Why use GTS?​ - Archive Information

When developing new large-scale systems, particularly distributed systems, it is essential to be able to prototype them on a platform that accurately mimics the real-world. However doing this on live production networks can be extremely risky or give results that are dependant on other users of the network. Therefore researchers need a platform that is dedicated to their project.

The design, engineering, contracting, purchasing, deployment, and operation of a “facilities based” network is an enormous effort.  GTS eliminated almost all of these distractions to the actual research. Indeed, with GTS even a small research program can easily be up and running - performing relevant mission oriented research - almost immediately upon award rather than suffering through months of ramp up time and overhead unrelated to the program’s research objectives. 

​​​GTS Key Benefits

​Cost Effective Ideal Platform for prototyping, before moving to a production environment. Saves time and money as users don't have to build their own test environment.	​	​	Easy-to-use Interface​ Users can build their environment using the easy-to-use drag-and-drop visual editor and they also have the option to define their network using the text-based editor.	​
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Real Infrastructure​ Resources are from real infrastructure distributed across the GÉANT network.	​	​	Security and Privacy​ GTS testbeds are, by design, insulated and isolated from one another. They are designed to be secure. User access to a project is carefully constrained to allow them to view only their project specific details.	​
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Flexible Environment​ Users can build/rebuild their network any number of times within their resource pool.	​	​	​Minimal Overhead Once the project is activated, users self-serve themselves and they are owners of their resources for the duration of their project. Experiments can be up and running in less than 10 minutes from activation.	​
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Choice of Resources​ Wide choice of resources and OS flavours. Bare-Metal Servers (BMS) have dedicated 10g capacity	​	​	​Support Users have access to extensive user guide and self-help tutorials. A support team is available to maintain the operationality of the service and the maintenance of the GÉANT GTS infrastructure.	​