About VINAREN

I. History

On 16 December  2004, according to the document No. 6880/VPCP-QHQT signed by Minister, Head of the Government Office, Doan Manh Giao on the approval by Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan on the participation in the Trans-Eurasia Information Network, Phase 2 (TEIN2) project, the Ministry of Science and Technology was assigned as the focal point, coordinating with other relevant Ministries to participate in the TEIN2 project.

On 07 January 2005, the Minister of Science and Technology, Hoang Van Phong, sent a commitment letter to EC and DANTE on the participation of Vietnam in the TEIN2 project, and agreed to contribute finance to the phase 2 from 2005-2007.

On 23 September 2005, the Vice Minister of Science & Technology, Tran Quoc Thang, signed the letter on commitment to participate in the pilot operation phase, including financial commitment to pay the international network connection fee for the first year, with the bandwidth of up to 155Mbps.

On 03 December 2005, in Ha Noi, the Ministry of Science & Technology held the 1^st VinaREN Conference on the need to connect internationally with TEIN2 and on the establishment of VinaREN.

On 19 April 2006, the Ministry of Science & Technology issued the Decision No. 766/QD-BKHCN on assigning the National Center for Scientific and Technological Information (NACESTI) as the coordinator of the project.

On June 2006, the Ministry of Science & Technology successfully organized the TEIN2 Technical Conference in Ha Long. In this Conference, TEIN2 was officially launched in Vietnam. A number of organizations was able to connect to TEIN2.

On 12 December 2006, the Government Office sent the document No. 7289/VPCP-QHQT on the approval by the Deputy Prime Minister, Pham Gia Khien, on the direction for Vietnam to participate in the Asia-Pacific Advanced Network (APAN) and development of the Vietnam Research and Education Network to connect among leading research institutes, universities in Vietnam and link to international community via TEIN2. The Ministry of Science & Technology was in charge of coordinating with relevant Ministries to prepare a detailed proposal on the Vietnam Research and Education Network.

On 22 February 2007, at the 22^nd APAN Conference in Manila, the Philippines, Vietnam was officially joined APAN and NACESTI became a primary member of this network.

At the beginning of 2007, based on the request of the Ho Chi Minh City’s National Assembly Delegation and with permission from MOST, NACESTI started to implement the North-South connection. Since April 2007, the North-South backbone connection with a bandwidth of 45 Mbps connecting Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and TEIN2 has been operating. A number of major research institute and hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City have connected to the backbone by optical fibres (Ho Chi Minh City’s Center for Science and Technology Information (CESTI), Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Tu Du Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Service, Institute of Tropical Biology, Ho Chi Minh City’s University of Agriculture and Forestry, Institute of Information Technology-VAST). In Ha Noi, a number of institutions also connected to TEIN2 (Central Hydrometeorological service, Vietnam National University-Ha Noi, Bach Mai Hospital, Ha Noi Medical University). In the first stage, VinaREN was formed by s number of founding institutions and has implemented some network applications significant to distance learning, weather forecast, typhoon alert, distance diagnosis, video conference, etc.

On 20 April 2007, MOST approved the TEIN2 project in Vietnam and nominated NACESTI to be the project investor.

On   , the first VinaREN Workshop was held in Ha Noi with the participation of researchers and technical advisors. The Conference was aimed at introducing TEIN2 project and the possibility of Vietnam to participate in TEIN2.

On 17-20 July 2007, the second VinaREN Workshop was held in Ha Noi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City to introduce TEIN2 project and its activities. Participating in the workshop include leaders and technical staff of research institutes, universities, hospitals that are invited to participate in the project.

VinaREN National Conference was held in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the official launching VinaREN at national scale and promoting the use of VinaREN for research and development and learning in Vietnam, and strenghthening domestic and international cooperation based on advanced network.

II. Objectives:

2.1. Development objectives

To establish and develop VinaREN to connect with regional and international research and education networks, in order to increase R&D effectiveness and efficiency, promoting international cooperation and integration in the field of research and development, contributing to the national industrialization and modernization.

2.2.  Specific objectives

-   To develop a high-speed backbone linking networks of major research and education organizations in Vietnam;

-   To  link VinaREN with regional and international research and education network via TEIN2 with a bandwidth of 45/155 Mbps and via other international network;

-  to provide support on network connection, technologies, content and connection cost for research and education institutions in Vietnam, who are member of VinaREN;

-   To formulate and implement policies for sustainable development of VinaREN;

-   To promote research and development of network services and advanced applications in Vietnam.

 III. Structure

3.1. National backbone

The national backbone of VinaREn includes 3 core Routers CISCO 7609S which are located in Ha Noi (NACESTI), Da Nang (Da Nang’s Department of Science & Technology), Ho Chi Minh City (CESTI) and 02 Routers CISCO 7609S located in Hue (linked to the core Router in Da Nang) and Can Tho (linked with the core Router in Ho Chi Minh City). These Routers are connected together by optical fibre operated by EVN Corporation.

3.2. Network Operating Center (NOC)

VinaREN has three regional NOCs (also called NOC level 1) located in Ha Noi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City and 2 sub-regional NOCs (NOC level 2) located in Hue and Can Tho. Later on, based on demand, some NOCs level 2 can be established in other regions such as coastal area in the North (Hai Phong), Northern mountainous area (Thai Nguyen) and Tay Nguyen (Buon Me Thuat).

Northern NOC is called NOC-HN – also acting as the National NOC or VNNOC

        Southern NOC is called NOC-HCM

        Central NOC is called NOC-ĐN.

        North Western NOC is called NOC-TN

        North Central Regional NOC is called NOC-HUE

        Mekong Regional NOC is called NOC-CT

3.2.1.  NOC has following functions:

        Manage and maintain regional NOC operation;

        Ensure the connection between regional NOC with other NOCs and with VinaREN’s members;

        Monitor, detect problems and coordinate with VNNOC and other NOCs as well as connection providers to solve problems;

        Cooperate with VNNOC and support member networks to carry out activities on VinaREN, APAN, etc.

3.2.3.  Vietnam Network Operating Center - VNNOC

Vietnam Network Operating Centre - VNNOC is responsible for monitoring all activities of the whole VinaREN and its international connection portals. At present, VinaREN has international connection with TEIN2/TEIN3 and connect with commercial Internet, providing access to domestic and international e-resource through the Vietnam Library Consortium on E-resources. In the future, it is expected to connect with GLORIAD and other international networks.

VNNOC is the national coordinator of VinaREN, it has following missions:

       Promote, implement, maintain and develop VinaREN;

       Manage VinaREN’s resources and activities;

       Provide access portal to e-resources on Internet;

       Carry out international cooperation activities for VinaREN;

       Organize network application activities at the national and international scale.

VNNOC is equiped with powerful servers for network management (Ciscowork LML 2.6), anti-virus, bandwidth management, effiency management, system monitoring, etc.

National connectivity for VinaREN

3.3.    Telecommunication infrastructure

3.3.1.   International connection

The international connection of VinaREN to TEIN2 from Ha Noi to Hong Kong is provided by Viettel Corporation (via international tender). From October 2008, this connection will be upgraded to 155 Mbps.

3.3.2.  National backbone connection

The national backbone of VinaREN was formed on the basis of linking core Routers through separate channel provided by EVN Corporation. The detailed connections are as follow:

      HN-HCM:   155Mbps. When the demand for bandwidth between NOC-HN and NOC-HCM increases, this connection can be upgraded to 1 Gbps;

      NOC-HN and NOC-ĐN:  45 Mbps;

      NOC-HCM and NOC-ĐN: 45 Mbps;

      The connection between NOC level 2 and NOC level 1 (Hue - Da Nang and Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City) are operated via a Core Switch located at level 1 NOCs with a bandwidth of 45 Mbps;

      Based on actual demand and capability, the connection between individual institutions and NOCs may be operated by Fast Ethernet optial fibre (10/100 Mbps), Giga Ethernet optical fibre or E1 line (separate leased line) or other popular technologies offered by telecommunication providers  in that localities.

      VinaREN is using a 40 Mbps commercial Internet connection provided by the Vietnam Telecommunication Corporation;

3.3.3. Telecommunication infrastructure

Telecommunication infrastructure in Ha Noi

VinaREN’s telecommunication infrastructure in Ha Noi was established based on RING structure, including 03 major nodes (VNNOC, POP-VAST – Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology and POP-WRU – University of Irrigation). Member networks connect directly to VNNOC, POP-VAST, POP-WRU by optical fibre with Fast Ethernet standard. Those member network with appropriate technical capability can connect to POP or NOC by Giga Ethernet technology. 

Telecommunication infrastructure in Da Nang

There are 4 member network connecting to NOC-DN by direct optical fibre. 

Telecommunication infrastructure in Ho Chi Minh City

There are 14 member network connecting to NOC-HCM by direct Fast Ethernet or Giga Ethernet optical fibre. 

Telecommunication infrastructure in Can Tho

There are 4 member network connecting to NOC-CT by direct Fast Ethernet or Giga Ethernet optical fibre.. 

3.5.  Allocation of IP address

It is expected that by December 2010, VinaREN will use 24 layer C  of IPv4 addresses. Member institutions are granted n x 32 IP addresses (Number n depends on actual demand on each institution). The whole VinaREN network has been granted 2406:9000::/32 Ipv6 addressed. Based on actual demand on Ipv4 and IPv6 of member networks, VNNOC will allocate adequate number of IP.

In case the demand for Ipv4 addresses increases, VNNOC will ask providers for granting more IP to member institutions.

IP allocation status by VinaREN 2006-2009

In the period of 2008-2009, IPv6 will be tested, and from 2010, members will be encourage to use IPv6.

IV. Organization

Due to its interdisciplinary characteristics, VinaREN needs to be properly organized in order to coordinate, advise and operate the advanced network, the Ministry of Science & Technology has established following organizations:

4.1. VinaREN Steering Committee

Including representatives from following Ministries:

-     Ministry of Science and Technology;

-     Ministry of Planning and Investment;

-     Government Office;

-     Ministry of Finance;

-     Ministry of Information and Communication;

-     Ministry of Foreign Affairs;

-     Ministry of Education and Training;

-     Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology;

-     Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

-     Ministry of Health

-     Vietnam National University - Ha Noi

-     Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City

A Vice Minister of Science and Technology is the chair of the Steering Committee.

VinaREN Steering Committee is in charge of guiding policies for establishment, development and promotion of VinaREN. Its permanent office is located at NACESTI.

4.2. Policy and Technical Advisory Board

A Policy and Technical Advisory Board was established by MOST to provide advise and recommendations on sustainable development as well as individual technical issues of VinaREN. This advisory board includes Policy Advisory Board and Technical Advisory Board. Its members are experts on sustainable development policy and technical issues.