National Computational Science

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Access Grid Conference FacilityAt Boston University

Jennifer Teig von HoffmanBoston University

jtvh@bu.edu

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Introduction to the Access Grid

• A suite of hardware, software, and tools to facilitate group-to-group collaboration over the Internet.

• A project led by Argonne National Laboratory Futures Group, with strong participation from National Computational Science Alliance and others– Boston University is an Alliance member– Boston University is one of many organizations

actively involved in packaging and documentation of Access Grid, as well as an active user

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Introduction to the Access Grid (2)

• Group-to-Group Collaboration at a Distance

• Provide a Sense of Presence• Enable Complex Multi-site Visual and

Collaborative Experiences• Use Quality but Affordable Digital IP-

Based Audio/Video

Source: Adapted from Rick Stevens,Chautauqua 1999 Presentation

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Virtual Venues: The Metaphor

Access Grid Lobby

Jack Frost Room Windmer Room

Big Horn Room Bridgeport Room

Full Sail Room Lucky Labrador Room

Secure Room Screening Room

Test Room

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AGCF Current Installation

• Four commodity PCs– Two running Windows– Two running Red Hat linux

• Three projectors, custom built rear-projection screen

• Audio mixers and echo-cancellation devices• Speakers, cameras, microphones• Connection to Abilene network• Cost: About $60,000, including upgrades

since summer 1999– hardware/software/equipment only – network not

included

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Networking Requirements

• Multicast-enabled100bT connection tothe AG node

• 100 Mbit/sec pathto the Internetfrom the node

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AG-Based Events at BU

• Five Alliance Chautauquas – A conference by and for computational scientists– 1999: University of New Mexico; University of

Kentucky; Boston University– 2000: OSC; University of Kansas

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AG-Based Events at BU (2)

• Workshops and Seminars on computational science– Asynchronous MPI course focus group– PETSc workshop– MPI workshop– Globus workshop by Argonne National

Laboratory– Lecture series by ACCESS-DC– Lecture series by University of Kentucky– Paradyn/Condor Days from University of

Wisconsin

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AG-Based Events at BU (3)

• Remote collaboration by organizations within and outside of the Alliance (partial listing)– Alliance Chemical Engineering Team– Alliance Czars– Boston University Teaching and Learning Technology

Roundtable– Distributed Rap Sessions, sponsored by Coalition to

Diversify Computing– EOT NSF site review– Institute for African-American E-Culture– PACS– SC Global planning group

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AG-Based Events at BU (4)

• Boston Cyberarts Festival– “Soft, Fluffy, and Virtual,” in collaboration with

Cindy Ludlam– “Tracer,” in collaboration with Deborah and

Richard Cornell

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Successes

• 400+ local participants; 900+ remote

• Enabled many interactions which would not have been likely (or possible) without remote collaboration technology– Boston University Teaching and Learning

Technology Roundtable benefited from OSC and ANL presentations

– Distributed Rap Sessions– Alliance PACS Training workshops

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Successes (2)

• Good feedback and evaluations from event participants– BU Participation in Chautauqua 2000 at KU

– 85% of respondents said they would participate from an AG site again; the remainder said they “probably” would

– Alliance PACS Training PETSC workshop– “The AG was almost like being there.”

– Alliance PACS Training MPI workshop– Workshop: 4.64 out of 5; technology: 4.65 out of 5– Evaluation summary:

http://alliance.osc.edu/mpi/report.pdf

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Some Research Directions

• Improved frame rate on video streams (possibly motion jpeg)

• Continuing to address the question of H.323 bridge

• Improvements for Distributed PowerPoint (or replace dppt with rppt, from University of Kansas)

• Creation of additional desktop sharing and scientific visualization tools

• Human Factors studies• Distributed venues servers

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

AG Toolkit 1.0

• Released September 2001

• Available by internet download– http://www.accessgrid.org/

• Toolkit includes:– Windows installation program– Linux installation program (including OS)– Guides and How-To documents for new users

• BU is an active participant in the creation and support of the Toolkit

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Coming Soon: SC Global

• The first truly global technical conference on the grid

• Will use AG technology tolink core Supercomputingconference in Denver withdozens of constellation sitesboth across the US andworldwide

• 34 participating sites in 10 countries

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

SC Global Challenges

• At least four concurrent tracks of content– Technical support– Program/content support

• Extensive use of Voyager, a multimedia server for recording AG sessions

• Time zones

• Crossing language and culture boundaries

Boston University National Computational Science Alliance

Getting Started

• Access Grid Home Pagehttp://www.accessgrid.org/

• Access Grid Documentation Projecthttp://www.accessgrid.org/agdp/