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Introduction to Collaboration Technologies

Introduction to Collaboration Technologies. Brian Corrie Collaboration and Visualization Coordinator WestGrid/IRMACS Simon Fraser University. Agenda. Introduction Collaboration technologies AccessGrid. The process. Session being delivered using AccessGrid Distributed, multi-site session

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Introduction to Collaboration Technologies

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  1. Introduction to Collaboration Technologies Brian Corrie Collaboration and Visualization Coordinator WestGrid/IRMACS Simon Fraser University

  2. Agenda • Introduction • Collaboration technologies • AccessGrid WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  3. The process • Session being delivered using AccessGrid • Distributed, multi-site session • Each site has a node operator • Questions • Let the node operator know • Make sure you have a microphone • Identify the site and who you are • “Brian Corrie at SFU” WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  4. What is collaboration? The process of working together to accomplish a task • Synchronous collaboration • Working together at the same time • Distributed collaboration • Working with collaborators at a distance • Primarily focused on IP network based collaboration WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  5. Why collaboration in the computational sciences? “The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers” Richard Hamming • Collaboration environments • Bring the right people together, with the right data, at the right time! • In the computational science context • Big science = distributed science (E.g. high energy physics) • Science is becoming multi-disciplinary • More effective research through… • Communicating with remote colleagues • Creating more effective research groups WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  6. Increasing Presence Levels of collaboration • Teleconferencing • Instant messaging • Video conferencing • Desktop video conferencing • Video conferencing rooms • Application sharing • Integrated collaboration tools Increasing Complexity Use the right tool for the task! WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  7. Social aspectsof collaboration • Goal: to make collaboration effective • WestGrid can help you… • Use the right tools for the job… • Don’t go over the top with technology! • As you start to use the tools… • Learn what works and what doesn’t • Learn what you should and shouldn’t do • Adapt to technology WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  8. Agenda • Introduction • Collaboration technologies • AccessGrid WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  9. Teleconferencing • Phone colleague… and collaborate • Surprisingly effective - Don’t dismiss it! • Multi-point teleconferencing • Easy and it works • Can cost money WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  10. Instant messaging • Instant communication with short text messages • + Rapid exchange of information • + Feeling of presence • + Spontaneous communication • - Extended communications not effective • Free services • MSN, ICQ, AIM… • WestGrid runs a Jabber server • Clients • Wide range of free clients WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  11. Audio/Video IM tools(desktop video conferencing) • Instant messaging with audio (video) • +/- Same as with IM clients • + Allow real time voice/video (extended communication) • - Reliability • - Primarily point-to-point • - Platform specific • Requirements • Webcam, headset/mic • Examples • Skype, iChat, IM Clients… WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  12. Application sharing • Ability to share what you are working on… • Desktop application sharing • Shares entire desktop or specific applications • “Pixel scraping”, requires reasonable bandwidth • IM Tools, Bridgit, VNC, … • Collaborative applications • Designed for collaboration • Shared whiteboards, editors, powerpoint, visualization… WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  13. Video conferencing • Video conferencing rooms • Rooms designed for collaboration • Projectors, microphones, comfortable environment • Typically H323 based technologies • Good quality audio and video codecs • Interoperability (Polycom, Tandberg, …) • Using a room… • Need to make reservations, need to go to the room • May need technical support WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  14. Integrated collaboration tools • Commercial products • IM Tools (iChat, MS Messenger)… • IM, presence, voice, video, documents, apps, … • WebEx, Groove, Bridgit, Polycom Office • Hosted collaboration suites: IM, voice, video, documents • Research efforts • VRVS • Web based, IM, voice, video, app sharing, … • Widely used in some scientific communities • AccessGrid • To be discussed… WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  15. Agenda • Introduction • Collaboration technologies • AccessGrid WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  16. What is AccessGrid (AG)? • Project led by Argonne National Lab • Collaboration tool for scientific research community • www.accessgrid.org • Targeted at group-to-group collaboration • Large scale distributed meetings • Collaborative work sessions • Distributed conferences • Seminars • Tutorials WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  17. AccessGrid Node @ UBC AccessGrid features • High quality full duplex audio • Multiple large format displays • Full sized video of speaker • Simultaneous viewing of all sites • Multiple video cameras • Groups and multiple viewpoints • Collaborative software • Sharing and interacting with data • Use of advanced networking • Multicast, high bandwidth AccessGrid Node @ SFU WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  18. The WestGrid Collaboration Infrastructure • Collaboration rooms at each site • Multi-screen, multi-camera environments • Support a range of technologies • Many shapes and sizes • Support desktop collaboration • WestGrid infrastructure • Venue servers, network bridges • Operational, research, and meeting venues • WestGrid collaboration support • Support people at each institution • WestGrid developed tools • Visualization, application sharing, … WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  19. The WestGridCollaboration Infrastructure • What is it used for? • Research group support • E.g. high-energy physics community • Research dissemination • E.g. “Coast-to-Coast”, lectures, PhD • HPC Training • Intro, Grid, Collab, Vis, MPI, OpenMP, Data, PDEs • Operational support • Site leads, CV group, RAC, Finance WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  20. AccessGrid Status • AccessGrid version 3.1 • Increased feature set, better usability, reliability • Media tools have improved feature set • Version 3.1b1 (June 29, 2007) • Version 3.1b2 (October 9, 2007) • Version 3.1 should be released soon. • WestGrid AccessGrid status • Currently running AccessGrid 3.1b1 on servers • Supports all AG 3.x clients • Moving to AG 3.1 final when released WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  21. The AccessGrid Model • Virtual room (venue) based model • Meeting rooms, research labs • Meeting rooms scope communication tools • VenueServer manages access to venues • VenueClient is the user interface to AG • Communication tools • Audio, video, chat, presentations WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  22. Venue servers • Venue Server manages virtual meeting rooms • Typically at a “virtual organization” level (e.g. WestGrid) • The WestGrid Venue Server (and “The Lobby”) • AG 3.x: https://venueserver.westgrid.ca:8000/Venues/default • Main “hang out” for WestGrid AG people • Other lobbies are accessible from here • Often find video feeds and people here for testing… • Other Venue Servers (Argonne, NCSA, …) WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  23. The AG VenueClient WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  24. Venues • Venues are virtual meeting rooms • Schedule meetings in venues • Venues used for specific purposes • Venue exits • “Doors” to other related venues • Venues provide structure • Navigation • Use doors to move • “My Venues” a list of favorites WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  25. Venues and their attributes • Venue attributes • Participants • The people that areconnected to a venue • Data • Data (documents, images) thatare relevant for the meeting • Services • URLs for information • Application sessions • Shared applications that arebeing used in the meeting WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  26. AG – Networking • Multicast vs Unicast • Multicast: Network infrastructure routes data efficiently • Supported on WestGrid core and CANARIE/ORAN networks • Typically not supported across campus networks • Unicast • Works over almost all networks (NAT/firewalls?) • Not as efficient (traffic may be duplicated) • Multicast-unicast bridging • Bridge sits on the edge of multicast network • Bridges are provided at several locations in Canada • WestGrid users should choose unicast networking WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  27. What is an AG node? • Devices (computers, cameras, displays) that in combination provide AG functionality • Node manager • Manages the computers in a node • Service manager • Manages the services on a computer • Node services • Provide AG services to a node • Often interface with an external device (camera, mic) WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  28. Computer 2 Computer 1 Venue Client Video Service Video Service Video Service Node Manager Service Manager Service Manager Audio Service Video Consumer Service AG Nodes WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  29. PIG AG nodes • Personal Interface to the Grid (PIG) • Single computer, single user AG nodes • You were getting worried weren’t you… • Much simpler than room nodes • Single web cam for video • Headset/microphone for audio • One node manager, one service manager • DEFAULT configuration when installed WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  30. Resources • WestGrid Collaboration Page • www.westgrid.ca/support/collaboration • Using AccessGrid • HowTo documents (build a node, install AG, use AG) • WestGrid AccessGrid facilities • Main AccessGrid pages • www.accessgrid.org • The Video Development Initiative Cookbook • www.videnet.gatech.edu/cookbook.en WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  31. Questions/Demo… WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  32. Node management • Service managers • Need a service manager on each machine • Service managers manage node services • Node services • Add node services to service managers • Node configurations • Store node configurations for specific purposes WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  33. Audio service - RAT • Standard audio service is RAT • Started automatically • Sends/receives audio • Using RAT • Lists connected parties in window • Names are white when sending • Press talk button to transmit audio • “LEDs” indicate audio levels • Use sliders to adjust audio levels • Change device being used for input • Press on arrows beneath “Talk” button WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  34. Video service - VIC • Standard video service • Started automaticallyby video service • Producer asks whichdevice to use • Using VIC • Thumbnail view • Use number keys to change display columns • Click on video thumbnail to display window • Use “s”, “m”, and “l” to change size of window • Autoplace • Tiles windows across screen WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  35. Video service – VIC (continued) • Configuring VIC • Rate control • Frames per second, bandwidth • Transmit toggle • Encoder • CODEC being used (h261) • Quality level of video stream being sent • Video device being used for video capture • Configuring drivers • Depends on platform • Can impact performance (default typically good) • Video config for AG is typically acceptable WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  36. Adding data to a venue • Adding data is simple… • Right click on the Data tab in the Venue • Select the file and say OK… • Venue client will do the “right thing” • Will open the appropriate app if it exists • Note that the application is NOT shared WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  37. Adding a sharedapplication to a venue • Shared applications • Provides a collaboration capability • Specific to the venue • Shared powerpoint, shared desktop, shared visualization, etc. • Adding a shared application • Shared apps are registered with Venue Client • Right click “Application Sessions” • Lists shared apps that are available • Select the shared app desired… WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  38. Starting a shared app • Starting… • Select a shared app that is “registered” • Right click the shared app and choose “Open” • Using… • Depends on the shared application WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  39. Shared presentations • Presenter adds presentation shared app • Presentation resides in Data section • Presenter maps shared app to presentation • Observers simply open the shared app • Presentation starts automatically • Presentation goes to the correct slide • Slide changes are automatically propagated WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

  40. Shared desktop • Provides a easy to use desktop sharing capability • Start the shared application • Presented with a list of usersthat are sharing their desktop • Can provide your desktopto other users • Can view other usersdesktop WestGrid Collaboration HowToNovember 21st, 2007

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