History

SINET Promotion Office

Academic Information Infrastructure operated by NII

Collaboration with and promotion of academic research & educational activities at universities, etc.

Science Information NETwork 5

2019-2020

The Science Information NETwork (SINET) is an information communication network built and operated as academic information infrastructure for universities and research institutions throughout Japan. The network has nodes (network connection points) nationwide, and it is designed to promote research and education as well as the circulation of scientific information among universities, research institutions, and similar entities. In addition, SINET is also interconnected with many overseas research networks, such as Internet2 in the U.S. and GÉANT in Europe, to facilitate the circulation of research information across borders, which is necessary in advanced international research projects.SINET5 began operations in April 2016, and provides cloud computing, security and high-level academic information infrastructures to more than 900 universities and other institutions to organically share academic contents via a 100 Gbps network throughout Japan.

Legend : (Developing) (Full Service) InternationalDomestic

The SINET Promotion Office was established in October 2007 in order to promote the use of SINET. It provides consulting on the advanced use of the network, user support, and training and promotion regarding network services, and also carries out an educational campaign. If you experience any trouble or find something you do not understand, please contact us for assistance.

【Please direct queries to】SINET Promotion OfficeAcademic Infrastructure DivisionE-mail: support@sinet.ad.jp

To collaborate with and promote academic research and educational activities at universities and other academic and research institutions, SINET5 offers enhanced cloud and security features and academic content, on an ultra-high-speed network.

Services

Open access and sharing ofacademic information

2019.7

User consultation/responseConsulting on the use of network servicesInterviews/surveys on user requestsSolicitation of comments and requests for SINETTroubleshooting of performance-related problemsSupport for network service usageproblems and performance improvementsTechnology promotion and educational campaign(lectures and technological exchanges)Presentations on using SINET, educationalcampaign, use cases of SINET promotion, creationof documentation, and publication of information on the Web

Contact Info for InquiriesSINET Promotion Office, Academic Infrastructure DivisionE-mail support@sinet.ad.jp

https://www.sinet.ad.jp/en/2-1-2 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo 101-8430https://www.nii.ac.jp/

◆ Promoting open access to and distribution of academic information◆ Promoting enhancement and improvement of institutional repositories at universities

Cloud utilization support◆ Significantly reducing IT expenses and creating more sophisticated research and education environments by encouraging the effective use of cloud technologies

Construction and operation of the Science Information Network◆ Japanese domestic connection lines upgraded to 100Gbps nationwide◆ High speed connection with overseas countries (U.S., Europe and Asia)◆ Introduced the latest network technologies such as SDN, etc., to cater to diversifying needs

Support for collaborationbetween universities◆ Encouraging collaboration and mutual use of various resources between universities via systems with unified specifications

Enhanced security◆ Protecting information and facilitating safe authentication through the use of encryption technologies◆ Implementing cyber-attack countermeasures through linkage with network functionality

Academic contentinfrastructure

Academic Access ManagementFederation in Japan (GakuNin)HPCI (High Performance ComputingInfrastructure) authentication

Cloud support servicesSINET direct-linked cloud VPN

Electroniccertificates

Ultra-high-speed,high-performance lines

Joint/shared procurementof access lines

Wireless LAN roaming

1987 1990 20001995 2005 2010 2015 2019

Connection with US (National Science Foundation)Connection with UK (British Library)International E-Mail Service (CSNET/BITNET)

Access Point Service

Packet Switching (X.25) Network Service

SINET: Internet Backbone Network Service

Super SINETIPv6 Service

SINET3

Dedicated Line to ThailandDedicated Line to US

Dedicated Line to UK

SINET4

SINET5

Dedicated Line to SingaporeDedicated Line to Hong Kong

Dedicated Line to Europe

：Logical path (secondary) (internal paths omitted)

：Logical path (primary)

New YorkLos Angeles

West coast Ea

st c

oast

Tokyo

Singapore

CANARIE

CalREN

MANLAN

PacificWave

NetherLight

NORDUnetSURFnet

Hong Kong

Asi@ConnectHawaii

Auckland

Panama

Santiago

Sao Paulo

Fortaleza

Sao Paulo

Fortaleza

Sydney

Seoul

ESnet

Internet2 ：International line（100Gbps）

：Domestic line（100Gbps）

：Domestic line（400Gbps）December 2019-

：Node

Storage

General Purpose Servers

Universities Company ResearchInstitutes

Data Data

Storage

High-performance Servers

Universities, etc.Commercial CloudServices

Storage

GPU Servers, etc.

Data Data

Environments Offered by Cooperative Corporation

Data Data

SINET Dedicated Virtual Network

Carrier Mobile Network

L2VPN L2VPNVPNNetwork

SINET LinkVPN Configuring Function

Regional Community

Distant Area

Offshore

Nature Reserve

Experimental Field

Line

Area

Users can select data processing environment freely from computing facilities in universities, commercial cloud services, processing services offered by cooperative corporation to store and analysis data.

The service can support users to expand research activities not only by point-to-point wired connections but on extended area services with mobile connections.

REUNA

RedCL ARA

AARnet

100G×4

100G×2

100G

100G

100G

100G

100G

100G

100G

100G

100G

Scheduled for 2019

100G

100G(February 2019-)

100G

(Mar

ch 2

019-

)

100G(March 2019-) 100G (March

2019-)

100G

100G

100G

100G×3

Amsterdam

GÉANT

：SINET International lineThe figure only includes 100Gbps lines of each nation.

NodeNode

Node

GWNode

Node

Node

NodeNode

Node

Node

Amsterdamto Amsterdam

Los Angeles

New York

to New York

Singapore

The Science Information NETwork (SINET5) is operated to provide services for more than 900 perticipants that consist of universities or research centers to facilitate cloud computing, security and high-level academic communication via 100 Gbps network connection throughout Japan. SINET5 started operations of 100Gbps international lines in 2019 that connected around the globe from Japan to the U.S. West Coast, U.S. East Coast, Europe and back to Japan, and installed one 100Gbps line to Asia. SINET5 adopted a ring topology of international connection, that provides mutual backup connections between Europe and U.S. and enhances stability of communications. This configuration also makes it possible to balance load distributions and absorb fluctuations of network demands on U.S. and Europe-bound traffic. Through collaboration with overseas partners, SINET5 offers more sophisticated data transfer environment for joint international research, that enables users to access international experimental facilities, provisions of domestic experimental facilities, and realizes high-capability linkage between facilities both overseas and in Japan.

The Wide Area Data Collection Infrastructure https://www.sinet.ad.jp/en/wadci-eIn December 2018, SINET5 launched new experimental service "The Wide Area Data Collection Infrastructure".The service allows users to collect research data from various areas that could not be connected by wired network lines by using the mobile network provided by mobile carriers. In conjunction with secure network services (L2 VPN), research data can be collected and stored safely. User networks can connect to various data processing environments that realize one-stop and wide-ranging research processes.

SINET5 an ultra-high-speed, low-latency and scalable network that consists of optical fiber lines that make the shortest paths between network nodes and the latest cutting-edge transmission devices. In addition, redundant optical fibers enhance the reliability of network. It also minimizes the delay between arbitrary points by connecting nodes in a full-mesh network. In December 2019, a 400Gbps line will be launched between Tokyo and Osaka, which have the largest traffic.

Domestic Network TopologyNetwork Topology of SINET5

1 2

：Optical fiber ：Wavelength path ：Logical path (primary) ：Logical path (secondary)

：Optical fiber

：Logical path (primary)

：Logical path (secondary)

：Logical system (LS) ：VLAN paths ：Logical path：L2VPN ：VPLS

Access lines

Data center

（untagged）

（tagged）

（tagged）

VLANtranslation

TP partTP part

Data center

Data center

E/FE/GE (T)

IPv4/IPv6

IPv4/IPv6

L3VPN

L2VPN

IPv4/IPv6

VPLS

L2OD

GE (LX)

10GE (LR)

40GE (LR4)

100GE (LR4)

Load balancing

MPLS-TP

MPLS-TP

MPLS-TP

ROADM

ROADM ROADM

MPLS-TPMPLS-TP ROADMROADM

100GE

100GE

Loadbalancing

Loadbalancing

100GE

100GE

100GE

100GE

SINET

SINET

Campus LANoperator

Cloud DC (data center)

Enables free expansionof university LAN

Router B

LS1 (IPv4/6)

LS2 (L3VPN)

LS3 (L2VPN)

LS4 (L2OD)

LS5 (SDN)

Router A

LS1 (IPv4/6)

LS2 (L3VPN)

LS3 (L2VPN)

LS4 (L2OD)

LS5 (SDN)

University A Campus 2 University A Campus 3University A Campus 1

University A Campus 4 DC-LAN

Settingrequest

Routespecification Dynamic

setting

SINET

IX

GW (gateway) router

IXIX

GW (gateway) router

IX Transit ISP

ISPISPISPISP

ISP ISP ISPISP

Router

Participatinginstitution

Router

Participatinginstitution

Router

Participatinginstitution

Router

Participatinginstitution

：Link with participating institution ：Traffic analysis：Traffic sample analysis

Specifies range for VLAN-IDs(range of consecutive IDs between 2 and 4094)

VLANs for connection to the cloud arearranged between the campus LANoperator and the cloud service provider.Notification is then given to the SINET side.

Router

Router

Router

Users UsersUsersUsers

LS4 LS4LS4LS4

LS4 LS4 LS4

Dedicated virtualswitch for University A

Dedicated virtualswitch for University A

Dedicated virtualswitch for University A

Institution thatuses SINET

Institution thatuses SINET

Institution thatuses SINET

Institution thatuses SINET

L2ODserver

User 1

User 2

User 3

Controller（Development schedule）

GlobalRequester

NSICloudController

REST

Virtual University LAN Services

Framework for Secure Use ofCloud Services

High-speed File Transfer SoftwareIncreased Stability of Backbone Operation

Layer 2 (L2) On-demand Services

High Availability of SINET5

SINET5 Network ServicesSINET5 ArchitectureThe MPLS-TP of transmission devices is connected to routers with two or more 100Gbps links and carries out load balancing. Sections between each MPLS-TP are connected via ROADMs (Reconfigurable Optical Add/Drop Multiplexers) by both wavelength and logical paths, with dual logical paths (primary and secondary) being used to ensure high availability.

In order to expand and enhance network service functionality and build secure, advanced research environments for universities and research institutions, SINET5 offers an expanded range of user-oriented services, including virtual university LAN and L2 on-demand services.

Routers set logical systems (LS) for each group of services. Individual LSs are connected by VLAN connections.

3) Even in the event that both of the logical paths (i.e. primary and secondary) between two nodes are interrupted, routers autonomously form an alternative route within a few seconds, limiting the impact on user transmissions as much as possible.

2) Where two nodes are connected by two logical paths (primary and secondary) and the active path is severed, transmission rapidly switches over to the alternative route via the secondary logical path, and communication continues with no packet loss. Dual logical paths are arranged in an alternative redundancy route configuration, ensuring that the two paths do not affect one another.

1) Each node is connected to another by at least two or more alternative optical fiber routes, increasing the SINET5ʼs resistance to network failures in the event of optical fibers being severed.

SINET enables free expansion of university LANs to connect to multiple campuses and clouds.

・User side: Specifies range of VLAN-IDs. VLAN-IDs for connection to Internet/L2 & L3 VPN are specified separately. Use procedures for addition of each new VLAN-ID are unnecessary, enabling flexible operation by participating institutions.

・SINET side: Automatically recognizes VLAN-IDs at SINET nodes and automatically connects between multiple points.

U s e r s c an c onne c t t o L 2VPN/ VPL S on-demand, based on the connection points and start and end times (from short-term to long-term) they specify. Below is an image of how this service works when in use.

・L2VPN (P-to-P connection): allows optional specification of bandwidth and route

・VPLS (MP-to-MP connection): allows optional addition and removal of connection points

There are plans to enhance the traffic analysis functionality of the SINET backbone (i.e. the portion connecting the transfer side with external networks)

Even where the network is congested, or in high-latency environments such as with overseas-oriented transfers, SINET enables users to specify a transfer speed (= specified volume of data / specified period) and send files at high speed. When sending files, SINET avoids connections that are already being used to send data, and utilizes open connections.

(Reference) Cable TunnelsIn order to protec t them from earthquakes and other disasters, major optical fibers are installed inside underground tunnels called cable tunnels (or “todo” in Japanese).

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Router

TP

Node B

Node A

Node B

Node A

Node B

Node A

Router

Router

Router

TPTP

IP/MPLSlayer

MPLS-TPlayer

Communication between Node A and Node Bduring system failures

Physicallayer

High-speedalternativeroute

Autonomously forms alternativeroute and continues transmission

Cloud serviceproviderʼs commercialdata center

University A

University B

Service menuInternet connection（IPv4 & IPv6）Full Route ProvisionIP multicast（+QoS）QoS for each applicationL3VPN（+QoS）

L3 services

L2VPN/VPLS（+QoS）University LAN VirtualizationL2 on-demand（Basic）L2 on-demand（International collaboration: NSI）L2 on-demand（Cloud system collaboration: REST）

L2 services

Performance measurementHigh-speed file transfer supporting 100Gbps

MultihomingLink aggregationRedundant trunk group service

Redundancy of access lines

L1 services Leased-wavelength LineThe Wide Area Data Collection Infrastructure Secure mobile connections Provision started in December, 2018

Stabilization of network operations DDoS Mitigation functionNext-generation network fonctions

Enhanced transfer performance

NFV service

Rapidly increasingExpanding into multiple campusesUse in high-capacity transmission experimentsUse in international experiments

Security measures functionIn trial phase

Cloud service that University Bhas subscribed to

Connected via SINET (L2) VPN(can be treated in the same way as an

internal university LAN)

Cloud service thatUniversity A has

subscribed to

Connected via SINET (L2) VPN

Ch.0

Ch.1

Ch.2

Ch.3

Time 1 Time 2 Time 3 Time 4

Specified period: 32 milliseconds – 1 secondMultiple TCP connections made available for file transfers

Specified data volume: 64KB – 384MB

Time 0

Sending3

Sending1

Sending2

Sending4

5

SINET

In order to enable secure use of upper-layer services (e.g. e-mail and storage), SINET5 adopts a framework whereby the lines that connect cloud service providers to SINET are prepared by the cloud service providers themselves.

Use Cases

65

International Sharing of Extra-Large Volumes of Datafrom VLBI Observations Institutions : Geospatial Information Authority of Japan and

observatories worldwide

A Computer Network Enabling an Increasing Volume of Data Institutions : National Institute of Genetics

Environmental Science, Meteorology, Earth Science

Studying the Sun with the Solar ObservationSatellite Hinode Institutions : Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS),

NAOJ, and solar physics researchers worldwide

Institutions : The Institute for Cosmic Ray Research (University of Tokyo),　　　　　　 Osaka City University, Niigata University

Optically Connected VLBI Observation Using SINET L1On-demand Service

Institutions : National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), Hokkaido University,

Yamaguchi University, National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK)

The ALMA Project and SINET Institutions : National Astronomical Observatory of Japan

Asteroid Explorer "Hayabusa 2" Institutions : The Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (JAXA)

Cosmic Rays observation and research - Large-scale Cryogenic Graviationai wave Telescope "KAGRA", Large water Cherenkov detector "Super-Kamiokande" -

Space Science and Astronomy

Nuclear Fusion Research for a Clean Future Energy Institutions : National Institute for Fusion Science (NIFS), University of Tsukuba, Kyushu University

Distributed analysis of enormous amounts of data produced by the LHC accelerator

Institutions : The University of Tokyo,High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), University of Tsukuba, Waseda University,

Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Kyoto University of Education, Shinshu University, Okayama University, Hiroshima Institute of University, Nagasaki Institute of Applied Science, CERN, Etc.vv

Neutrino Research Institutions : Kamioka Observatory (ICRR, The University of Tokyo), J-PARC, domestic and overseas researchers

The "Belle Experiment": A Major Contribution to Confirmation ofthe Theory of Kobayashi and Maskawa, Nobel Laureates in Physics

Institutions : High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK),

Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, The University of Tokyo, Nagoya University, Osaka University, Etc.

SINET Speeds Up Japan-Europe Collaboration in International Research on Nuclear Fusion Institutions : National Institute for Fusion Science,

Japan Atomic Energy Agency

High Energy Physics and Nuclear Fusion Science

High energy research HPCI (High Performance Computing Infrastructure)

Nuclear fusion science research Astronomy research

Geodetic research Hayabusa-2 (Asteroid explorer)

Medical Information Backup Data transfer collaboration with NRENs

Promoting International Telemedicine Using Academic Networks Institutions : Kyushu University, universities in Asia

Telemedicine

International Remote Lectures Using SINET Institutions : University of the Ryukyus, Keio University, the Academic Arm of the United Nations,

University of Hawaiʻi, University of the South Pacific, Asian Institute of Technology, National University of Samoa

Remote Learning and Communications

I

D I

L1

od

L3

I

L2

L2 L3

I

L2 L3

L3 I

I

D od

I

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9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

14

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：L1VPN ：IP Dual：L2VPN/VPLS ：L3VPN ：International connection：On-demandL1 DL2 L3 Iod

LHC(Swiss)

eVLBI(Europe)

eVLBI(U.S.A.)

eVLBI(japan)

ITER(Remote Site)

Belle Ⅱ(Japan)

Belle Ⅱ(PNNL)

eVLBI(chile)

ITER(France)

© Rey.Hori/KEK

Credit © ITER Organization, http://www.iter.org/

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14

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3

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SINET has been utilized as academic information infrastructure essential for scientific research and educationin a broad array of areas in Japan. For details of SINET use cases, please visit the SINET website.

https://www.sinet.ad.jp/en/

：Refer to examples below

：Domestic institutions

：Overseas institutions

© Kamioka Observatory, ICRR, The University of Tokyo

© 2005-2016 CERN

As of 2010

FY2025 (Planned)

© Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, KEK© Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies, KEK

© JAXA

© JAXA