o. ardaiz , l. díaz de cerio, r. meseguer, a. gallardo, k. sanjeevan

UlabGrid Framework for Computationally Intensive Remote and Collaborative Learning Laboratories

O. Ardaiz, L. Díaz de Cerio, R. Meseguer, A. Gallardo, K. Sanjeevan

Computer Architecture Department

Politecnic University Catalunya, Spain

Outline

Out botton-up approach. Taking advantage of grid. Ulab framework. Experimentation. Future Work.

Our Botton-up approach

Objetive: “develope new collaborative learning applications of grid technology”

First step: deploy Grid testbed. Linux resources, GTK2.4, GT3.0, mini-CA.

Second step: evaluate grid technology capabilities. Test demo application, develop small scientific application.

Third step: Look for collaborative learning applications that can benefit for grid. In our teaching (programming, computer networking), in

nearby schools (aeronautics engineering school). Fourth step: Implement and evaluate.

Taking advantage of Grids

¿New educational applications, methods,…? ¿Students learning to use scientist new grid tools, or learning

while using them? Grid.edu Workshop.

Equal benefits as scientists: Resource sharing for “cost” sharing:

Reducing education costs is good. Computationally intensive applications:

Computer network simulator, (but to learn networking, only small simulations are required)

3D flight simulator, graphical 3D simulations consume 100% CPU ---->Lets try it!!!!

Ulab Framework

We are not interested in a particular application, but to provide support for multiple collaborative application -> Design a framework, “generic libraries to develop applications”.

Requirements: Built on “de facto” grid standards:

-> Use GTK2.4. Use some existing application code:

-> Gridification of applications. “thin” clients for remote visualization and interaction:

-> Use VNCviewer. Support for collaborative learning groups:

->Implement session manager.

Internet

GSIFTPServerGlobus-Gatekeeper

Pentium IV pcmartino.ac.upc.es


Pentium IV pc3.ac.upc.es







ULab Grid

VNC Protocol

Grid-Proxy GassServerGlobusPortal

User Directory

File Server

Pcribes.ac..upc.es

ReplicaMgr MetadataDirector

yServer

Session Manager

Grid ManagerGSIFTPServer

avant.upc.es

GSIFTP Protocol

GRAM Protocol

Session Control Protocol

Ulab Framework (I): VNC for app access

Student 1VNC client Session client

App1 App2

App3


App1

App2

App3

%VNC-server:1

%FS &

Internet



%Vnc-server:1%FS &









ULab Grid

VNC Protocol

(Session 1)


User Directory

File Server

Pcribes.ac..upc.es


yServer

Session Manager


avant.upc.es

GSIFTP Protocol

GRAM Protocol


Ulab Framework(II):Multiple application access


App1 App2

App3


App1

App2

App3

%VNC-server:1

%FS &

VNC Protocol

(Session 2)

%VNC-server:1

%Net-Sim-2 &

Internet



%Vnc-server:1%FS &









ULab Grid

VNC Protocol

(Session 1)


User Directory

File Server

Pcribes.ac..upc.es


yServer

Session Manager


avant.upc.es

GSIFTP Protocol

GRAM Protocol


Ulab Framework (III):Visual Session Sharing


App1 App2

App3


App1

App2

App3

%VNC-server:1

%FS &

VNC Protocol

(Session 2)%VNC-server:1

%Net-Sim-2 &

Student 1Co-pilot Observe

Implementation Session manager:

Several applications available to each student, Students can share applications, Several students on same session,

Resource manager: All grid resources available to each student, Controls resource status and implements resource

scheduling, Control resources used by each student,“Comunication between Rsc Mgr and Session Mgr

permits to share sessions”.

Experiment Results (I) Globus Toolkit:

GTK2.4 is OK, GTK3.0 takes upto 20 seconds to launch

processes. Gridification Flight Simulator :

only required an scriptable configuration file. Special VNC server for OpenGL application: xf4vnc.

Resource usage: High network traffic: peaks of 12 Mbits, average of

1Mbit. CPU consumption: VNCserver requires CPU to

compress data.

Experiment Results (II) Collaborative learning sessions:

Session manager also provides chat rooms. VNC permits to share screen. Mouse sharing modes: 1 user controls, shared

control. 2 students piloting same aircraft. 1 student piloting + 1 instructor observing.

Further Work (I) Scheduling algorithm for interactive

applications: Network latency and BW between grid nodes

and clients has to be taken into account. Session migration:

If a node fails, state of flight session must be transfered.

Pedagogical evaluation: Experiments with students in a real course. Problems they find.

Further Work (II)

Servidor 1

Servidor 2

Servidor 4

Servidor 3

Client 1

VNC

VNC

VNC

VNC

Divide rendering between “n” grid nodes: Paralelise application. VNC client receiving “n” screens.

Further requirements (after talking with some teachers) Demand resources in advance:

“Tomorrow there will be a session at 9 AM”. Save student sessions and logs for:

Re-playing sessions to learn from previous errors. Student evaluation.

Only for flight learning: Coordination among several planes on same air

space.

Other applications grids for bio-chemistry students.

Molecular docking, and remote 3-D visualization.

Conclusions Some work need for a functional framework:

Interactive scheduling algorithm, A lot more work for an operational system:

Students are very demanding: if something fails, learning session has to post-pone.

To collaborate, email us: [email protected] Your students use a CPU-intensive app. Find educational applications of your grid.

Thanks for your attention !!!!

o. ardaiz , l. díaz de cerio, r. meseguer, a. gallardo, k. sanjeevan

Documents

fs vnc protocolsession

special vnc server

grid standards

grid testbed

grid resources available

applications available

intensive applications

gridification of applications