, the template will include these questions: