Kyushu Giga Pop Project QGPOP
Kyushu University, Assistant professor Kouji Okamura
Saga University, Assistant professor Kenji Watanabe
Kyushu Sangyo University, Assistant professor Toshihiko Shimokawa
Kyushu University, Research Associate Yoshiaki Kasahara
Institute of Systems & Information Technologies, Researcher Hitoshi Morioka
Internet Initiative Japan Inc, Assistant Manager Yoshihiro Kawashima
Root Inc., Mr. Fumitake Inada
Interview Conducted: 2003 June 12th (At Foundation Kyushu System Information Technology Research Laboratory.

(Okamura) The word of 'POP' of QGPOP, POP (Point of Presence) is a frequently used expression instead of access point in the US. Most of the time, access point indicates the same thing offered by ISP, but it implies point of interface more. The characteristic of QGPOP is its architecture, which adopts the connection enables multiple backbone circuit. By utilizing access line for regular Internet, it also allows to utilize ATM's virtual circuit, MPLS, and WDM.

Another characteristic of QGPOP is an independent Autonomous System structure so it allows connecting externally with other research net, commercial net and BGP (Border Gateway Protocol).

We have completed to have daily available network environment due to the popularization of the Internet and at the same time it has became difficult to use the Internet for research and development. For the research and development of the next generation network technology, an environment for researchers to operate freely is indispensable.

With such a perspective, especially, low layer and operable test bed are crucial and QGPOP fulfills requirements for that.

(Kasahara) Mr. Masaki Hirahara (currently a senior researcher of CRL), who tried hard to set up QGPOP used to mention a catchphrase such as 'countryside, which is comfortable place to live'. For example, we utilize online conference routinely, but we also conduct face-to-face meeting. We went through various trial and error processes and now the custom of QGPOP is to hold one on line and off line meeting each month. I think the key of successful management of this community lies in this aspect.

(Watanabe) Including myself, most people involved in QGPOP are those who left Kyushu once and came back here again. I feel that various experience and knowledge acquired in various places producing a rich harvest here.

(Okamura) Another characteristic is congenial atmosphere among persons concerned and there is no distinctive general hierarchy. Since private companies do not invest us, we operate QGPOP a feeling of our own making.

Please tell us the past background activities of QGPOP.

(Watanabe) Professor Hirahara established QGPOP. Around 1989, when WIDE Project was to set up in Kyushu, Professor Araki who was associated with Professor Murai was consulted about this project and Professor Hirahara, who belonged to Professor Araki's laboratory, had opportunity to operate network before. The origin of the QGPOP is in this point. This is not just a service network that offers only simple usage. Our network starts from necessity of a network that allows researchers to implement and operate it as a practical matter.

(Okamura) We started 'Research of regional aggregation connection architecture to ultra-high speed backbone and its usage' as public recruiting business of TAO around May in 2000. And in the November of that year, we established a core and operation of Kyushu University, Institute of Systems and Technologies/Kyusyu (hereinafter 'ISIT'), and NTT Tenjin where the initial main NOC was installed started.

After that a collaborative research with Japan Telecom co. Ltd started. Network topology changes gradually as connection with Kyusyu University and ISIT were altered. Moreover, QGPOP is made up of various organizations such as universities, laboratories; IT related companies, and broadcasting stations. We have carried out online conference, mobile experiment and streaming experiment. Genkai Project was established from the background of QGPOP community and it connects networks between Pusan in Korea and Fukkuoka and Pusan to Kita Kyushu.

Please tell us the roles of all the participants' today.

(Morioka) I belong to ISIT. Professor Araki who represents QGPOP is in ISIT and Professor Hirahara used to be in ISIT before his transfer. I joined in QGPOP halfway and I'm mainly in charge of wireless experiment.

(Kawashima) I participate in QGPOP as IIJ from the beginning and I am in charge of commercial network part.

(Inada) I participate in QGPOP because I come form Professor Araki's laboratory and I was once assigned to Kyushu branch of Root Inc. Currently, I am involved in an experiment project called Fukuoka Mobile Broad Band (hereinafter FMBB) and FMBB conducts a unified experiment utilizing QGPOP network.

(Shimokawa) I chiefly conduct research on contents distribution. I carry on research and development of content load dispersion distribution software utilizing DNS called tenbin, and I have participated in an experiment such as Live Universe and Live Eclipse so far.

(Kasahara) I am in charge of campus-wide network management in Computing and Communications Center, Kyushu University. I have been participating in QGPOP from early stages and I was a leader of mobile IP experiment in the 9th World Championship Swimming that was carried out in Fukuoka in 2001.

(Watanabe) I met Prof. Hirahara as I joined a KARRN (Kyusyu Area Regional Research Network). After that, I transferred to Wakayama University and came back to Saga University in 1999. Saga is in the province so it doesn't have any outstanding industries, but surprisingly it is quite convenient as it takes only 30 minutes to from Hakata. We actually utilize JGN in education with remote tele-lecture linking with Wakayama University, Miyazaki University, and Oita University. Moreover, we will be teaching to Nagasaki University from this year by carrying out tele lectures only. We utilized the lecture system on the basis of DVTS. Function to send an image as blackboard information was added and it has been quite popular, so we use this function invariably. We also conduct a tele-combined lecture with Prof Aihara of Hiroshima University and Prof. Maeda of Hiroshima City University.

By the way, there is an image that Saga is keen about network research.

(Watanabe) After all, we have passion to promote industry with IT. Since there are influential regional companies such as Saga Bank, Saga Newspaper, Saga TV and FM Saga located closely each other they are companies of action.
And we can think of various forms for the usage of mass media network. For example, there must be people who want to see local TV broadcasting throughout Japan. That is the significance of the serving local news on the Internet. Fukuoka Broadcasting Station (FBS), which is a member of QGPOP obtained broadcasting right and delivers not televised games on the Internet forming an alliance with a boxing gym.

(Okamura) Genkai Project was set up for various utilization of the networks connection between Japan and Korea. Some autonomous body administers participated in this project, and a formal activity is being developed. In contrast to this, QGPOP plans to operate actively in an atmosphere of freedom with young network researchers playing a central role for the community.

After the most part of the interview, Korean researchers joined together and the atmosphere changed to international one all of a sudden. It was clear that the spirit of the research community was taken from the dawn of Japan's Internet and it has been increasingly progressing. I would like to extend my gratitude to all people who offered active comments out of their busy schedule.

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