[kictanet] What are the core system and hosting requirements of the Open Data Inititative?

[aki]

While we await the requirements from KICTB as being "Open Data" too ... :-)

This is very basic a translation of what happens at the moment, many will
know this but for those catching up on why having the data locally is too
important in the long term.

*- The OpenData Server is in the US.*

a) When a Kenyan clicks on the maps or visualized data on the site, the *
request* on the internet browser is sent out via the device.

b) The request leaves the Telco or ISP network, lands at the fiber gateway
in Mombasa. It no longer becomes our responsibility to guarantee that the
request will continue on its destination. The request will arrive in e.g.
Fujairah ( Dubai ). From here, it it sent across global communication
highways, across the Atlantic Ocean until it finds the server on another
continent.

c) The server responds back to the request = The request is for a a graphic
display or a map. Here you go! I'm sending the Page and Image that Matches
your request.

d) The *response*  travels all the way back, now it is a much bigger file
than the request. So back onto the Atlantic Ocean, Dubai, Mombasa and
finally in Kenya and onto your internet browser

e) As an end user, the information has been served in a timely manner.
Sometimes there will be errors, keeping in mind that many other users may
also be requesting the same information.

In the communications world, the above data travel is torture and
unacceptable, unless it cannot be avoided in extreme circumstances. With
every click for request for information, the eventual buildup of many
requests and large responses in amounts of data. Within the first 12 months
of the site being in operation, the traffic will keep building up. And each
time the data displays such as graphs grow with various data sets, the more
intensive the whole process. Given the advances in technilogy, not many will
notice what is happening. However, for Mobile and iTab developers, in the
long term this will become critical as the display application will hang up
or show signs of "freezing" until a response is gotten.

So why do we care? I'll just mention the basic communication aspects as an
overview.

If we had the Server Data locally, e.g. I'm sure Telcos like Safaricom would
look at the cost of local traffic versus international traffic as the data
demands grew because the data is graphic intensive and not just small text
files.  Infact, any traffic within Kenyan networks would be treated at
cheaper costs. To put this across to Telcos, a simple hypothetical cost
analysis. Local Networks 10Mbit cost = Ksh 30,000/- while International
Networks 10Mbit = Ksh 400,000/-

It costs the ISPs, Network Operators almost 10 times more to handle
international traffic and these costs are passed onto Kenyans. The other
advantage of keeping traffic local is the real broadband response times that
will drastically improve thus the grahical data which will open with a click
of a button.

I'll ask the Network Operators or specialists to comment on costs or
corrections.

Thank you.
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