Description

The Access Grid (AG) is a nation-wide internet-connected infrastructure which enables people to participate in multi-site immsersive collaborations. The AG consists standardized equipment and software at each AG site (or node) and provides multiple modes of communication between nodes. For example, multiple video streams, audio, shared applications, and presentation material all may be simultaneusly viewed or manipulated. The AG project was started by the Alliance. Visit the Access Grid Project site for more details.

Images

Here are some pictures of the Access Grid node equipment at SDSC:
(click on the thumbnails for larger images)

Auditorium	Equipment	Rack (kb in)	Rack (kb out)
Components (top)	Components (bottom)	Cameras	Camera Detail

Involvement

I was responsible for specing, purchasing, and assembling all of the equipment and software required to build SDSC's AG node. I built the cables and mounted and wired all of the components in the rack. I installed and configured the operating systems (Linux, Windows NT, and Windows 2000), as well as the application software, and AG software. Finally, I ran the first dozen or so test sessions and real meetings in in order to bring the system on-line into full production state. I also greatfully acknowledge the help I recieved from the following individuals:
Bernard Pailthorpe (SDSC) - provided political and financial backing.
Bob Olson (ANL) - overall AG installation and configuration advice.
Mark Devenport (SDSC) - initial installation of Windows2000 on the control CPU.
Jon Meyer (SDSC) - built the external audio cables, configured the Genter G400.
Harry Ammons (SDSC) - purchased camera tripods and video cables.
Everyone Else (*@*) - the other AG sites and MUD characters for testing help.

Equipment

The Access Grid node shown above was built, as much as possible, to the ANL specifications. Some hardware and software variations were made such as:
• A small rolling rack holds all primary hardware components (ie: everything but the peripheral devices - cameras, projectors, mics, speakers).

• The LCD display and keyboard are rack mounted at heights which are usable by an operator sitting in a standard office chair.

• Two rack mounted power strips were added to enable front-access master power control over the computer systems and A/V gear.

• Microsoft's NetMeeting software is used to share slides, applications and other content during presentations.

I have added two "tabs" (spreadsheets) to ANL's original equipment list and have included the complete modified Excel file agnode-list.xls for download. The two additional sheets "PRs" and "Power" describe, respectively, the list of equipment that SDSC purchased and the power requirements for all of the equipment.