Research on the IPv6 and Sensor Network based ...

2nd International Conference on Information Technology and Electronic Commerce （ICITEC 2014）

Research on the IPv6 and Sensor Network based Terrestrial Ecosystem Flux Research Network Xiaohan Liu, Dujuan Gu, Zhichao Yang, Chao Wu, Baoping Yan

Wenqing Li, Wen Su, Honglin He Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China

Computer Network Information Center Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China

to IPv6 era [6]-[10]. From 2012, we set up IPv4/IPv6 and sensor network based real-time carbon flux observation system in ten field stations, focusing on the scientific data acquisition, data transmission, data storage and sharing in IPv6 environment.

Abstract—For the actual demand for carbon cycle research in China, from 2012 to 2013, we start the research and development on IPv6-based Chinese terrestrial ecosystem flux research network. We set up IPv6 and sensor network based real-time carbon flux observation system in ten field stations. We complete data acquisition, data transmission, data storage and sharing from flux observation tower to field station, then to data center. Researchers develop a series of scientific applications in the research network.

This paper is organized as follows. Section II introduces the IPv6-based carbon flux data acquisition system. Section III introduces the IPv6-based data transmission network platform. Section IV introduces the data management system and scientific applications. In Section V, we focus on the positive outcomes and give some considerations on on-going research.

Keywords—IPv6; Sensor Network; Chinese Terrestrial Ecosystem Flux Research Network (ChinaFLUX); Field Station; Field Science Observation Research

I.

II.

INTRODUCTION

DATA ACQUISITION

In our research, we set up three IPv6-based systems in ten field stations: carbon flux observation system; soil moisture measurement system; image and video observation system.

Field science observation research refers to the field monitoring and indicator measurement for scientific research across different disciplines, such as biology, earth and atmospheric sciences, etc.

A. Carbon FLUX Observation System ChinaFLUX filed stations have types of flux observation system: Open-Path Eddy Covariance System (OPEC), Close-Path Eddy Covariance System (CPEC), 7 Level CO2 Profile Sampling System (CPS7), 6 Level CO2 and H2O Profile Sampling System (CHPS6), etc.

Through long-term observation, we can accumulate valuable raw data for original scientific discovery, new technology development, experiments and demonstrations. Field stations are always far from the city, so it is necessary to build filed science observation research network for data acquisition and transmission. Currently, there are many ecological research networks, such as International Long Term Ecological Research network (ILTER) [1], National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) [2]-[3], Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) [4], etc. The structure is shown in Figure 1.

Data Center Data Management and Scientific Application

Chinese Terrestrial Ecosystem Flux Research Network (ChinaFLUX) [5], established in 2002, is an observation and research network that applies eddy covariance of micrometeorology and chamber as main research methods to provide long term and continuous measurement of the exchanges of carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O) and energy between terrestrial ecosystem and atmosphere across diurnal, daily, seasonal and inter-annual time scales in China based on CERN.

IPv4/IPv6 Internet Data Transmisison

Transmission Network

Data Acquisition

The former ChinaFLUX scientific resources are working in IPv4 environment, with the progress of internet, we will move Wireless Sensor Networks

Video Observation Network

Observation Tower

Fig.1. Field Science Observation Research Network

978-1-4799-5298-4/14/$31.00 ©2014 IEEE

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Dalian, China

Changbaishan, Jilin Xilingol, Inner Mongolia Haibei, Qinghai Yucheng, Shandong Naqu, Tibet Damxung, Tibet Qianyanzhou, Jiangxi Ailaoshan, Yunnan Dinghushan, GuangDong Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

Fig.2. Carbon flux observation systems in ChinaFLUX network

We set up 33 data collectors in eight field stations, as is shown in Figure 2. Data collectors of Changbaishan, Qianyanzhou, Dinghushan, and Xishuangbanna stations are set up on observation towers, data collectors of Yucheng, Xilingol, Haibei, Damxung stations are set up on the ground.

Concentrator Collector

For example, in Yuchen station, we set up two data collectors for carbon flux observation and routine meteorological measurement. Carbon flux data concludes wind velocity of X axis, Y axis, perpendicular directions, CO2 density and H2O density; routine meteorological data concludes temperature, humidity, water vapor pressure, wind speed, barometric pressure, sky shortwave radiation, soil temperature, soil heat flux, soil moisture, precipitation and other weather information.

Soil moisture sensor

Central Point

150m

250m

Fig.3. Soil moisture wireless sensor network system in Yucheng Station

Data collectors of the two systems are connected to field station network through IPv6 serial/Ethernet connectors, and then connected to CSTNET.

Data collectors are connected to field station network through IPv6 serial/Ethernet connectors, and then connected to CSTNET (China Science and Technology Network). B. Soil moisture measurement system In Yucheng station, we set up two soil moisture measuring systems:

C. Video and image observation system We set up IPv6 video cameras in Yucheng, Qianyanzhou, Ailaoshan, Haibei stations, including 1 low illumination IPv6 camera in the forest of Ailaoshan station.

(1) We set up cosmic-ray hydrometeorology system (Hydroinnova CRS 1000/B) for measuring average soil moisture for the soil depth 0-50 cm. The system is set up in the central point of Yucheng experimental plot, and the measuring radius is 70m, as is shown in Figure 3.

We also set up Agricultural Digital Cameras (ADC) in Changbaishan, Dinghushan, Yucheng, and Haibei stations, for capturing visible light wavelengths longer than 520 nm and near-infrared wavelengths up to 920 nm, for recording vegetation canopy reflectance.

(2) We set up a wireless sensor network system to measure absolute soil moisture data in 13 measuring points, for standardizing the cosmic-ray system data, as is shown in Figure 3. We set up 4 soil moisture sensors for 1 data collector at each measuring point, with the depth 2cm, 5cm, 10cm, 20cm to the ground. Two collectors work as concentrators, and Zigbee is used for communication among collectors.

The systems we set up in Yucheng station is shown in Figure 4. III.

DATA TRANSMISSION

Data transmission concludes three aspects: (1) internet access; (2) field station network; (3) data transmission platform.

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Native IPv6 IPv6 Network

v6

WSN concentrator

IPv6 Internet

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v6

v6

Single Translation IPv6 to IPv4

Video Camera

Carbon Flux Sensors

IPv6 Network

v6

IPv4 Internet

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v4G

v4G

Dual Translation IPv4 to IPv6 to IPv4 IPv6 Network

v6

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IPv4 Internet

v6

Visiting Process

Transition Process

L2 bridge

v4G

v4G

Encapsulation IPv4 over IPv6

Cosmic-ray soil moisture measuring system

Carbon Flux data collectors

NAT

IPv6 Network

IPv4 Internet

Tunnel

Fig.4. Observation system in Yucheng station v4G/P

v4G

v6

v6

v4G

v4G

Fig.5. IPv6 Transition Process

A. Internet Access With the progress in the past tens of years, internet is becoming the most important information infrastructure in modern society. However, while the development of the internet is more extensive from the beginning, the increased awareness of shortcomings, like performance, reliability, scalability, security, etc, led to the research on the next generation internet.

Most current Operating Systems (OSes) support IPv6 for years, the internet application requirements are classified to three categories: popular IPv4 Client/Server (C/S), Browser/Server (B/S), and Peer to Peer (P2P) applications; scientific applications solved by IPv4/IPv6 interoperability technology, for example, big data transfer in heterogeneous network; IPv6’s killer applications on security or highly controlled network.

IPv6, developed by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), plays an important role for next generation internet. IETF has defined a number of mechanisms for IPv6 transition. For different visiting scenarios, we should apply different transition technologies [6]-[10]. The transition of IPv4 to IPv6 includes four types: native IPv6, single translation, double translation, and encapsulation. The whole transition process is shown in Figure 5.

In this research, we are aiming to establish IPv6-based data transmission platform, and provides IPv6 internet access to CSTNET for ChinaFLUX network. In the past two years, we first set up an IPv6 experimental environment in Computer Network Information Center (CNIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). Double translation technology (MAP-T [11]) and encapsulation technology (Public4over6 [12]) are applied for scenario (1) experiment, and single translation technology (NAT64/DNS64 [13]-[14]) is applied for scenario (2) experiment. Researchers worked in this environment using different OSes and internet applications for several months [15]-[17].

For new users in IPv6 environment, the application programs are based on IPv4 or IPv6, and the host visits IPv4 Internet or IPv6 Internet from edge network. We conclude three visiting scenarios: (1) IPv6 network to IPv4 Internet using IPv4; This scenario corresponds to the current transition phase, most resources are working in IPv4 environment, and many applications only support IPv4. We could apply encapsulation or dual translation for visiting. Relative transition technologies include DS-Lite, Public4over6, Lightweight4over6 (encapsulation); MAP-T, 464XLAT (dual translation), etc.

We found some OSes cannot work correctly without IPv4, such as Windows XP, Fedora 16. The latest versions of Windows, Mac, Android, Fedora, Ubuntu are recommended for practical deployment. Most applications in scenario (1) work correctly. However, for scenario (2), DNS64 cannot solve IPv4 address literals problem since the addresses are not queried from the DNS; most instant messaging software cannot be used, while xmpp based or html based web instant messaging applications work correctly. The practical deployment requires the support from Internet Content Provider (ICP), for example, the address literal problem could be resolved by Application Layer Gateway (ALG), etc.

(2) IPv6 network to IPv4 Internet using IPv6; This scenario corresponds to the situation when the host only supports IPv6. We could apply single translation for visiting. Relative translation technologies include stateful translation NAT64/DNS64, stateless translation IVI, etc. (3) IPv6 network to IPv6 Internet. This scenario corresponds to the post-transition phase. We suppose the hosts all have IPv6 protocol stack, and visit server in native mode.

Based on the experimental results, we apply dual-stack and encapsulation technology for providing a more stable and

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L2 bridge RS232/Ethernet connector

Internet Service Provider

Data Acquization

CSTNET

Flux sensor

CERN center

Yucheng Station

Soil moisture sensor IPv6

Switching hub

Data Visualization

Data Transmission

Solar panel C

IPv6 video camera L3 switch IPv4/IPv6

Experimental Plot

Office

RBNB server

Field station server

IPv4/IPv6

Web server

Data IPv4/IPv6

L2

C

Internet GPRS GPRS WSN

Flux observation tower

Other field station server

Other flux observation tower Zigbee

Zigbee

User A

GPRS

User B

User C

Fig.7. Stream data transmission WSN system

WSN system

Rsync is 10.6 MBps in IPv6-only environment, while the rate is 8.4 MBps in scenario (1), since the data packet requires encapsulation and decapsulation using Public4over6 tunnel.

Fig.6. Yucheng field station network

reliable environment for flux data transmission and scientific applications.

For scientific research we need to transmit the stream observation data from each field station to the server in CERN center real-time. To meet with the demand of multi-user and real-time, we apply Ring Buffered Network Bus (RBNB) for data transmission. The platform is developed using RBNB and web server, as is shown in Figure 7.

Institutes of CAS are connected to CNIC through CSTNET, and all the institutes have dual-stack access to the internet. Currently, 7 stations’ network are IPv6-supported: Xilingol, Haibei, Ailaoshan, and Xishuangbanna stations are connected to affiliated institutes through private network, Changbaishan, Yucheng, and Qianyanzhou, stations are connected to CNIC through IPv6 tunnels (6to4). Dinghushan, Damxung, and Naqu stations’ network are still under construction.

The IPv6-based real-time data transmission shortens the data acquisition cycle, and overcomes the carbon flux observation problem during non-growing season in the alpine region, and provides an effective way for getting a complete time-series data.

B. Field Station Network Field station network is important for field scientific observation. Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is popular for wireless communication, however, signal attenuation becomes seriously after 2-3 hops. So optical fibers and L2 communication are still our main choices.

IV.

DATA MANAGEMENT AND SCIENTIFIC APPLICATION

We set up IPv6-based data management system in CERN center, for supporting the data storage and processing. System data includes flux observation data, video data, vegetation data, soil data, and atmosphere data. The system provides a general carbon cycle scientific research platform.

Figure 6 shows the network topology of Yucheng station. Optical fiber is used from the station to Internet Service Provider (ISP), and we applied an IPv6 tunnel from the station to CNIC. L2 bridge is set for the communication between the station and the experimental plot, Zigbee and GRPS are used for the WSN system.

We complete three research applications: typical ecosystem carbon source/sinks seasonal variation and mechanism research; Chinese typical regional ecosystem carbon budget distribution pattern research; Chinese terrestrial ecosystem carbon budget distribution pattern research.

Currently, the field station network and sensor systems of Yucheng, Qianyanzhou, Ailaoshan, Changbaishan, Haibei stations all support IPv6.

Figure 8 shows an example of IPv6-based data management platform: left part shows the carbon flux data query; right part shows the volumetric soil water content data of one WSN collector in Yucheng station.

C. Data Transmission Platform For field scientific observation, we need to consider data transmission in heterogeneous network environment.

One the base of the application performances, there are three aspects we need to concern:

In the first-step experiment, we apply File Transmission Protocol (FTP) to transmit bulk scientific video file, and apply Rsync to transmit incremental changes of the video file. We apply Public4over6 tunnel, and the results show that FTP and Rsync work well in scenario (1). However, the transmission rate in IPv4-only or IPv6-only environment is higher than the rate in scenario (1). For example, the transmission rate using

(1) In data acquisition part, all the observation devices are set up in the wild filed, observation data may have transmission delay or interruption problems because of the influences from circumstance and power supply condition. Mixed wireless communication method is required for practical network implementation.

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We would like to thank Gang Qin, Jian Li, Can Chen, from e-science advancing group of CNIC, Jian Jin, Haidong Wang, Peng Chen from CNNIC for the test experiment.

Collector 1 data, January, 2014 80.00

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We also thank professors and researchers from field stations for their kindly support on device installation.

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REFERENCES

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Volumetric soil water content WSN data in Yucheng station

Carbon flux data

Fig.8. IPv6-based data management platform

[2]

(2) Most sensor collectors in our research support IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack protocol. In the past two years, during the collaboration with scientific researchers in many fields, we found that most researchers don’t care about whether they are using IPv4 or IPv6, and they care about the application service experience. IPv6 solves the network addressing problem. However, because of the advantages and drawbacks of each transition technology, network interoperability is difficult in heterogeneous network conditions, as introduced in our experiments in Section III. The practical implementation and application require the collaboration between ISP, Network Equipment Provider (NEP), ICP, terminal equipment, and network applications. V.

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6] [7]

CONCLUSION

This paper introduces the research and implementation on a IPv6 and sensor network based field scientific observation system, from the aspects of data acquisition, data transmission, data management and scientific application.

[8]

We accomplish network interconnection of carbon flux observation devices, and achieve IPv6-based real-time data transmission, storage, processing and sharing service.

[10]

[9]

[11]

This system improves the information infrastructure of CERN, and provides guidelines for the application of next generation internet for field scientific observation research.

[12]

Cloud computing and virtualization improves the development of information technology, more and more scientific data platform are applying cloud as infrastructure. With the transition of IPv6, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) system will apply dual-stack or IPv6-only. How to achieve data transmission from sensor terminals, to field station, then to cloud data center and provide scientific service in heterogeneous environment are the important issues of our future research.

[13]

[14] [15]

[16]

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We would like to thank Professor Xing Li, Professor Yong Cui, Professor Congxiao Bao, Guoliang Han, Yuchi Chen from CERNET, Yuqin Sun, Yuanjie Li from A10 networks, Jishen Ding from H3C, Jiangcheng Li, Yang wu from Cisco, Professor Wei Chen, Xiaoran Hu from CSTNET, for the support for IPv6 environment construction.

[17]

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