Philippe GalvezPhilippe Galvez

California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology

September 27, 2000

VRVS Overview VRVS Overview

Historical Background

Starting by the end of 1995, the Caltech/CMS group started the Starting by the end of 1995, the Caltech/CMS group started the deployment of deployment of videoconferencing facilities videoconferencing facilities and the and the development of a first development of a first Web-based user interface.Web-based user interface.

At the beginning of 1997, pushed by strong demands from At the beginning of 1997, pushed by strong demands from users preparing the LHC experiments, users preparing the LHC experiments, Caltech/CMS group Caltech/CMS group started a prototype servicestarted a prototype service..

In 1997, The VRVS System became the basis of the In 1997, The VRVS System became the basis of the Videoconferencing Project, approved by the Videoconferencing Project, approved by the LHC Computing LHC Computing BoardBoard (LCB). (LCB).

In 1998/1999 VRVS received In 1998/1999 VRVS received Widespread and StrongWidespread and Strong Support Support from the Research and Education Communities and became the from the Research and Education Communities and became the foundation for foundation for new video and multimedia servicesnew video and multimedia services to be to be deployed throughout deployed throughout Internet2.Internet2.

Why a challenge ?

Some key points for the HEP community Some key points for the HEP community Very Large Community Very Disperse Community (located in all continents) Large number of different Physics experiments Need collaboration between small or large groups inside

experiments Need one or several features: Audio, Video, Shared Application,

Shared desktop, Very high Quality,.. Area of work is physics research and not “Collaborative tools”

Today no “magic” commercial tools availableToday no “magic” commercial tools available ISDN still very limited to cover all the mentioned key points No H.323 deployment done in large scale

Clients and Gatekeepers interoperability problem. MCU’s management However, Initial test and deployment in some well control network

clouds.. No tendency to provide very high quality (address mass market) No tendency to provide integrated system

Vi5tual Room Videoconferencing System

Current System

VRVS is now a production system:VRVS is now a production system:

As of today, more than As of today, more than 3327 machines3327 machines from 2025 different from 2025 different users are registered into the system.users are registered into the system.

During the year 1999, During the year 1999, 872 Multipoint Conferences872 Multipoint Conferences were were conducted (Total 2325 Hours).conducted (Total 2325 Hours).

More than More than 3000 point to point3000 point to point connections were established. connections were established.

Since January 2000: Since January 2000: 100 multipoints (300 hours)100 multipoints (300 hours) of of videoconference videoconference per month per month in average.in average.

The system provides The system provides VideoVideo, , AudioAudio, , WhiteboardWhiteboard, , ChatChat in in multi-point and point to point connections.multi-point and point to point connections.

Organizing videoconference via a full graphical Organizing videoconference via a full graphical booking booking systemsystem..

Advanced options are available, such as the access control Advanced options are available, such as the access control via via passwordspasswords, the , the recordingrecording and the and the playbackplayback of session. of session.

VRVS Statistics

0200400600800

1000120014001600180020002200240026002800300032003400

Jan-

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Mar

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Apr-

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Jul-9

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Jun-

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Aug-

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

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Jan-

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Months

Number of Machines and People registered in VRVS

Machines Registered People Registered

HENP Community

HENP CommunityHENP Community..

Hosts registered from: Hosts registered from: CMS, Atlas, Alice, Lhc-b, Aleph, NA48, NA49, CMS, Atlas, Alice, Lhc-b, Aleph, NA48, NA49, NA50, AMS, Aleph, Babar, RHIC, CDF, Ceres/NA45, Chorus, Delphi, NA50, AMS, Aleph, Babar, RHIC, CDF, Ceres/NA45, Chorus, Delphi, DESY/ZDV, H1, CEBAF, KLOE, KTeV, L3, Minos, Soudan2, OPAL, PHENIX, DESY/ZDV, H1, CEBAF, KLOE, KTeV, L3, Minos, Soudan2, OPAL, PHENIX, STAR, SpEcTrE, WA95, WA98, ZEUS, etc …STAR, SpEcTrE, WA95, WA98, ZEUS, etc …

ATLAS 782 MINOS 17 GLAST 116CMS 503 STAR 16 JET 12

ALICE 94 COMPASS 10

LHC 39 ZEUS 15DELPHI 98 AMS 17

CDF 48 KTeV 10

Aleph 45 KLOE 1RHIC 12 OPAL 31

BaBar 14 wa98 8L3 26 Phenix 7

Hosts from Different Hosts

America 653

Asia 45

Australia 10

Africa/Mid-Orient 23Europe 1690

Sw itzerland 553Italy 236

England 177

France 163Germany 155

Finland 60Russia 55

Sw eden 39

Others 107

User Statistics: SchedulingHours of Videoconference

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1997

1998

1999

2000

http://VRVS.cern.chhttp://VRVS.cern.ch

Full Documentation and Tutorial

A download VRVS package area

Latest News page

A user profile editor with identification and general information

Virtual Room Booking, Scheduling; Request Reserved Bandwidth

the Virtual Room Join process

Point to Point meeting within Registered Persons

the “About” section with all the information about the organization and the project

User Interface 1/6

The Schedule ManagerThe Schedule Manager Booking a Virtual Room is performed in the same way as you Booking a Virtual Room is performed in the same way as you

would book a local conference room.would book a local conference room. If all the Virtual Rooms are booked, it means that the (pre-set) If all the Virtual Rooms are booked, it means that the (pre-set)

maximum number of parallel conferences has already been maximum number of parallel conferences has already been reached.reached.

User Interface 2/6

Select the Select the Virtual RoomVirtual Room

Select the scope ofSelect the scope ofyour videoconferenceyour videoconference

ContinentalVirtual Rooms

World WideVirtual Rooms

User Interface 3/6

Schedule ManagerSchedule Manager

Different views are provided like a Year, a Month and a Day view from the calendar. The user can see in one shot what is reserved and what is free.

Some options are available:Some options are available: the conference can be recorded automatically a previous conference already recorded can be played back a customized password can be entered to increase the control

of the access URLs about the subject of the conference can be added

User Interface 4/6

How to join a videoconference in VRVS ?How to join a videoconference in VRVS ? Select the Virtual as in the Schedule ManagerSelect the Virtual as in the Schedule Manager Enter the already booked Virtual Room.Enter the already booked Virtual Room. Fill the password requested for the security enhance Fill the password requested for the security enhance

session.session. Start the client applications.Start the client applications.

Information: Virtual Room name,Title, Current time and ending time

Participants: geographical origin, media started, Full name and email

Click to start: audio, video, whiteboard and web links

User Interface 5/6

Client Applications currently used in VRVS.Client Applications currently used in VRVS.

Public-Domain or Free PlayersPublic-Domain or Free Players Good “Sense of Presence”: Good “Sense of Presence”: 10 Frames/sec Within 100-200 Kbps or 10 Frames/sec Within 100-200 Kbps or

20-25 Frames/sec within 300-500 Kbps20-25 Frames/sec within 300-500 Kbps Tunable Bandwidth/Quality/Resource MatchingTunable Bandwidth/Quality/Resource Matching Multi-Platforms : Multi-Platforms : Linux, Unix’s, Windows95/98/NT/2000, Macintosh Linux, Unix’s, Windows95/98/NT/2000, Macintosh

(only with QuickTime)(only with QuickTime)

Efficient, TunableEfficient, Tunable

RATVATVIC QuickTime Player 4.x

CHAT

WhiteBoard

User Interface 6/6

Example:Example: 9 Participants, CERN(2), Caltech, FNAL(2), Bologna (IT), Roma (IT), Milan (IT), Rutherford(UK)

Implementation 3/4 : Reflectors

Europe:Europe: SwitzerlandSwitzerland: : CERN (2)CERN (2) ItalyItaly: : CNAF BolognaCNAF Bologna UKUK: : Rutherford Lab, WalesRutherford Lab, Wales FranceFrance: : IN2P3 Lyon, MarseillesIN2P3 Lyon, Marseilles GermanyGermany: : Heidelberg Univ.Heidelberg Univ. FinlandFinland: : FUNETFUNET SpainSpain: : IFCA-Univ. CantabriaIFCA-Univ. Cantabria PortugalPortugal: LIP: LIP Israel: Israel: Weizmann InstituteWeizmann Institute

Asia:Asia: Academia Sinica Academia Sinica (Taiwan),(Taiwan), KEKKEK (Japan) (Japan) APAN/SingaREN (Singapore)APAN/SingaREN (Singapore)

Russia:Russia: Moscow State Univ., Moscow State Univ., Tver. UniversityTver. University JINR DubnaJINR Dubna

United States of AmericaUnited States of America WestWest: : Caltech, LBNL, SLACCaltech, LBNL, SLAC CenterCenter: : FNAL, FNAL, ANLANL EastEast: : BNL, Jefferson LabBNL, Jefferson Lab DoE HQDoE HQ Germantown Germantown Internet2Internet2: Ann Abor: Ann Abor EsnetEsnet: Berkeley: Berkeley

South AmericaSouth America VenezuelaVenezuela:: CeCalculaCeCalcula Brazil: Brazil: University de Rio de JaneiroUniversity de Rio de Janeiro

30 reflectors Running around the world.

Implementation Model

donedone Partially donePartially done Work in progressWork in progress Continuously in development

Qo

SQ

oS

VRVS Reflectors (Unicast/Multicast)VRVS Reflectors (Unicast/Multicast)

Real Time Protocol (RTP/RTCP)Real Time Protocol (RTP/RTCP)

Mbone Mbone ToolsTools

(vic, vat/rat,..)(vic, vat/rat,..)

QuickTimeQuickTime

V4.0H.323H.323 MPEGMPEG

OthersOthers

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Network Layer (TCP/IP)Network Layer (TCP/IP)

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VRVS Web User InterfaceVRVS Web User Interface

R&D : Medium Term Plan

Principal InvestigatorPrincipal Investigator:: Caltech and ESnet Caltech and ESnetCollaboratorsCollaborators:: CERN, Internet2/UCAIDCERN, Internet2/UCAID

The new system aimed at using the capability of Internet2 and ESnet for rapid The new system aimed at using the capability of Internet2 and ESnet for rapid data exchange, will be based on VRVSdata exchange, will be based on VRVS

Develop a prototype and start deployment of high performance “Develop a prototype and start deployment of high performance “next next generation Integrated Environment for Collaborative workgeneration Integrated Environment for Collaborative work””

We will adapt and extend VRVS API to accommodate and support We will adapt and extend VRVS API to accommodate and support high performance multimedia application suites (MPEG1 and MPEG2 high performance multimedia application suites (MPEG1 and MPEG2 streaming video, shared iGRID applications, integration with H.323.)streaming video, shared iGRID applications, integration with H.323.)

QoS tests over ESnet and Internet2 networksQoS tests over ESnet and Internet2 networks

A Next Generation Integrated Environment for A Next Generation Integrated Environment for Collaborative Work Across InternetsCollaborative Work Across Internets

R&D : Future System

VRVS Future evolution/integration (R&D)VRVS Future evolution/integration (R&D)

Deployment and support of VRVS.Deployment and support of VRVS. High Quality video and audio (MPEG1, MPEG2,..).High Quality video and audio (MPEG1, MPEG2,..). Shared applications, environment and workspace.Shared applications, environment and workspace. Integration of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS.Integration of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS. Quality of Service (QoS) over the network.Quality of Service (QoS) over the network. Improved security, authentication and confidentiality.Improved security, authentication and confidentiality. Remote control of video camera via a Java applet.Remote control of video camera via a Java applet.

VRVS reflectors topology(Only video from the speaker is sent to H.323 clients)

VRVS H.323 VRVS H.323 GatewayGateway

2 - contact VRVS Gateway

R&D : H.323 Integration

VRVS Web ServerVRVS Web Server

1 - Join a VR

H.323 Client H.323 Client

Mbone Client

1- Join a VR

Join a VR

3 - H.323 Call 3 - H.323 Call

4 - Send video/audio to VRVS reflector

No limitation No limitation of cascading numbers of reflectorsof cascading numbers of reflectors No limitation No limitation of number of participants or parallel of number of participants or parallel

conferencesconferences. . The limitation will be only the network.The limitation will be only the network.

Optimize Optimize calling process for by passingcalling process for by passing firewall issues. firewall issues. Possibility to have Possibility to have muticast/unicastmuticast/unicast between reflectors and between reflectors and

multicast/unicastmulticast/unicast between the client and the reflector between the client and the reflector.. Possibility for the H.323 client to:Possibility for the H.323 client to:

See the video See the video from the speaker onlyfrom the speaker only See See all videoall video using vic application using vic application See all video from See all video from allall the participants in a the participants in a round robin wayround robin way following following

a specified timera specified timer Selected and see Selected and see ONLYONLY the video from one the video from one selected participantselected participant even even

if he is not the speaker.if he is not the speaker.

Possibility to havePossibility to have Mbone applications (vic, vat/rat) Mbone applications (vic, vat/rat) in the in the same videoconferencesame videoconference

R&D : H.323 Integration

R&D : H.323 Integration

R&D : MPEG2 deployment

Acquisition of Acquisition of MPEG2 Encoder/DecoderMPEG2 Encoder/Decoder boxes. boxes.Support for the Support for the RTPRTP (Real Time Protocol) (Real Time Protocol)Very Very low latencylow latency (around (around 120 ms120 ms for full duplex mode) during for full duplex mode) during

the real-time communication (videoconference).the real-time communication (videoconference).Availability of a Availability of a Video Development ToolkitVideo Development Toolkit (VDK) for (VDK) for

integration with existing applications or with the VRVS integration with existing applications or with the VRVS framework.framework.

One box has been installed at two sites: One box has been installed at two sites: Caltech and CERNCaltech and CERN

Other boxes are available amongOther boxes are available among ESnet sites ESnet sites

Goal : To deploy MPEG2 technology among HENP community. Goal : To deploy MPEG2 technology among HENP community. MPEG2 will provide full TV quality, full frame and full MPEG2 will provide full TV quality, full frame and full

interactivity in a range of 2 to 15 Mbpsinteractivity in a range of 2 to 15 Mbps

VRVS MPEG2 reflectors(Only video from the speaker is sent to MPEG2 clients

and the current speaker still receives video/audio from the previous one)

R&D : MPEG2 deployment

VNP MPEG2 box

LLNL

VNP MPEG2 box

CERN

VNP MPEG2 box

LNBL

Instance of MPEG2 Instance of MPEG2 topology already tested.topology already tested.

Video: 2.0 MbpsVideo: 2.0 Mbps

Audio: 224 Kbps stereoAudio: 224 Kbps stereo

VNP MPEG2 box

Caltech

R&D : Sharing Desktop

VNC technology integrated in the next VRVS releaseVNC technology integrated in the next VRVS release

Examples

LEPC broadcastLEPC broadcast from CERN (November 9,1999) from CERN (November 9,1999) 35 participants35 participants connected via VRVS (ex. QuickTime Player) connected via VRVS (ex. QuickTime Player)

Examples

GLASTGLAST meeting (October 14,1999) meeting (October 14,1999) 10 participants connected via VRVS (and 16 participants in Audio only)10 participants connected via VRVS (and 16 participants in Audio only)

Requested received last weeks

Francis Lee (Application manager SingAREN)Francis Lee (Application manager SingAREN) “ “I am a member of the Asia I am a member of the Asia Pacific Advance Network(APAN) as well as Singapore Advance research & Pacific Advance Network(APAN) as well as Singapore Advance research & education network(SingAREN). We are members of the Internet2 community. I education network(SingAREN). We are members of the Internet2 community. I found your VRVS site very interesting. I would like to explore some point of found your VRVS site very interesting. I would like to explore some point of collaboration…”collaboration…”

Pavel Murin (Slovak outreach).Pavel Murin (Slovak outreach). “..“..Slovak institutes participating in LHC Slovak institutes participating in LHC program have an interest to install VRVS reflector in Slovakia. Some financial program have an interest to install VRVS reflector in Slovakia. Some financial support we have obtained from NATO (NATO net infrastructure program for Partner support we have obtained from NATO (NATO net infrastructure program for Partner countries), we would like to buy a computer equipped with hardware proper for countries), we would like to buy a computer equipped with hardware proper for VRVS server/reflector…”VRVS server/reflector…”

Dan Mønster (Danish Research Network, DARENET).Dan Mønster (Danish Research Network, DARENET). “..I am presently “..I am presently looking into the possibility of using our network for videoconferencing between the looking into the possibility of using our network for videoconferencing between the universities in Denmark. One of the applications is to create virtual class rooms, in universities in Denmark. One of the applications is to create virtual class rooms, in which a teacher can interact with both local and remote students. VRVS is extremely which a teacher can interact with both local and remote students. VRVS is extremely interesting for the applications that I have in mindinteresting for the applications that I have in mind..”..”

Requested received last weeks

Steve Williams (University of Wales Swansea)Steve Williams (University of Wales Swansea) ”..I have been ”..I have been looking at the vrvs pages and am impressed by what it can do. What is the looking at the vrvs pages and am impressed by what it can do. What is the situation with the reflector/server side software - is it available for outside situation with the reflector/server side software - is it available for outside use? We may have a requirement for a similar system..”use? We may have a requirement for a similar system..”

Rodrigo Castro (Spanish National Research Network (RedIRIS) Rodrigo Castro (Spanish National Research Network (RedIRIS) ) :) :”..Our first idea would be to introduce this technology in our research ”..Our first idea would be to introduce this technology in our research network and extend it along different points of Spain. Since one of the lines network and extend it along different points of Spain. Since one of the lines of future development you mention in your Web pages is the distribution of a of future development you mention in your Web pages is the distribution of a package containing VRVS, we feel we can collaborate with you in this are..”package containing VRVS, we feel we can collaborate with you in this are..”

James MacKinnon (Univ. Alberta Canada)James MacKinnon (Univ. Alberta Canada) “..This looks “..This looks encouraging, as we are very interested in providing a framework for encouraging, as we are very interested in providing a framework for conferencing within ATLAS Canada, and a reflector site would greatly conferencing within ATLAS Canada, and a reflector site would greatly facilitate this..”facilitate this..”

Some Conclusions

VRVS is now a VRVS is now a production systemproduction system with more than with more than 3327 registered host computers3327 registered host computers located in more than located in more than 52 countries. 52 countries.

VRVS will VRVS will support all the types of support all the types of videoconferencingvideoconferencing; from the ; from the Mbone Mbone and theand the H.323 H.323 applicationsapplications to a very high video and audio to a very high video and audio quality like quality like MPEG2;MPEG2;

Manpower resource shared betweenManpower resource shared between the the production system production system and and thethe R&D R&D ---- Critical Critical Situation Situation ----

Videoconferencing Videoconferencing is a just one piece of a is a just one piece of a collaborative collaborative toolkittoolkit which is today a which is today a vital partvital part of the of the widely widely spread spread

Research and Education communityResearch and Education community

Questions ?

Philippe GalvezPhilippe GalvezCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology

Philippe.Galvez@cern.chPhilippe.Galvez@cern.ch