Work Package 1 - Hardware Reference Model
The expected result from this Task is the delivery of a Hardware Reference Model that defines which components should be present in a multi-service gateway and how should they be assembled together. As already mentioned, several criteria will be followed to produce this model: reliability, resilience, low-maintenance costs, manageability, physical footprint, upgradability, etc.
This workpackage relates to the study, definition and refinement of an underlying hardware platform, based on standard, of-the-self, low-cost PC components. It comprises five modules:
Requirements Analysis
The module corresponds to the requirements analysis for the later selection of the hardware components to be used in the platform. The system components will be specified in terms of performance, reliability, functionality, physical dimensions (compatibility with small form factor standards) and support of industry standards (management, interoperability, reliability, energy efficiency).
Test and Evaluation of Hardware Prototypes
After the initial requirements analysis, a number of selected hardware components will be assembled to produce appliance prototypes, for more extensive evaluation tests focusing on performance, reliability, compatibility, ease of use and expandability.
Draft Hardware Reference Model
This draft reference model is a guideline to gateway design, comprising a reference architecture and the final requirements (for each component and for the whole gateway as a set) gradually refined in the previous subtasks.
Hardware Compatibility List
During the project a number of hardware components will be tested to assess their compatibility with the Draft Reference Model. This module corresponds to the execution of those tests and the update of a hardware compatibility list. This is sporadic, ongoing work, since each new hardware component will be tested whenever it becomes available.
Final Hardware Reference Model
This last subtask corresponds to the adjustment of the Hardware Reference Model according to the lessons learned during the project.