I'm really excited to see NiFi come to the incubator; it'd be a great addition to the ASF.
A few points in the proposal: > >== Initial Goals == One of these should be to grow the community outside of the current niche, IMHO. More on this below under "orphaned projects" > > * Determine and establish a mechanism, possibly including a > >sub-project construct, that allows for extensions to the core > >application to occur at a pace that differs from the core application > >itself. I don't think the proposal needs to include the "e.g. with sub-projects" part. Just noting that your goals in the incubator are to address the need to have different release cycles for core and extensions is sufficient. > >=== Community === > >Over the past several years, NiFi has developed a strong community of > >both developers and operators within the U.S. government. We look > >forward to helping grow this to a broader base of industries. > > How much, if any, of this community do you expect to engage via the customary project lists once NiFi is established within the ASF? Will the project be able to leverage this established group? > >=== Orphaned Products === > >Risk of orphaning is minimal. The project user and developer base is > >substantial, growing, and there is already extensive operational use > >of NiFi. Given that the established base is internal to the U.S. government, I'd encourage the podling to consider the risk of a bifurcated project should a substantial outside community fail to emerge or if those internal users should fail to engage with the outside community. You cover a related issue in your "Homogenous Developers" section. But I think building on the "Community" section of the current state to call this out as an independent issue is worthwhile. > >possible. This environment includes widely accessible source code > >repositories, published artifacts, ticket tracking, and extensive > >documentation. We also encourage contributions and frequent debate and > >hold regular, collaborative discussions through e-mail, chat rooms, > >and in-person meet-ups. Do you anticipate any difficulties moving these established communication mechanisms to ASF public lists? > >=== Documentation === > >At this time there is no NiFi documentation on the web. However, we > >have extensive documentation included within the application that > >details usage of the many functions. We will be rapidly expanding the > >available documentation to cover things like installation, developer > >guide, frequently asked questions, best practices, and more. This > >documentation will be posted to the NiFi wiki at apache.org. I love projects that start with documentation. :) I don't think the proposal needs to include that the documentation will be posted to the NiFi wiki, since that's an implementation detail. Just say "this documentation will be made available via the NiFi project's use of incubator infra." (I'll save detail for the eventual dev@ list, but you should strongly consider not using the wiki to host this documentation.) -Sean On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 11:27 PM, Brock Noland <br...@cloudera.com> wrote: > Hi Joe, > > I know you've done a tremendous amount of work to make this happen so I am > extremely happy this is *finally* making it's way to the incubator! > > I look forward to helping in anyway I can. > > Cheers! > Brock > > On Wed, Nov 19, 2014 at 8:11 PM, Mattmann, Chris A (3980) < > chris.a.mattm...@jpl.nasa.gov> wrote: > > > This is *fan freakin¹ tastic* Sounds like an awesome project and > > glad to hear a relationship to Tika! Awesome to see more government > > projects coming into the ASF! > > > > you already have a great set of mentors and I don¹t really have more > > time on my plate, but really happy and will try and monitor and help > > on the lists. > > > > Cheers! > > > > Chris > > > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > Chris Mattmann, Ph.D. > > Chief Architect > > Instrument Software and Science Data Systems Section (398) > > NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena, CA 91109 USA > > Office: 168-519, Mailstop: 168-527 > > Email: chris.a.mattm...@nasa.gov > > WWW: http://sunset.usc.edu/~mattmann/ > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > Adjunct Associate Professor, Computer Science Department > > University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089 USA > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Joe Witt <joe.w...@gmail.com> > > Reply-To: "general@incubator.apache.org" <general@incubator.apache.org> > > Date: Thursday, November 20, 2014 at 3:02 AM > > To: "general@incubator.apache.org" <general@incubator.apache.org> > > Subject: [PROPOSAL] NiFi for Incubation > > > > >Hello, > > > > > > > > >I would like to propose NiFi as an Apache Incubator Project. > > > > > >In addition to the copy provided below the Wiki version of the > > >proposal can be found here: > > >http://wiki.apache.org/incubator/NiFiProposal > > > > > >Thanks > > > > > >Joe > > > > > > > > >= NiFi Proposal = > > > > > >== Abstract == > > >NiFi is a dataflow system based on the concepts of flow-based > programming. > > > > > >== Proposal == > > >NiFi supports powerful and scalable directed graphs of data routing, > > >transformation, and system mediation logic. Some of the high-level > > >capabilities and objectives of NiFi include: > > > * Web-based user interface for seamless experience between design, > > >control, feedback, and monitoring of data flows > > > * Highly configurable along several dimensions of quality of service > > >such as loss tolerant versus guaranteed delivery, low latency versus > > >high throughput, and priority based queuing > > > * Fine-grained data provenance for all data received, forked, > > >joined, cloned, modified, sent, and ultimately dropped as data reaches > > >its configured end-state > > > * Component-based extension model along well defined interfaces > > >enabling rapid development and effective testing > > > > > >== Background == > > >Reliable and effective dataflow between systems can be difficult > > >whether you're running scripts on a laptop or have a massive > > >distributed computing system operated by numerous teams and > > >organizations. As the volume and rate of data grows and as the number > > >of systems, protocols, and formats increase and evolve so too does the > > >complexity and need for greater insight and agility. These are the > > >dataflow challenges that NiFi was built to tackle. > > > > > >NiFi is designed in a manner consistent with the core concepts > > >described in flow-based programming as originally documented by J. > > >Paul Morrison in the 1970s. This model lends itself well to visual > > >diagramming, concurrency, componentization, testing, and reuse. In > > >addition to staying close to the fundamentals of flow-based > > >programming, NiFi provides integration system specific features such > > >as: guaranteed delivery; back pressure; ability to gracefully handle > > >backlogs and data surges; and an operator interface that enables > > >on-the-fly data flow generation, modification, and observation. > > > > > >== Rationale == > > >NiFi provides a reliable, scalable, manageable and accountable > > >platform for developers and technical staff to create and evolve > > >powerful data flows. Such a system is useful in many contexts > > >including large-scale enterprise integration, interaction with cloud > > >services and frameworks, business to business, intra-departmental, and > > >inter-departmental flows. NiFi fits well within the Apache Software > > >Foundation (ASF) family as it depends on numerous ASF projects and > > >integrates with several others. We also anticipate developing > > >extensions for several other ASF projects such as Cassandra, Kafka, > > >and Storm in the near future. > > > > > >== Initial Goals == > > > * Ensure all dependencies are compliant with Apache License version > > >2.0 and all that all code and documentation artifacts have the correct > > >Apache licensing markings and notice. > > > * Establish a formal release process and schedule, allowing for > > >dependable release cycles in a manner consistent with the Apache > > >development process. > > > * Determine and establish a mechanism, possibly including a > > >sub-project construct, that allows for extensions to the core > > >application to occur at a pace that differs from the core application > > >itself. > > > > > >== Current Status == > > >=== Meritocracy === > > >An integration platform is only as good as its ability to integrate > > >systems in a reliable, timely, and repeatable manner. The same can be > > >said of its ability to attract talent and a variety of perspectives as > > >integration systems by their nature are always evolving. We will > > >actively seek help and encourage promotion of influence in the project > > >through meritocracy. > > > > > >=== Community === > > >Over the past several years, NiFi has developed a strong community of > > >both developers and operators within the U.S. government. We look > > >forward to helping grow this to a broader base of industries. > > > > > >=== Core Developers === > > >The initial core developers are employed by the National Security > > >Agency and defense contractors. We will work to grow the community > > >among a more diverse set of developers and industries. > > > > > >=== Alignment === > > >From its inception, NiFi was developed with an open source philosophy > > >in mind and with the hopes of eventually being truly open sourced. > > >The Apache way is consistent with the approach we have taken to date. > > >The ASF clearly provides a mature and effective environment for > > >successful development as is evident across the spectrum of well-known > > >projects. Further, NiFi depends on numerous ASF libraries and > > >projects including; ActiveMQ, Ant, Commons, Lucene, Hadoop, > > >HttpClient, Jakarta and Maven. We also anticipate extensions and > > >dependencies with several more ASF projects, including Accumulo, Avro, > > >Casandra, HBase, JClouds, Storm, Kafka, Thrift, Tika, and others. > > >This existing alignment with Apache and the desired community makes > > >the Apache Incubator a good fit for NiFi. > > > > > >== Known Risks == > > >=== Orphaned Products === > > >Risk of orphaning is minimal. The project user and developer base is > > >substantial, growing, and there is already extensive operational use > > >of NiFi. > > > > > >=== Inexperience with Open Source === > > >The initial committers to NiFi have limited experience with true open > > >source software development. However, despite the project origins > > >being from closed source development we have modelled our behavior and > > >community development on The Apache Way to the greatest extent > > >possible. This environment includes widely accessible source code > > >repositories, published artifacts, ticket tracking, and extensive > > >documentation. We also encourage contributions and frequent debate and > > >hold regular, collaborative discussions through e-mail, chat rooms, > > >and in-person meet-ups. We are committed to the ideals of open source > > >software and will eagerly seek out mentors and sponsors who can help > > >us quickly come up to speed. > > > > > >=== Homogenous Developers === > > >The initial committers of NiFi come from a limited set of entities > > >though we are committed to recruiting and developing additional > > >committers from a broad spectrum of industries and backgrounds. > > > > > >=== Reliance on Salaried Developers === > > >We expect NiFi development to continue on salaried time and through > > >volunteer time. The initial committers are paid by their employers to > > >contribute to this project. We are committed to developing and > > >recruiting participation from developers both salaried and > > >non-salaried. > > > > > >=== Relationship with other Apache Projects === > > >As described in the alignment section, NiFi is already heavily > > >dependent on other ASF projects and we anticipate further dependence > > >and integration with new and emerging projects in the Apache family. > > > > > >=== An Excessive Fascination with the Apache Brand === > > >We respect the laudable Apache brand and that is certainly a factor in > > >the decision to propose NiFi for the Apache Incubator. We intend to > > >provide a great deal of energy and capability to the ASF through this > > >project. We will be sensitive to and respectful of any overuse of the > > >Apache brand and ensure our focus remains on how we benefit the Apache > > >community. > > > > > >=== Documentation === > > >At this time there is no NiFi documentation on the web. However, we > > >have extensive documentation included within the application that > > >details usage of the many functions. We will be rapidly expanding the > > >available documentation to cover things like installation, developer > > >guide, frequently asked questions, best practices, and more. This > > >documentation will be posted to the NiFi wiki at apache.org. > > > > > >== Initial Source == > > >NiFi has been in active development since late 2006 with contributions > > >from dozens of developers and feedback from hundreds of users and > > >developers. The core codebase is written in Java and includes > > >detailed Javadocs and feature documentation. > > > > > >== Source and Intellectual Property Submission == > > >Previously referred to as Niagarafiles, the NiFi code and > > >documentation materials will be submitted by the National Security > > >Agency. NiFi has been developed by a mix of government employees and > > >private companies under government contract. Material developed by > > >the government employees is in the public domain and no U.S. copyright > > >exists in works of the federal government. For the contractor > > >developed material in the initial submission, the U.S. Government has > > >sufficient authority to open source per DFARS 252.227-7014. NSA has > > >submitted the Software Grant Agreement and Corporate Contributor > > >License Agreement to the Apache Software Foundation. > > > > > >== External Dependencies == > > >We have at least one dependency on an LGPL library which we will > > >promptly address. Otherwise, we believe all current dependencies are > > >compatible with the ASF guidelines. Our dependency licenses come from > > >the following license styles: Apache v 2.0, BSD, Public Domain, > > >Eclipse Public v1, MIT, CDDL v1. > > > > > >== Cryptography == > > >Consistent with http://www.apache.org/licenses/exports/ we believe > > >NiFi is classified as ECCN 5D002. NiFi doesn't implement any > > >cryptographic algorithms but is designed to use algorithms provided by > > >Oracle Java Cryptographic Extensions, BouncyCastle, and JCraft, Inc. > > >These cryptographic algorithm providers are used to support SSL, > > >SSH/SFTP, and the encryption and decryption of sensitive properties. > > >In the event that it becomes necessary we will engage with appropriate > > >Apache members to ensure we file any necessary paperwork or clarified > > >any cryptographic export license concerns. > > > > > >== Required Resources == > > >=== Mailing Lists === > > > * u...@nifi.incubator.apache.org > > > * d...@nifi.incubator.apache.org > > > * priv...@nifi.incubator.apache.org > > > * comm...@nifi.incubator.apache.org > > > > > >=== Source Control === > > >NiFi requests use of Git for source control > > >(git://git.apache.org/nifi.git). We request a writeable Git repo for > > >NiFi with mirroring to be setup to Github through INFRA. We request > > >sponsor Benson Margulies (bimargulies) to assist with creating the > > >INFRA ticket for this. > > > > > >=== Issue Tracking === > > >JIRA NiFi (NIFI) > > > > > >=== Initial Committers === > > > * Brandon Devries <brandon.devries at gmail dot com> > > > * Matt Gilman <matt.c.gilman at gmail dot com> > > > * Tony Kurc <trkurc at gmail dot com> > > > * Mark Payne <markap14 at hotmail dot com> > > > * Adam Taft <adam at adamtaft dot com> > > > * Joseph Witt <joewitt at gmail dot com> > > > > > >=== Affiliations === > > > * Brandon Devries (Requitest, Inc.) > > > * Matt Gilman (Raytheon) > > > * Tony Kurc (National Security Agency) > > > * Mark Payne (Sotera Defense Solutions, Inc.) > > > * Adam Taft (Requitest, Inc.) > > > * Joseph Witt (National Security Agency) > > > > > >== Sponsors == > > >=== Champion === > > > * Benson Margulies (Basis Technology) <bimargulies at apache dot org> > > > > > >=== Nominated Mentors === > > > * Drew Farris (Booz Allen Hamilton) <drew at apache dot org> > > > * Brock Noland (Cloudera) <brock at apache dot org> > > > * Billie Rinaldi (Hortonworks) <billie at apache dot org> > > > > > >=== Sponsoring Entity === > > >We request the Apache Incubator to sponsor this project. > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > > To unsubscribe, e-mail: general-unsubscr...@incubator.apache.org > > For additional commands, e-mail: general-h...@incubator.apache.org > > > > > -- Sean
