Networking Issues for WED, WestGrid, and Heritage Projects Dr. Pierre Boulanger Advanced Man-Machine Interface Laboratory University of Alberta Dr. Pierre Boulanger Advanced Man-Machine Interface Laboratory University of Alberta Department of Computing Science University of Alberta Department of Computing Science University of Alberta

Western Canada Grid SFU UBC/Triumf/NEWMIC UofA UofC UofL Banff Center Computational Resources Computational Resources Grid Storage Grid Storage Advanced Collaborative Environment Advanced Collaborative Environment Immersive Visualization Research Centre Immersive Visualization Research Centre Graphics Workstation Graphics Workstation

Network issues with Immersive Collaborative Environments Timing is essential in the operation of distributed virtual environment applications, since the perception of changes in the virtual environment is based on the timely delivery of messages, informing all the participants of the changes made by a user. Any action issued by any participant must reach the other participants within 200 ms. This task, challenging as it is, becomes even more challenging, when dealing with virtual environments with a large number of participants. Timing is essential in the operation of distributed virtual environment applications, since the perception of changes in the virtual environment is based on the timely delivery of messages, informing all the participants of the changes made by a user. Any action issued by any participant must reach the other participants within 200 ms. This task, challenging as it is, becomes even more challenging, when dealing with virtual environments with a large number of participants.

Network issues with Immersive Collaborative Environments The high level of dynamicity in group structure and topology increases the complexity of the problem. Participants might join and leave the session dynamically. The requirement that the developed DVE applications will be supporting collaborative functions, makes timing even more important. The high level of dynamicity in group structure and topology increases the complexity of the problem. Participants might join and leave the session dynamically. The requirement that the developed DVE applications will be supporting collaborative functions, makes timing even more important.

Network issues with Immersive Collaborative Environments In this project, will attempt to: Identify and quantify the end-system and network parameters that are crucial to the operation of the virtual reality application; Develop technology to support the strict requirements of these applications; Use and improve CAVERNsoft*G2, a C++ toolkit for building collaborative networked applications. In this project, will attempt to: Identify and quantify the end-system and network parameters that are crucial to the operation of the virtual reality application; Develop technology to support the strict requirements of these applications; Use and improve CAVERNsoft*G2, a C++ toolkit for building collaborative networked applications.

UofA WestGrid Local Network Configuration SGI ONYX2 3 Graphic Pipes 6 CPUs Vis-server V3.0 BigBangWidth Switch AMMI Lab Access Grid AMMI Lab Virtualized Reality Servers BigBangWidth Switch UofA Computer Networking Services Access Grid New WestGrid Super-Computer BigBangWidth Switch 1Gb/s 100Mb/s 1Gb/s 100Mb/s CanNet*4 Gigapop 10Gb/s Netera Dedicated ( Using One of the Lambda) Optical Line To Calgary NewMic/SFU Vancouver Netera/UofC Calgary UofL Lethbridge Banff Center Banff

WED Virtualized Reality Server Configuration I (Video Avatar) PC Server For Camera Bank 1 PC Server For Camera Bank 2 PC Server For Camera Bank 3 PC Server For Camera Bank 4 Display Client #1 BBW Switch BBW Switch Display Client #2

WED Virtualized Reality Server Configuration II (Virtual Guards) Tour PC Server For Camera Bank 2 PC Server For Camera Bank 1 PC Server For Camera Bank 3 PC Server For Camera Bank 4 BBW Switch BBW Switch Display Client #1 Display Client #2

Heritage Visual Area Networking SGI ONYX2 3 Graphic Pipes 6 CPUs Vis-Server V3.0 BigBangWidth Switch BigBangWidth Switch 1Gb/s CanNet*4 Gigapop Netera Dedicated (Using One Lambda) Optical Line To Calgary U of C/ Netera BBW Switch U of T BBW Switch SFU BBW Switch UofA Computing Science UofA Computer Networking Services Vis Client Vis Client Vis Client

High-bandwidth connectivity The University of Alberta is proposing to work with industrial partner, BigBangwidth, to experiment and test advanced network connectivity solutions within the WestGrid network. The purpose of the project is to provide researchers, high-bandwidth access to the WestGrid network to enable effective grid computing applications, especially visualization This project is part of a 2M$ WED grant that will be hopefully funded at the beginning of next year. The University of Alberta is proposing to work with industrial partner, BigBangwidth, to experiment and test advanced network connectivity solutions within the WestGrid network. The purpose of the project is to provide researchers, high-bandwidth access to the WestGrid network to enable effective grid computing applications, especially visualization This project is part of a 2M$ WED grant that will be hopefully funded at the beginning of next year.

High-bandwidth connectivity

The BigBangwidth BroadLAN System

Cave to Cave Visualization Using BigBangWidth Switch NewMic VizServer CanNet3 UofA Visualization Software

Proposed Time Line for Key Demos Integration and testing of CNS Room and VizRoom to Access Grid: April to end of May 2003 Development of the first solution server prototype: Now to June 2003 Integration and testing of BigBandWidth switch with UofA MACI computers and the VizRoom: March-April 2003 Integration of solution server to VizRoom Software: June-September First Demo of Earth Dynamo Simulation: Beginning of October 2003 Integration and testing of CNS Room and VizRoom to Access Grid: April to end of May 2003 Development of the first solution server prototype: Now to June 2003 Integration and testing of BigBandWidth switch with UofA MACI computers and the VizRoom: March-April 2003 Integration of solution server to VizRoom Software: June-September First Demo of Earth Dynamo Simulation: Beginning of October 2003

Towards Wide Area Teleimmersion Convergence of Virtual Reality, Collaboration Technology and Active Spaces VR Audio Visual Haptics VR Audio Visual Haptics VR Audio Visual Haptics