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Summary Report
Data Centre Networks
Industry Engagement Day
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................3
EVENT PURPOSE ................................................................................................................................4
PRESENTATIONS ................................................................................................................................4
PRESENTATION 1: SSC TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW .......................................................................... 4
PRESENTATION 2: INTER-DATA CENTRE NETWORKS TRANSFORMATION OVERVIEW AND KEY QUESTIONS .................... 4
PRESENTATION 3: INTRA-DATA CENTRE NETWORKS TRANSFORMATION OVERVIEW AND KEY QUESTIONS .................... 5
PRESENTATION 4: SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY INFORMATION ASSESSMENT ................................................................ 5
PRESENTATION 5: COLLABORATIVE PROCUREMENT SOLUTIONS APPROACH ............................................................. 5
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ................................................................................................................5
SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRITY ................................................................................................................................ 6
PROCUREMENT.............................................................................................................................................. 6
DATA CENTRE NETWORK REQUIREMENTS .......................................................................................................... 6
ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS (MARCH 24 – APRIL 1, 2014) ....................................................................................... 7
CONCLUSION .....................................................................................................................................7
ANNEX A – AGENDA ...........................................................................................................................8
ANNEX B – INDUSTRY ATTENDEES ......................................................................................................9
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Executive Summary
This report summarizes the proceedings of the SSC Data Centre Networks (DCN) Industry Engagement
Day held on Februrary 24, 2014. It describes the five (5) presentations given by senior government
executives on transformation objectives, high-level requirements, security and procurement. The
agenda is provided in Annex A.
The event was well attended by industry suppliers and public servants. Over fifty (50) vendors were
represented in Gatineau, QC, Toronto, ON and Dartmouth, NS. The list of attendees can be found in
Annex B.
Industry attendees were encouraged to ask questions of the presenters throughout the event. The
questions and answers are summarized in the second to last section of this report.
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Event Purpose
Shared Services Canada (SSC) held an Industry Engagement Day on February 24, 2014, to provide
background, share plans and obtain industry input on the proposed service delivery options and
procurement processes for Data Centre Networks (DCN).
The Data Centre Networks transformation initiative has two (2) work streams. Inter-Data Centre
Networks focuses on high capacity network connectivity between data centres to ensure high availability
of mission-critical applications, as well as support for business continuity. Intra-Data Centre Networks
focuses on the network infrastructure solution within each data centre to ensure long-term viability and
high performance for users.
Presentations
There were five (5) presentations to attendees on the following topics:
1. SSC Transformation Program Overview ;
2. Inter-Data Centre Networks Transformation Overview and Key Questions;
3. Intra-Data Centre Networks Transformation Overview and Key Questions;
4. Supply Chain Security Information Assessment; and
5. Collaborative Procurement Solutions Approach.
The session was moderated by Mr. John Dullaert, Director,Telecommunications Transformation
Program, who provided the opening remarks, objectives of the event, introductions and closing remarks.
The agenda is provided in Annex A.
Presentation 1: SSC Transformation Program Overview
Mr. Peter Littlefield, DG, Data Centre Consolidation Program, presented an overview of the SSC
Transformation Program that covered the following topics:
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


Strategic Vision and Principles;
Transformation Objectives;
Transformation Purpose;
Transformation Timeline and Phased Approach;
Current State of Data Centres and Networks;
Conceptual End State; and
Business and Functional Requirements.
Presentation 2: Inter-Data Centre Networks Transformation Overview and Key Questions
Mr. Michel Fortin, DG, Telecommunication Transformation Program, outlined the DCN initiative and its
two (2) streams: Inter-Data Centre Networks and Intra-Data Centre Networks. The focus of this
presentation was on how the Inter-Data Centre Networks initiative will work to provide high-capacity
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
network connectivity within Canada: first, by providing connectivity between enterprise data centres
within pairs to allow operating in tandem with duplicated / synchronized computing and storage
infrastructure, while providing workload sharing and a highly available environment; and, second, by
providing connectivity between enterprise data centre pairs for backup, disaster recovery and business
continuity.
Mr. Fortin concluded his presentation by posing thirteen (13) operational, technical and procurement
related questions to the vendor audience for feedback via presentation at the one-on-one meetings
slated for March 24th through April 1st, 2014 and/or written response.
Presentation 3: Intra-Data Centre Networks Transformation Overview and Key Questions
The second presentation by Mr. Fortin focused on the critical role of intra-data centre networking
solutions in the evolution of the SSC Data Centre. He presented the high-level requirements, which
included:



Providing a transport service to the data centre;
Providing users with access to on-demand data centre services and resources through a
virtualized network infrastructure; and
Providing a secure technology infrastructure and environment to meet program needs and
increase confidentiality and integrity of information.
Sixteen (16) key technical, operational and procurement related questions were posed to vendors to
elicit their feedback via written response and/or presentation at the upcoming one-on-one meetings.
Presentation 4: Supply Chain Security Information Assessment
This presentation had two (2) sections: Cyber and Supply Chain Threats to the Government of Canada
(GC); and Supply Chain Integrity (SCI). Mr. Brad McInnis, Cyber Security Advisor, described the role and
mandate of Communications Security Establishment (CSE), while Mr. Patrick Mountford, Director, Cyber
Security Strategy, SSC, explained the SCI process in competitive procurement.
Presentation 5: Collaborative Procurement Solutions Approach
Mr. Jason Weatherbie, Director, Transformation Initiatives, Procurement and Vendor Relationships, SSC,
explained the five collaborative procuremnet phases: 1) Industry Day; 2) Invitation to Qualify (ITQ); 3)
Review and Refine Requirements (RRR); 4) Bid Solicitation; and 5) Contract Award.
Questions and Answers
The panelists responded to twelve (12) questions on SCI, procurement and data centre network
requirements related to capacity, locations, storage and distance limitations.
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Supply Chain Integrity
On the subject of SCI and its impact on suppliers, such as cost, establishing SCI levels and qualifications,
panelists recognized the challenges but emphasized the need to work collaboratively with industry in a
balanced business approach. It was also indicated that a collaborative process will be put in place to
find the middle ground for vendors and SSC. In addition, panelists confirmed that the practice of
requiring manufacturers to freeze hardware, software code and firmware levels has not been
established, but that it will be taken into consideration.
Procurement
Procurement discussions focused on confirming decisions on current and future activities. Ongoing
procurement activities could not be discussed by the panel for legal reasons, but future provisioning
considerations were advanced in areas such as, software defined networking (SDN), storage and
compute networking components, and virtual networking.
It was acknowledged that DCN procurement activities will include physical and virtual networking, but
not storage area networking, because it is part of an ongoing procurement vehicle. In addition,
networking security products, virtual firewalls, load balancers and intrusion detection systems were
confirmed to be in scope.
Further, the panel looked to the vendors for advice by proposing that they provide their perspective on
decoupling SDN and hardware requirements as part of the DCN procurement activity.
Data Centre Network Requirements
Clarifications were sought by vendors on distance limitations for mirroring and capacity requirements
between data centres and between pairs of data centres.
Based on scientific information and existing technology, a maximum distance of 100 km for mirroring
Prod 1 and Prod 2 was confirmed. It was added that advancements in this type of technology will be
continually evaluated for future implementations.
Based on estimates of 4000+ servers, the bandwidth capacity between data centres will be in the 100
Gbps range. It is anticipated that bandwidth between data centres will grow exponentially, but that the
savings from maintaining seven (7) versus the current four hundred eighty-five (485) data centres will
provide the financial flexibility to respond.
The locations of the second pair of data centres, Prod 3 and Prod 4, have not been selected. These data
centres will not be located near Prod 1 or Prod 2. The disaster recovery, high availability and missioncritical application goals of two separate production pairs will be re-assessed as the DCN initiative
matures. The DCN end state date is targeted to be March 31st, 2020; this fiscal year (2013-14) being
year one of a seven-year program.
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
One-on-One Sessions (March 24 – April 1, 2014)
It is expected that the one-on-one sessions will be of a conceptual nature for service providers,
particularly discussions on emerging technologies. However, the primary objective of the one-on-one
meetings is for industry to respond to the questions posed at Industry Day which could help SSC develop
the future direction of telecommunications services.
Conclusion
The SSC Data Centre Networks Industry Engagement Day was an opportunity for senior executives to
share with vendors the telecommunications transformation objectives, the high-level technical
requirements and the security and procurement processes that will be employed.
The event was well received by more than fifty (50) vendors that presented many thought-provoking
questions to the panel on subjects such as, supply chain integrity and data centre network requirements
related to capacity, locations, storage and distance limitations.
The vendor and public service turn out, the thought-provoking questions from the vendor community
and the straight-forward, sincere replies from the panelists indicated that the engagement goals of
sharing plans and obtaining industry input was realized.
Shared Services Canada wishes to thank all participants for making this engagement event successful.
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Annex A – Agenda
Data Centre Networks Industry Engagement Day
Outaouais Room, Place du Portage, Phase IV
27 February 2014
From 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
TIME
PRESENTER
John Dullaert
1:3 0 - 1:35 p.m. Director, Telecommunications Transformation
Program, Shared Services Canada (SSC)
Peter Littlefield
1:35 – 2:05 p.m. Director General (DG), Data Centre Consolidation
Program, SSC
2:05 - 2:45 p.m.
Michel Fortin
DG, Telecommunications Transformation Program,
SSC
Break
Michel Fortin
3:00 – 3:45 p.m. DG, Telecommunications Transformation Program,
SSC
Brad McInnis
Cyber Security Advisor, Information Technology
Security Strategic Relationships Office,
3:45 - 4:15 p.m. Communications Security Establishment
DESCRIPTION
Opening Remarks and
Industry Engagement Day Objectives
SSC Transformation Program Overview
Data Centre Networks – Inter-Data Centre
Overview and Key Questions
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Data Centre Networks – Intra-Data Centre
Overview and Key Questions
Supply Chain Integrity Information
Assessment
Patrick Mountford
Director Cyber Security Strategy, SSC
4:15 - 4:30 p.m.
Jason Weatherbie
Director, Transformation Initiatives, Procurement
and Vendor Relationships, SSC
John Dullaert
4:30 – 4:50 p.m. Director, Telecommunications Transformation
Program, SSC
John Dullaert
4:50 – 5:00 p.m. Director, Telecommunications Transformation
Program, SSC
Collaborative Procurement Solutions
Approach
Questions and Answers
Recap / Closing Remarks
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
Annex B – Industry Attendees
* Attendance at Dartmouth or Toronto
Data Centre Networks Industry Day, February 27, 2014, Industry Attendees
1
2020 Solutions In
28
2
Alcatel-Lucent
29
Juniper Networks
Kihew Technologies LP (KTI Data
Center)*
3
Avaya
30
Lockheed Martin Canada
4
Bell Canada*
31
Magor Communications Corp.
5
Bragg Communications Inc. (Eastlink)*
32
MarketWorks Ltd.
6
CA Canada Company
33
Modis Canada Inc
7
34
NetApp Canada Ltd
8
CFN Consultants
CGI Information Systems & Management
Consultants Inc.
35
Northern Micro
9
Ciena Canada, Inc
36
NUTANIX
10
Cisco Systems Canada Ltd
37
OnX Enterprise Solutions Ltd
11
CITPA
38
Oracle Canada
12
Cogeco Data Services Inc*
39
Plan Group Inc.
13
Commscope Inc.
40
PureLogic IT Solutions
14
CompuCom Canada Co.
41
PureSpirit Solutions
15
Computer Room Services Corporation*
42
Riverbed
16
Corsa Technology
43
Rockport Networks
17
DALIAN Enterprises Inc.
44
18
Decisive Technologies Inc.
45
Rogers Communications
RuiRong Science & Technology
Consulting Limited
19
Dell Canada Inc
46
Savoie Consulting and Solutions Inc.
20
F5 Networks
47
Scalar Decisions
21
FONEX data systems
48
Softchoice
22
Fortinet
49
TELUS Communications Company
23
Hewlett-Packard
50
TeraMach Technologies Inc.
24
IBISKA Telecom Inc.
51
The Coates Agency
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Government of Canada
Telecommunications Transformation Program
Data Centre Networks Industry Day Summary Report
Unclassified
Version 1.0
May 30, 2014
25
IBM Canada Ltd
52
Tiree Facility Solutions
26
Integra Networks Corporation
53
TREND MICRO CANADA INC.
27
Itex inc.
54
VCE
55
VMware Inc.
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