The Access Grid

• Human interaction across the grid

• Large displays

• Supports: large-scale distributed meetings, collaborative work sessions,

seminars, lectures, tutorials and training.

• Focuses on group interaction

Components of the Access Grid

• Four machines-Two Windows and Two Linux

• Three Projectors-Large amount of real estate

• Three Cameras-Audience, Presenter & Node Op

• Between 4 and 8 Mics- Depending on set up

How to navigate the Access GridA G V irtua l R o o m L a yo ut

Ja ck F ro s t R o omW in d m e r R o omB ig H o rn R o om

B rid g e po rt R o omF u ll S a il R o om

L u cky La b ra do r R o om

S e cu re R o omS cre e n in g R o om

T e s t R o om

D a n to o in e R o omK a m ar R o omT a lu s R o om

S C G lo ba l L o b by

L o b by

F ro n t P o rch M e a d ow

What is required to run an AG NodeSoftware

• VIC• A video conferencing

tool developed by the Network Research Group at Lawrence Berkeley National Labs and UC Berkeley.

• RAT• Robust Audio Tool• An audio conferencing

tool effective for use in both uni and multicast applications.

What is required to run an AG NodeNetwork and Hardware

• Minimum 100 Mb, fully duplex connection

• Multicast must be ENABLED

• An echo cancellation device- Gentner

• Four machines or one machine?

Single Machine Node

• One Windows machine able to handle multiple steams of video and audio.

• More compact; more portable.

• Still requires some form of echo cancellation.

• Still requires 100 mb fully duplex connection.

Who’s on the Access Grid

• 55 full fledged Access Grid Nodes

• Worldwide AG sites:• Antartica, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,

Croatia, Dubai, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, UK

The Future of the Access Grid

• Faster connections

• More windows

• Higher resolution cameras

• Higher frame rate

• Remote control cameras

• Smaller nodes

• Desktop nodes