Internet2 Portable Access Grid Node
Internet2 mobile Access Grid Node made its debut at the Fall 2000
Internet2 Member Meeting. This page should answer some of your basic
questions about the Access Grid and how to request the Internet2
portable Access Grid loaner equipment for your location or event.
What is the Access Grid?
The Access Grid
uses audio and video technology across high-performance networks
to enable group-to-group interaction. Access Grid nodes are "designed
spaces" where participants go in order to participate in large-scale
distributed meetings, collaborative teamwork sessions, and other
group interactions. The Access Grid consists of large-format multimedia
display, presentation, and interaction software environments; interfaces
to grid middleware; and interfaces to remote visualization environments.
Internet2's Portable Access Grid Node
Unlike the traditional Access Grid configuration where participants
still need to go to one of the "designed spaces" in order
to participate in a remote meeting, the Internet2 mobile Access
Grid node can be brought to, and operated from, your own location.
Portable
Access Grid front view Portable
Access Grid rear view
Overall Dimensions: 27" wide x 37"
tall x 28" deep, Weight: 280 pounds
The Internet2 Access Grid node is housed in a 15u mobile rack unit.
It consists of four standard Intel computers: a control machine,
an audio capture machine, a video capture machine, and a display
computer. In order to both simplify the configuration process and
allow future flexibility in the use of this equipment, all computers
were built to the same specifications.
The control machine runs Windows 98. (This is because the Gentner
echo cancellation control software can only run on Windows 98.)
The display machine runs Windows 2000. Because the Access Grid requires
multiple monitors, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the
multiple monitor support in the Windows 2000 operating system.
The audio and video capture machines run RedHat Linux 6.2. Scripts
and support for RedHat 6.2 can be found on the Access Grid web pages.
The Access Grid application software runs on all machines, except
for the Windows 98 system. The Access Grid software can be found
on the Access Grid web site. Most of this is the traditional MBONE
tools (vic, rat, sdr).
Access Grid Instructions and Documentation
Information on which modules you need for which machines, and other
installation and operational instructions, is available in the Internet2
Access Grid web pages. The Access
Grid Documentation Project also provides a collection of very
helpful write-ups created by members of the Access Grid community,
including hardware
specifications and a series
of tutorials.
What You Need to Have in Order to Run the Internet2 Portable Access
Grid Node
In order to run the portable Access Grid node, you will need to
have the following at your location:
* Category 5, 100 MB FDX, multi-cast enabled Network Connection
* VGA capable projectors or other display equipment (such as a plasma
display)
* Speakers
* A little bit of patience…
If you need technical assistance with the setup or operation of
the Internet2 mobile Access Grid node, contact Bob Riddle at 734-913-4257
or via e-mail <bdr@internet2.edu>.
How to Request the Access Grid
To request the Access Grid, go to the Resource
Request form and submit your request. You can also check our
Equipment Calendar
to see if the Access Grid has already been reserved during the time
you want it. Effective January 1, 2002: Members will be responsible
for equipment shipping charges to and from your location—not
just return shipping, as was our previous policy. You are also responsible
for any damage that may occur to this equipment while it is at your
location.
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