A Hierarchical Hadoop Framework to Process Geo-Distributed Big Data

In the past twenty years, we have witnessed an unprecedented production of data worldwide that has generated a growing demand for computing resources and has stimulated the design of computing paradigms and software tools to efficiently and quickly obtain insights on such a Big Data. State-of-the-art parallel computing techniques such as the MapReduce guarantee high performance in scenarios where involved computing nodes are equally sized and clustered via broadband network links, and the data are co-located with the cluster of nodes. Unfortunately, the mentioned techniques have proven ineffective in geographically distributed scenarios, i.e., computing contexts where nodes and data are geographically distributed across multiple distant data centers. In the literature, researchers have proposed variants of the MapReduce paradigm that obtain awareness of the constraints imposed in those scenarios (such as the imbalance of nodes computing power and of interconnecting links) to enforce smart task scheduling strategies. We have designed a hierarchical computing framework in which a context-aware scheduler orchestrates computing tasks that leverage the potential of the vanilla Hadoop framework within each data center taking part in the computation. In this work, after presenting the features of the developed framework, we advocate the opportunity of fragmenting the data in a smart way so that the scheduler produces a fairer distribution of the workload among the computing tasks. To prove the concept, we implemented a software prototype of the framework and ran several experiments on a small-scale testbed. Test results are discussed in the last part of the paper.

High-Speed Connectivity

Since the early 1990s, there has been a lot of enthusiasm for using high-speed connectivity to develop local community links through education, employment possibilities, fostering community events, and enhancing overall sociability within a local region. 5G is the 5th iteration of a broadband network operating on cellular systems. 5G is not only for mobile phones, but it is also the foundation for virtual reality (VR); the internet of things (IoT); and autonomous transport, immersive services, and public infrastructure; and connecting many electronic devices to the internet. In this chapter, first, the authors have discussed the evolution of 1G network to 6G networks by focussing on its potential impact on the quality of life. Further, 5G applications in IoT, autonomous transport, immersive services, and public infrastructure have been discussed. Then the chapter discusses popular advantages, limitations in the current technologies, implementations, and future perspective.

Broadband Futures Forum: The Rise of 5G and the NBN

On 25 May 2021, TelSoc hosted the seventh Broadband Futures Forum, held online, to examine the relationship between 5G and Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN). Two speakers discussed opportunities arising from the 5G core architecture for service creation and delivery via the NBN. Several 5G-related services that could be offered by the NBN to be used by its retail service providers were outlined. Discussion following the speeches included questions about potential service characteristics, possibilities for automation, and deployment scenarios.

The vital connections

In this chapter attention is directed at the communications sector (telecommunications and post). This sector was one of the first to be reformed starting with the creation of the Australian Postal Commission and Telecommunications Commission in 1975. The role of technological change in driving the reform process in the case of telecommunications is examined, along with the role of industrial relations concerns and the commitment of universal service obligations in the case of post. The extent of public ownership in the communications sector is also considered, including the decisions to initial sell off Australia’s telecommunications company, Telstra, and then later to reinvest in the National Broadband Network (NBN), as well as the decision to maintain Australia Post as a government business enterprise.

Broadband Futures Forum: Regional and Rural Broadband Access

On 24 March 2021, TelSoc hosted the sixth Broadband Futures Forum, held online, with a focus on regional and rural broadband access. Mr Gavin Williams from NBN Co, the developer of Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN), spoke about developments in Fixed Wireless and Satellite services and described NBN Co’s commitment to ongoing enhancement of broadband access in regional and rural Australia. A question-and-answer session followed the presentation in which Mr Williams fielded a variety of questions on broadband access and technological developments.

Who Needs a 'Killer App'? Two Perspectives on Content in Residential Broadband Networks

This paper describes the deployment of a residential broadband network by relating two parallel but contrasting stories. Story 1 considers network providers' search for a killer application to drive demand for broadband networks, while Story 2 suggests that consumers have already found a killer application in e-mail and basic connectivity. It appears that residential broadband networks are currently being developed with a Story 1 perspective in mind. Story 2 should be assessed in the context of its historical persistence and significance. The implications for future development of residential broadband networks are considered when both stories are accepted as plausible.

Residential Broadband Networks: Preliminary Findings from a Canadian ‘Information Highway’ Trial

There were many broadband network trials in the mid 1990s, but most of them were proprietary undertakings with research results available only to those corporations who participated in the trials. As such, there has been little public or academic discourse about the outcomes of these trials. With consumer access to broadband networks becoming more widespread however, it is important for industry and consumers to learn from the experiences of previous network deployments. This paper presents research results from a Canadian broadband trial. Three key themes are outlined: i) innovative content was developed for this trial, but there was a tradeoff between continued innovation and the necessary stability for the roll out of content; although innovation did not require huge resources, it was not something corporate consortium members did well; ii) getting content to supplement what was developed in-house was extremely difficult, and users’ needs were not always considered when external content was provided; and iii) the killer application was e-mail and the community-based listserv it enabled. The implications of these themes are discussed briefly and future research directions are outlined.

Who Needs a 'Killer App'? Two Perspectives on Content in Residential Broadband Networks

This paper describes the deployment of a residential broadband network by relating two parallel but contrasting stories. Story 1 considers network providers' search for a killer application to drive demand for broadband networks, while Story 2 suggests that consumers have already found a killer application in e-mail and basic connectivity. It appears that residential broadband networks are currently being developed with a Story 1 perspective in mind. Story 2 should be assessed in the context of its historical persistence and significance. The implications for future development of residential broadband networks are considered when both stories are accepted as plausible.

Delivering Services Over Next Generation Broadband Networks: Exploring Devices, Applications and Networks

Investment in ‘next generation’ (very high speed) broadband infrastructure is expected to enable access to services that will provide citizens with social and economic benefits. Developing services for access using broadband infrastructure an be quite complicated however. This paper explores how services can be delivered over broadband network infrastructure, outlining four broad categories of access devices, three service delivery platforms and two types of networks. Using Australian data, the paper explores user behaviours and expectations around service delivery, illustrating the need for diversity and choice of service offerings. It also notes the importance of mobile services, and takes the case that wireless broadband connectivity should be part of a national broadband infrastructure.