1 Introduction to Collaboration Technologies Brian Corrie Collaboration and Visualization Coordinator WestGrid/IRMACS Simon Fraser University

2 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Agenda Introduction Collaboration technologies AccessGrid

3 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 The process Session being delivered using AccessGrid Distributed, multi-site session Distributed, multi-site session Each site has a node operator Each site has a node operatorQuestions Let the node operator know Let the node operator know Make sure you have a microphone Make sure you have a microphone Identify the site and who you are Identify the site and who you are “Brian Corrie at SFU”

4 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 What is collaboration? The process of working together to accomplish a task Synchronous collaboration Working together at the same time Working together at the same time Distributed collaboration Working with collaborators at a distance Working with collaborators at a distance Primarily focused on IP network based collaboration Primarily focused on IP network based collaboration

5 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Why collaboration in the computational sciences? “The purpose of computing is insight, not numbers” Richard Hamming Collaboration environments Bring the right people together, with the right data, at the right time! Bring the right people together, with the right data, at the right time! In the computational science context Big science = distributed science (E.g. high energy physics) Big science = distributed science (E.g. high energy physics) Science is becoming multi-disciplinary Science is becoming multi-disciplinary More effective research through… Communicating with remote colleagues Communicating with remote colleagues Creating more effective research groups Creating more effective research groups

6 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Teleconferencing Instant messaging Video conferencing Desktop video conferencing Desktop video conferencing Video conferencing rooms Video conferencing rooms Application sharing Integrated collaboration tools Levels of collaboration Increasing Complexity Increasing Presence Use the right tool for the task!

7 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Social aspects of collaboration Goal: to make collaboration effective WestGrid can help you… WestGrid can help you… Use the right tools for the job… Don’t go over the top with technology! Don’t go over the top with technology! As you start to use the tools… Learn what works and what doesn’t Learn what works and what doesn’t Learn what you should and shouldn’t do Learn what you should and shouldn’t do Adapt to technology Adapt to technology

8 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Agenda Introduction Collaboration technologies AccessGrid

9 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Teleconferencing Phone colleague… and collaborate Surprisingly effective - Don’t dismiss it! Multi-point teleconferencing Easy and it works Easy and it works Can cost money Can cost money

10 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Instant messaging Instant communication with short text messages + Rapid exchange of information + Rapid exchange of information + Feeling of presence + Feeling of presence + Spontaneous communication + Spontaneous communication - Extended communications not effective - Extended communications not effective Free services MSN, ICQ, AIM… MSN, ICQ, AIM… WestGrid runs a Jabber server WestGrid runs a Jabber serverClients Wide range of free clients Wide range of free clients

11 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Audio/Video IM tools (desktop video conferencing) Instant messaging with audio (video) +/- Same as with IM clients +/- Same as with IM clients + Allow real time voice/video (extended communication) + Allow real time voice/video (extended communication) - Reliability - Reliability - Primarily point-to-point - Primarily point-to-point - Platform specific - Platform specificRequirements Webcam, headset/mic Webcam, headset/micExamples Skype, iChat, IM Clients… Skype, iChat, IM Clients…

12 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Application sharing Ability to share what you are working on… Desktop application sharing Shares entire desktop or specific applications Shares entire desktop or specific applications “Pixel scraping”, requires reasonable bandwidth “Pixel scraping”, requires reasonable bandwidth IM Tools, Bridgit, VNC, … IM Tools, Bridgit, VNC, … Collaborative applications Designed for collaboration Designed for collaboration Shared whiteboards, editors, powerpoint, visualization… Shared whiteboards, editors, powerpoint, visualization…

13 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Video conferencing Video conferencing rooms Rooms designed for collaboration Rooms designed for collaboration Projectors, microphones, comfortable environment Typically H323 based technologies Typically H323 based technologies Good quality audio and video codecs Interoperability (Polycom, Tandberg, …) Using a room… Using a room… Need to make reservations, need to go to the room May need technical support

14 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Integrated collaboration tools Commercial products IM Tools (iChat, MS Messenger)… IM Tools (iChat, MS Messenger)… IM, presence, voice, video, documents, apps, … WebEx, Groove, Bridgit, Polycom Office WebEx, Groove, Bridgit, Polycom Office Hosted collaboration suites: IM, voice, video, documents Research efforts VRVS VRVS Web based, IM, voice, video, app sharing, … Widely used in some scientific communities AccessGrid AccessGrid To be discussed…

15 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Agenda Introduction Collaboration technologies AccessGrid

16 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 What is AccessGrid (AG)? Project led by Argonne National Lab Collaboration tool for scientific research community Collaboration tool for scientific research community Targeted at group-to-group collaboration Large scale distributed meetings Large scale distributed meetings Collaborative work sessions Collaborative work sessions Distributed conferences Distributed conferences Seminars Seminars Tutorials Tutorials

17 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 AccessGrid features High quality full duplex audio Multiple large format displays Full sized video of speaker Full sized video of speaker Simultaneous viewing of all sites Simultaneous viewing of all sites Multiple video cameras Groups and multiple viewpoints Groups and multiple viewpoints Collaborative software Sharing and interacting with data Sharing and interacting with data Use of advanced networking Multicast, high bandwidth Multicast, high bandwidth AccessGrid SFU AccessGrid UBC

18 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 The WestGrid Collaboration Infrastructure Collaboration rooms at each site Multi-screen, multi-camera environments Multi-screen, multi-camera environments Support a range of technologies Support a range of technologies Many shapes and sizes Many shapes and sizes Support desktop collaboration Support desktop collaboration WestGrid infrastructure Venue servers, network bridges Venue servers, network bridges Operational, research, and meeting venues Operational, research, and meeting venues WestGrid collaboration support Support people at each institution Support people at each institution WestGrid developed tools Visualization, application sharing, … Visualization, application sharing, …

19 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 The WestGrid Collaboration Infrastructure What is it used for? Research group support Research group support E.g. high-energy physics community Research dissemination Research dissemination E.g. “Coast-to-Coast”, lectures, PhD HPC Training HPC Training Intro, Grid, Collab, Vis, MPI, OpenMP, Data, PDEs Operational support Operational support Site leads, CV group, RAC, Finance

20 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 AccessGrid Status AccessGrid version 3.1 Increased feature set, better usability, reliability Increased feature set, better usability, reliability Media tools have improved feature set Version 3.1b1 (June 29, 2007) Version 3.1b1 (June 29, 2007) Version 3.1b2 (October 9, 2007) Version 3.1b2 (October 9, 2007) Version 3.1 should be released soon. Version 3.1 should be released soon. WestGrid AccessGrid status Currently running AccessGrid 3.1b1 on servers Currently running AccessGrid 3.1b1 on servers Supports all AG 3.x clients Supports all AG 3.x clients Moving to AG 3.1 final when released Moving to AG 3.1 final when released

21 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 The AccessGrid Model Virtual room (venue) based model Meeting rooms, research labs Meeting rooms, research labs Meeting rooms scope communication tools Meeting rooms scope communication tools VenueServer manages access to venues VenueServer manages access to venues VenueClient is the user interface to AG VenueClient is the user interface to AG Communication tools Audio, video, chat, presentations Audio, video, chat, presentations

22 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Venue servers Venue Server manages virtual meeting rooms Typically at a “virtual organization” level (e.g. WestGrid) Typically at a “virtual organization” level (e.g. WestGrid) The WestGrid Venue Server (and “The Lobby”) AG 3.x: AG 3.x: Main “hang out” for WestGrid AG people Main “hang out” for WestGrid AG people Other lobbies are accessible from here Other lobbies are accessible from here Often find video feeds and people here for testing… Often find video feeds and people here for testing… Other Venue Servers (Argonne, NCSA, …)

23 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 The AG VenueClient

24 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Venues Venues are virtual meeting rooms Schedule meetings in venues Schedule meetings in venues Venues used for specific purposes Venues used for specific purposes Venue exits “Doors” to other related venues “Doors” to other related venues Venues provide structure Venues provide structureNavigation Use doors to move Use doors to move “My Venues” a list of favorites “My Venues” a list of favorites

25 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Venues and their attributes Venue attributes Participants Participants The people that are connected to a venue Data Data Data (documents, images) that are relevant for the meeting Services Services URLs for information Application sessions Application sessions Shared applications that are being used in the meeting

26 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 AG – Networking AG – Networking Multicast vs Unicast Multicast: Network infrastructure routes data efficiently Multicast: Network infrastructure routes data efficiently Supported on WestGrid core and CANARIE/ORAN networks Typically not supported across campus networks Unicast Unicast Works over almost all networks (NAT/firewalls?) Not as efficient (traffic may be duplicated) Multicast-unicast bridging Bridge sits on the edge of multicast network Bridge sits on the edge of multicast network Bridges are provided at several locations in Canada Bridges are provided at several locations in Canada WestGrid users should choose unicast networking WestGrid users should choose unicast networking

27 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 What is an AG node? Devices (computers, cameras, displays) that in combination provide AG functionality Node manager Node manager Manages the computers in a node Service manager Service manager Manages the services on a computer Node services Node services Provide AG services to a node Provide AG services to a node Often interface with an external device (camera, mic)

28 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 AG Nodes Computer 2 Computer 1 Video Service Audio Service Video Consumer Service Service Manager Node Manager Venue Client

29 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 PIG AG nodes Personal Interface to the Grid (PIG) Single computer, single user AG nodes Single computer, single user AG nodes You were getting worried weren’t you… You were getting worried weren’t you… Much simpler than room nodes Single web cam for video Single web cam for video Headset/microphone for audio Headset/microphone for audio One node manager, one service manager One node manager, one service manager DEFAULT configuration when installed DEFAULT configuration when installed

30 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Resources WestGrid Collaboration Page Using AccessGrid HowTo documents (build a node, install AG, use AG) WestGrid AccessGrid facilities Main AccessGrid pages The Video Development Initiative Cookbook

31 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Questions/Demo…

32 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Node management Service managers Need a service manager on each machine Need a service manager on each machine Service managers manage node services Service managers manage node services Node services Add node services to service managers Add node services to service managers Node configurations Store node configurations for specific purposes Store node configurations for specific purposes

33 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Audio service - RAT Standard audio service is RAT Started automatically Started automatically Sends/receives audio Sends/receives audio Using RAT Lists connected parties in window Lists connected parties in window Names are white when sending Press talk button to transmit audio Press talk button to transmit audio “LEDs” indicate audio levels “LEDs” indicate audio levels Use sliders to adjust audio levels Change device being used for input Change device being used for input Press on arrows beneath “Talk” button

34 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Video service - VIC Standard video service Started automatically by video service Started automatically by video service Producer asks which device to use Producer asks which device to use Using VIC Thumbnail view Thumbnail view Use number keys to change display columns Click on video thumbnail to display window Use “s”, “m”, and “l” to change size of window Autoplace Autoplace Tiles windows across screen

35 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Video service – VIC (continued) Configuring VIC Rate control Rate control Frames per second, bandwidth Transmit toggle Encoder Encoder CODEC being used (h261) Quality level of video stream being sent Video device being used for video capture Configuring drivers Configuring drivers Depends on platform Can impact performance (default typically good) Video config for AG is typically acceptable

36 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Adding data to a venue Adding data is simple… Right click on the Data tab in the Venue Right click on the Data tab in the Venue Select the file and say OK… Select the file and say OK… Venue client will do the “right thing” Will open the appropriate app if it exists Will open the appropriate app if it exists Note that the application is NOT shared Note that the application is NOT shared

37 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Adding a shared application to a venue Shared applications Provides a collaboration capability Provides a collaboration capability Specific to the venue Specific to the venue Shared powerpoint, shared desktop, shared visualization, etc. Adding a shared application Shared apps are registered with Venue Client Shared apps are registered with Venue Client Right click “Application Sessions” Right click “Application Sessions” Lists shared apps that are available Select the shared app desired…

38 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Starting a shared app Starting… Select a shared app that is “registered” Select a shared app that is “registered” Right click the shared app and choose “Open” Right click the shared app and choose “Open”Using… Depends on the shared application Depends on the shared application

39 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Shared presentations Presenter adds presentation shared app Presentation resides in Data section Presentation resides in Data section Presenter maps shared app to presentation Presenter maps shared app to presentation Observers simply open the shared app Presentation starts automatically Presentation starts automatically Presentation goes to the correct slide Presentation goes to the correct slide Slide changes are automatically propagated Slide changes are automatically propagated

40 WestGrid Collaboration HowTo November 21 st, 2007 Shared desktop Provides a easy to use desktop sharing capability Start the shared application Presented with a list of users that are sharing their desktop Presented with a list of users that are sharing their desktop Can provide your desktop to other users Can provide your desktop to other users Can view other users desktop Can view other users desktop