Want try out some new ideas in network research? ESnet invites you to submit a proposal to run experiments on its reconfigurable testbed.  ESnet’s ARRA-funded Advanced Networking Initiative testbed is a high-performance environment where researchers will have the opportunity to prototype, test, and validate cutting edge networking concepts.

Instructions for submitting proposals can be found here https://sites.google.com/a/lbl.gov/ani-testbed/. Proposals are due October 1, 2010. Decisions will be made January 10, 2011 when the Phase 1 version of the testbed is up and running. The phase I version is a set of 10 Gbps connected layer 1, 2, and 3 equipment that will be deployed on a dark fiber ring we  acquired in Long Island (LIMAN: Long Island Metropolitan Area Network). This will mainly be of interest to researchers doing experiments at layers 1-3, or middleware/application research at 10 Gbps.

The testbed will support research including multi-layer multi-domain hybrid networks, network protocols, component testing for future capabilities, protection and recovery,  automatic classification of large bulk data flows, high-throughput middleware and applications, and any other innovative ideas you may want to try out in a realistic network environment, but with no risk of breaking anything.

Try us. We’re open to suggestions.