Tokai Academic Cloud: an experimental intra and inter-institutional cloud infrastructure among national universities in the Tokai Region of Japan

Abstract

This paper describes the current experiences of Tokai Academic Cloud being developed under the collaboration with researchers of information technology centres (ITC) in six national universities located at the Tokai Region in Japan. At first, we describe the background and the vision of Tokai Academic Cloud. Currently, we have been trying to implement various services using open source-based solutions developed by Jasig and Sakai Foundations on top of a single sign on mechanism using Jasig Central Authentication Service (CAS). Secondly, we propose a Shibboleth Authentication Handler in CAS server implementation by letting CAS server act as user’s proxy to address the issue of identity management for inter-institutional consolidation. Thirdly, we present our latest activities on the use of VCL for teaching and learning at Nagoya University. Through these activities, we clarify the cultural aspects on implementing intra and inter-institutional cloud infrastructure based on open source solutions.