A presentation by Stefan Paetow for Networkshop47.

2. Moonshot – Where we
were and where we are
now
Stefan Paetow – General Moonshot Dogsbody

3. Moonshot – Huh? Wha?
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4. • Jisc’s implementation of the IETF ABFAB standard
• OpenSource
• Completely free! Honest!
• Technology that underpins the Assent service
What is Moonshot?
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5. Assent – Huh? Wha?
5

6. • Implements Moonshot
• ‘eduroam’ for services
or
• ‘UK Federation’ for non-browser access
• Useful for shared resources
• High-performance computing
• Science console access
What is Jisc Assent?
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7. Moonshot – Where we were
Cast your mind back to 2015
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8. • We concluded the Moonshot pilots
• We launched the Assent service
• Platform support:
• Debian, RedHat family, Windows 7
• Lots of pilots
• Notable: STFC (UKRI), Diamond Light Source, CSC
(Finland)
2015
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9. 2015
• Wiki was designed for systems admins, not service
builders (scientists et al)
• No test network
• Biggest barrier to sign-ups
• Required full commitment to live Assent service
• Configuration complex
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Shortcomings

10. Moonshot – Where we are today
Back to the future
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11. • Native support in Debian (bundled with the OS)
• Repositories for:
• Debian, RedHat family, Ubuntu, Alpine & Raspbian (Pi)
• macOS (New!), Windows 7 – 10
• Docker images
• More pilots
2019
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12. 2019
• Working on making Wiki easier
• Test network (Playpen) is open to all
• We’re testing new things on it
• No full commitment needed
• But please, no production services
• Configuration made easier with Docker images provided
• macOS client to cover the biggest science segment
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Improvements since 2015

13. Moonshot – OK, so what?
Who’s using it?
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14. Moonshot piloting
• GÉANT (eduTEAMS service)
• SANREN (South Africa)
• AARNet (Australia – New!)
• AARC Project (EU-funded)
• CALIPSOplus (EU-funded)
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Who’s trying or tried it?
• FRμIT testbed (UK)
• GW4 cluster (UK)
• eMedLab computing (UK)
• IRIS (UKRI infrastructure)

15. Moonshot piloting
Some of the feedback received:
• Lack of features and platform support (GW4)
• Lack of production services (AARC + GÉANT)
• Limited use-case (eMedLab mostly web-based)
• Complexity in deployment (SANREN)
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What hasn’t gone well?

16. Moonshot pilot successes
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FRμIT
• Low-power, low-cost Pi-based computing
• EPSRC-funded project
• Cambridge, Glasgow, Southampton,
Loughborough universities
• Moonshot service implemented in AWS
• 3 of the 4 organisations are on Assent
• Demo today demonstrates connection to live
Glasgow Moonshot IdP and CALIPSOplus
Umbrella ID service

17. Moonshot pilot successes
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CALIPSOplus
• €10 million, 4 year project
• 19 partners, 3 associate partners
• 2 joint research activities (JRA2)
• Synchrotrons, free-electron lasers, neutron
sources clubbing together to make research
easier

18. Moonshot pilot successes
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CALIPSOplus
• JRA2 WP7 contains Moonshot work
• Lead facility: Paul Scherrer Institut, CH
• Connects Umbrella ID service to console access
• Moonshot implemented on biggest ‘beamline’
(40% of all science at PSI)
• Scientist feedback is positive
• Facility intends to implement it across all
systems

19. Moonshot pilot startups
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IRIS UKRI
• £3 million, 4 year grant from BEIS
• Coordinated by STFC and its partner facilities
• Intends to make all access federated by multiple
means
• Moonshot prime candidate for non-web
federated access

20. Moonshot – What does this mean for HE?
Everyone has to play their bit
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21. Moonshot – What does this mean for HE?
• Russell Group uni research income: Ø £147 million p.a.
• Research contribution to UK economy (Russell Group
2015/6 alone): £34.1 billion
• Build an Assent (Moonshot) IdP + register on Assent!
• Treat Assent access like you would Shibboleth +
eduroam services
• Even if it is not used (much) now, it will in the future!
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Support your researchers!

22. Moonshot – What does this mean for HE?
• Jisc is here to help
• Liberate service possibly hosting Assent IdPs
• Reachable by email, Skype Personal, Lync (Skype
Business), phone
• On-site consulting (I’ll sit there with you and build it)
• Docker images and feature support
• Wiki (in progress!)
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Resources

23. Thank you.
email: stefan.paetow@jisc.ac.uk
skype: stefan.paetow.janet
tel: +44 1235 822 125
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