Design Considerations for Technical Interoperability in EOSC

Relevance

Enhancing interoperability within EOSC is crucial for advancing collaborative research initiatives and promoting innovation in the research landscape. By providing design principles and recommendations, this work empowers stakeholders to navigate complex data and software environments, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of Open Science initiatives.

Scope

This deliverable outlines design principles and suggestions to enhance interoperability within the EOSC data and services framework. It targets software architects, developers, and stakeholders involved in EOSC initiatives, providing guidance for designing and implementing interoperable systems to support collaborative research endeavours.

Main highlights

This document offers essential guidance for enhancing technical interoperability within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). It introduces a comprehensive set of design principles and recommendations, catalogued in Annex A, addressing both architectural and non-architectural considerations. Additionally, suggestions for EOSC services’ interoperability across Open Science, Cloud Computing, and User pillars are provided. The document underscores the pivotal role of standards, presented briefly, with Annex B containing an enumeration of relevant specifications and sources. In conclusion, it emphasises the need for an interoperability strategy at the system design stage. This deliverable is a valuable resource for EOSC stakeholders, enabling seamless integration and collaboration across the research community.

Key recommendations

The document offers several key recommendations to enhance technical interoperability within the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC):

1. Strategic planning: Stakeholders must select an interoperability strategy aligned with the system’s priorities, domain, and resource constraints. This involves reusing software, adhering to standards, and following best practices to ensure long-lasting interoperability.
2. Early consideration: Interoperability should be integrated into the design stage of software systems to avoid complexities later in the lifecycle. This ensures that interoperability is not compromised by fundamental system flows or requires substantial retrofitting.
3. Domain-specific standards: Prioritise domain-specific standards offered by established bodies to meet interoperability requirements. Consider de facto standards based on domain relevance and the presence of overlapping active standards.
4. Regulatory Compliance: Address substantial interoperability challenges arising from regulatory frameworks and service level agreements early in the design phase. This involves making functional, architectural, and technological choices to ensure compliance.
5. Alignment with EOSC’s vision: Ensure interoperability efforts align with EOSC’s primary vision of empowering Open Science and supporting its foundational elements, including e-infrastructures and end-users. Interoperability should serve to enhance data FAIRness, research reproducibility, and support various roles within the EOSC ecosystem, starting with interoperability with EOSC Core services.