= GENI New Experimenter Q & A =
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== What is GENI? ==

The Global Environment for Networking Innovations (GENI) is a virtual laboratory for exploring future internets at scale.  While the GENI infrastructure is rapidly taking shape across the US, it is still a work in progress.

== Do I want to use GENI for my experiment? ==

We hope so.  Take a look at the "Why GENI?" section of the [wiki:UnderstandingGENI Understanding GENI page] to help you decide.

== What resources are available through GENI? ==

GENI resources include a variety of computational and network assets, all programmable by experimenters.  Resources are made available to experimenters by GENI ''aggregates''.  The [wiki:UnderstandingGENI UnderstandingGENI page] has more information in its [wiki:UnderstandingGENI#a2AnExperimentersViewofGENI "An Experimenter's View of GENI"] and [wiki:UnderstandingGENI#a3GENIResources "GENI Aggregates"] sections.

== There's a lot of stuff in GENI.  How do I decide what to use? ==

You're right, there is a lot of stuff available in GENI.  Some aggregates may be familiar if you have experience with other existing testbeds.  For example, many of the current GENI resources are contributed by [http://www.planet-lab.org PlanetLab] and [http://www.protogeni.net ProtoGENI] ([http://www.protogeni.net ProtoGENI] is based on [http://www.emulab.net Emulab]) aggregates.  Other aggregates are more specialized.

The GENI Project Office is happy to help you figure out what resources may be useful in supporting your planned experiments.  Send us mail at:  [mailto:help@geni.net].

== Do I need an account to use GENI resources? ==

Yes.  Access comes in two varieties.  Depending on the resources you will be using, you may use either or both types of access.

1. '''Using GENI credentials'''. GENI provides a common interface that lets you reserve resources from many aggregates using a common set of credentials, and a common API (the Aggregate Manager or AM API).  In addition, GENI experimenter tools may be helpful to you as you use these aggregates. Look [wiki:#HowdoIgetaGENIcredential here] for instructions on how to get a GENI account(credentials). 

2. '''Aggregate-specific accounts". Aggregates that do not accept GENI credentials have their own specific access policies.  Send us mail at [mailto:help@geni.net] for assistance.

== Which resources are available using GENI credentials? ==

Check the aggregate information tables in the "GENI Aggregates" section of the [wiki:ExperimenterPortal Experimenter's Portal] and look for a "Yes" in the "Accepts GENI Credentials" column.  Currently, these are chiefly [http://www.planet-lab.org PlanetLab]-based and [http://www.protogeni.net ProtoGENI]-based aggregates.

== How do I get a GENI credential? ==

Follow the instructions at SignMeUp.

== I have a GENI credential.  Now what? ==

Try setting up a simple experiment.  Check the "Tutorials" section of the [wiki:ExperimenterPortal Experimenter's Portal].

== Where do I go for help? ==

Send mail to the GENI help list: [mailto:help@geni.net].