Lee Derks

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• Lee Derks
• Sonia Herrera
• Juliet Trujillo

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Overview

• Background/Uses
• Requirements
• Versions
• Software Applications
• Future Research/Development
• Comparisons
• Recommendations
• Questions

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Versions

• There are two versions of the AG
• AG1.x
• Multi-Session Bridge
• QuickBridge
• AG2.x
• Specifically deals with Integrated Bridging

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Software Versions

• The AG model revolves around two pieces of
  software
• vic the video conferencing tool, and
• rat the robust audio tool.
• Other Applications
• Distributed PowerPoint
• a MUD
• the Multicast Beacon
• Virtual Venue
• Virtual Network Computing

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Background

• Access Grid was developed in 1999
• Argonne National Laboratory
• National Center for Supercomputing
• Applications (NCSA)
• Enable group-to-group interaction at a distance

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Uses

• Support group-to-group collaboration
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Remote participation in panel discussions
• Virtual site visit meetings
• Conferences AG Retreat and Super Computing
  Global

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Requirements

• Environment
• Have space for a minimum of 3 people to
  participate
• Software
• Virtual Venues Client Software 1.0 or later/AG
  Toolkit 2.1.2/
• inSORS Grid/VRVS
• Venues Text Chat Client Software TkMOO 0.3.32
• NLANR Multicast Beacon Software
• Video
• Receive, Decode, and Present at least 18 QCIF
  (177x144) and
• 6 CIF (352x288) H.261 Video Streams via RTP
• Capture, Encode, Transmit at least 4 CIF
  (352x288) H.261
• Video Streams via RTP

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Requirements continued

• Audio
• Receive, Decode, Process, Present at least 6 16
  bit 16KHz
• Audio Streams via RTP
• Capture, Process, Encode, Transmit at least 1 16
  bit 16KHz
• Audio Stream via RTP
• Audio should be Hands Free, Echo Cancelled, and
  Full Duplex
• Analog Phone line
• Display
• 3072x768 shared display space
• The design and layout of the seating should
  allow users to sit at
• a distance between 2 and 8 times the screen
  height

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Requirements continued

• Network
• 1.5 Mbps Local Network Connection
• 100Mbps Local Network Connection
• 10Mbps Wide Area Network Connection
• Multicast Capable (MSDP/PIM-SM/MBGP) Network
  Connection

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Future of Access Grid

• Implement the AG into emergency services (Police,
  EMT, Fire)
• Emergency personnel could communicate live with
  dispatchers/advisors/superiors via AG on PDA or
  laptop with wireless-multicast network

• Smart AG room
• All devices connected through wireless network
• Panoramic cameras
• Touch-screen plasma monitors
• Virtual Reality displays

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Comparisons

• Currently, there are 3 ways to connect to the
  Access Grid
• inSORS (commercial)
• VRVS (Java open source)
• AG Toolkit 2/AG 1.x (Python open source)

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inSORS

• inSORS Grid is the only commercial version of the
  AG
• built on AG 1.x technology
• Web interface
• Low-bandwidth solution
• Free telephone support
• Easy to install
• Unable to connect with AG 2.x applications/venues
• 2,500/seat

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VRVS

• VRVS is open-source
• Java based
• Web interface
• Technical support through online support groups
• Not limited to AG venues
• Low-bandwidth solution
• Fairly easy to install
• Unable to connect to AG 2.x applications/venues

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AG Toolkit 2.1.2

• AG Toolkit 2.1.2 is open source
• Python based
• Application interface
• Built upon AG 2.x technology
• Technical support through
• online support groups/MUD
• Complex installation
• Requires gt T1 network to effectively participate
• Unable to participate in VRVS/inSORS venues
• Most popular AG client

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Recommendations

• Classes not offered at a certain university
• Useful for students with minimal resources
• Allows students to conduct extensive research
• Sickness or Pregnancy

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Questions?
www.accessgrid.org
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Joke

• Q What is it called when a blonde blows in
  another blonde's ear?
• A Data transfer.