FXC (FX-Collaborate/Connect) Forecast Systems Laboratory Boulder, CO

FXC System Overview Java “Application” consisting of client & server CLIENT – Runs on all Windows platforms (Not fully tested on Macintosh and Sun) 1-2GHz CPU, 1GB Memory, DSL SERVER – Runs only on Linux platforms Uses AWIPS for creation of meta files Java server connects to users 1-2GHz CPU, 1GB Memory, DSL (more memory for large number of users)

Collaborative Features Common data base (AWIPS plus other) Shared control of display Text chat room Slide show (PowerPoint-like) Case review Local data sharing (plots, JPG/GIF/PNG) Web access (e.g.Cams) Telephony (under development) Mobile/wireless (under development)

AWIPS-like user interface Extensive data sets (models, obs, imagery, text) Display manipulation and interaction Procedures, cross-sections, soundings, etc Extensive graphic annotation capability Choice of servers (real-time and review)

FXC Data Access #1 FXC #2 #3

System Configuration I Stand-alone Mode (No Server) WWW FXC Local Data FXC FXC FXC

System Configuration II FXC Collaborative Mode FXC Session Control FXC AWIPS DB FXC FXC Server

System Configuration III Independent Mode FXC Session Control FXC Session Control Session Control FXC AWIPS DB FXC Session Control FXC Server

System Configuration II & III Hybrid Mode FXC collaboration FXC Session Ctl FXC independent FXC Session Ctl FXC AWIPS DB independent FXC FXC Session Ctl FXC Server

Special Configuration USAF / NASA AWIPS, FXC Server and Client on the same machine Monitor A AWIPS NFS AWIPS DB Monitor B Capture FXC Session Control FXC Component AWIPS Component

Implementation Considerations Firewalls and proxy servers (TCP/IP) Network bandwidth (DSL) Server location (access to AWIPS data) Customization (menus, special data) User training

FXC Customers NWS/RFC – Hurricane briefings to EOC’s NWS/WFO – NDFD forecast coordination (trial) NWS/WFO – Web page preparation FAA/CWSU – Aviation product evaluation NASA/Houston – Shuttle landing Wx brief. USAF/VBAFB&Kennedy – Rocket launch COMET – Classroom training (radar) Alaska - Volcanic Ash Coordination

FXC Customers (Illustrations)

Remote Weather Briefing FDEM Tallahassee, FL SERFC Peachtree City, GA Remote Weather Briefing Tropical Storm Hanna

Aviation Product Evaluation

VACT Remote Collaboration

FXC Display (private session)

FXC Wireless Demonstration

USAF Briefing Tool

Planned Enhancements FXC 3.0.0

FXC 3.0.0 Development Message Repeater FXC R Server R FXC FXC FXC FXC High Speed Server High Speed R FXC FXC FXC FXC FXC FXC FXC Current Server

FXC 3.0.0 Development Session Arbitration ISSUE: Large number of collaborators in a session cause the system to queue up action-requests OPTIONS: Assign a session leader (Briefing) Pass token from user to user Lock out other users for a fixed interval Request control from a master