THE NONGOMA LIVING LAB LLiSA 3 rd annual conference Bethel Mutanga University of Zululand
THE NONGOMA LIVING LAB
LLiSA 3rd annual conference
Bethel Mutanga
University of Zululand
PRESENTATION OUTLINE Motivation / introduction The GUISET project The Nongoma LL Stakeholders Progress What’s next Challenges Sustainability
MOTIVATION The Dept of Computer Science at the University of
Zululand (UZ) proposed GUISET (Adigun et al, 2006) Grid Based Utility Infrastructure for SMME enabling
Technologies GUISET is a Grid based utility infrastructure mainly
for SMMEs in Nongoma. GUISET enables applications to be deployed as
published services offered to subscribers Subscribers do not have to own the services they use No network infrastructure is in place to test GUISET
idea We proposed a living lab to support this and other
initiatives The Nongoma Living backbone Lab will be supported
by a Wireless Mesh Network
THE GUISET PROJECT An architectural vision of low-cost technology
and software service provision based on utility computing paradigm;
Variable pricing of services rather than fixed Culture-adaptive (collaborative business
model, and resource pooling for sharing) Integrates local communities into vibrant
Mobile Business value network Leverages 1)access to market info, 2)new
business opportunities, 3) customer reachability etc
The GUISET idea changed to a cloud-based infrastructure at a later stage
WAP application .NET Application Applet J2EE Client
Enabling Information Bus for Dynamic Service selection
Low Level Resources
Knowledge resources
Services
SME ENABLERS
UTILITY BROKER
RESOURCE REPOSITORY
ResponseRequest with QOS
Multi-modal Interfaces
Middleware Layer
Grid Infrastructure Layer
THE GUISET PROJECT
NONGOMA LIVING LAB The Nongoma district is one of the largest in the KwaZulu
Natal province The LL will be supported by a Wireless Mesh Backbone The lab is brought to the people by allowing anytime-
anywhere access Mesh routers will be strategically deployed to provide
maximum coverage within the area. Internet gateways, printers etc will be installed at schools
and other public institutions Mlokotwa High School Bhekuzulu High School Nzobo High School Chief Zulu primary school
NONGOMA LIVING LAB
NONGOMA COMMUNITY
Arial view of Nongoma Community. Insert: A Nongoma woman with her arts and crafts products
STAKEHOLDERS Meraka Institute
Wireless Africa Group Living Labs in Southern Africa (LiSSA). Industry partners
TelkomDynatechHuawei
The Nongoma community KZN government
OBJECTIVES OF THE LL Educational
computer literacy and technical training to both community and local schools.
Development of new technology solutions through research
Community DevelopmentTo generate, distribute and apply ICT skills
for use by SMMEsTo enhance the use of ICT on community
entrepreneurship.Enhancing existing business processes
PROGRESS ... Conducting training
Matric graduates were trained in ICT skills Network planning and deployment
Identify sites to install the mesh network infrastructure and construct computers centres
Optimization of network performance Using of solar technology Automatic configuration, security etc QoS issues, Mobility support etc
Conducting research on user needs, perceptions, level of computer skills and other social factors.
Development of applications to cater for the identified needs E-commerce on demand platform Accounting and billing Use of mobile devices / cellphones
WHAT’S NEXT ... Network deployment
Target date: Jan 2012 User training – phase II
To start : August 2011Network administration – Feb - 2012
Software developmentCurrently going on....Expected date of completion : April 2012
CHALLENGES Human resources Development of sustainable
management mechanisms for the Living LabSupporting non-profit making entities like
education Funding
SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES Publish subscriber concept will be
employed Members have to be equipped with
business and technical skills Must be run as a business enterprise Training programs offered by the
UniversityCISCO and Wireless Mesh Networks
program Partially funded by Meraka institute
Business skills program for small tradersBusiness English Program
Thank You