Global Platform for Rich Media Conferencing and CollaborationGlobal Platform for Rich Media
Conferencing and Collaboration
Philippe GalvezCalifornia Institute of Technology
Feb 19th, 2004 LISHEP 2004, Rio de Janeiro
What is VRVS ?What is VRVS ?
The Virtual Rooms Videoconferencing System has been developed by Caltech since 1995 to provide a world wide videoconference service for education and research communities.
VRVS is a realtime distributed system which provides a scalable communication infrastructure for large collaboration dispersed all over the world.
Different technologies and protocols are supported (and mixed) allowing users to connect their preferred videoconference.
Supports Mbone, H.323, SIP, QuickTime, Access Grid, JMF and MPEG2.
The system is composed of 1 main server and several reflectors (network servers) spread around the world.
VRVS Web Service DesignVRVS Web Service Design
Unified Web User Interface to schedule and join/leave a meeting independently of the application.
Multi-platform: Windows, Linux, MacOS and Unix Easy to use: Everybody (from 4 to 77 years old) knows
how to click on a web page today. Not true for running a VCR
Virtual Room Concept, Scheduling: Create a virtual space were people can exchange real-time information
Join or Leave a Collaborative session anytime: Do not need to know in advance how many participants and booked ports capacity. Just announce the meeting and people will join from anywhere.
Full Documentation and Tutorial Self service: You don’t need a technician or expert to
organize and join a conference
VRVS Reflector ImplementationVRVS Reflector Implementation Avoids Duplication of Streams on a given Link Can be set to Unicast or Multicast mode or both Connection peer-to-peer with neighbors network servers. Connectionless (more reliable to network breaks) Enables Optimized Routing Enables Bandwidth Control Provides low latency communication Can be used for real-time interactivity or broadcast Provides an elegant solution to cross firewall/NAT Remote Management Features. Compliant with IETF RTPv2 Protocol, ready for new applications.
Mbone Mbone ToolsTools
(vic, vat/rat,..)(vic, vat/rat,..)
VRVS Model ImplementationVRVS Model Implementation
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)
SIPSIP
Network Layer (TCP/IP)Network Layer (TCP/IP)
H.323H.323 QuickTimeQuickTimePlayerPlayer
MPEGMPEGMinervaMinerva
Co
llabo
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Co
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Ap
plic
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Ap
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VRVS Web User InterfaceVRVS Web User Interface
VRVS Deployment VRVS Deployment and Usageand Usage
VRVS Reflectors DeploymentVRVS Reflectors Deployment
VRVS Reflectors DeploymentVRVS Reflectors Deployment
USA 27
Brazil 6
Spain 5
Switzerland 5
UK 3
France 3
Slovakia 3
Canada 2
Taiwan 2
Greece 2
Portugal 2
Israel 2
Japan 2
Pakistan 2
Venezuela 2
Italy 1
Germany 1
Chile 1
Poland 1
Hungary 1
China 1
Ireland 1
Russia 1
Czech Republic 1
Belgium 1
Romania 1
Australia 1
Finland 1
79 reflectors Deployment World wide in 27 Different Countries
VRVS registered users and current usageVRVS registered users and current usageas of Feb 17as of Feb 17thth, 2004, 2004
USA 2006
Spain 1210
Italy 565
Switzerland 511
France 496
Brazil 442
Germany 417
UK 349
Slovakia 214
Japan 161
Scheduled Multipoint Videoconferences Sessions
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2001
2002
2003
And much more: Canada, Australia, Chile, Taiwan, Argentina, China,…
Scheduled Multipoint Videoconferences hours Sessions
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2001
2002
2003
8400 different Users8400 different Users registered
from 103 Countries103 Countries
and more than and more than 26300 machines26300 machines
VRVS registered users and current usageVRVS registered users and current usageas of Feb 17as of Feb 17thth, 2004, 2004
We have in average We have in average ONE ONE new registered user new registered user per hour!per hour!
Machines and OSMachines and OS
VRVS support different
Operating Systems
according to the need
and the demand of the
final users:
1st : Windows
2nd: Linux
3rd: Macintosh
4th: Other UNIX
Machines used in VRVSWindows
Linux
Macintosh
Others
Connections from MachinesWindows
Linux
Macintosh
Others
Call Details Record (CDR)Call Details Record (CDR)
Number of Number of VRVS MeetingsVRVS Meetings
Number of Number of ParticipantsParticipants
Total number of Total number of Minutes of video/audio Minutes of video/audio connection connection
NOV 2003NOV 2003 692 2951 144 Days, 17h, 14mn(3473 hours, 14mn)
DEC 2003DEC 2003 656 2734 129 Days, 18h, 57mn(3114 hours, 57mn)
JAN 2004JAN 2004 687 2980 189 Days, 4h, 23mn(4540 hours, 23mn)
Some Examples Some Examples
VRVS on Mac OS XVRVS on Mac OS X
VRVS on WindowsVRVS on Windows
Example 1: Example 1: 20 participants20 participantsBRAZIL (3 sites) + SWITZERLAND (CERN) + USA (Caltech)BRAZIL (3 sites) + SWITZERLAND (CERN) + USA (Caltech)
Example 2: Example 2: 17 participants17 participantsJAPAN + UK + SWITZERLAND + BRAZIL + USA (SLAC + FERMILAB)JAPAN + UK + SWITZERLAND + BRAZIL + USA (SLAC + FERMILAB)
Some FeaturesSome Features
Network and SecurityNetwork and Security
Possibility of tunneling (TCP or UDP) between reflector servers. All communications use only ONE port !
Peer-to-peer design with high scalability and flexibility Solution for Firewall and NAT Performing of some packet recovery VRVS Proxy Java agent for users behind NAT
environment Fixed incompatibility between several H.323 end points Remotely mute/unmute video or/and audio Optimized network bandwidth utilization Real-time packet loss monitoring Support up to 16,000 Virtual Rooms (parallel meetings)
Administration InterfaceAdministration Interface
o Pure Java J2EE + XMLo HTTPS/SSL secure web interfaceo Monitoring reflectors and users in ongoing conferenceo Full control on database
Monalisa: Real-Time MonitoringMonalisa: Real-Time Monitoring
VRVS Virtual SetupVRVS Virtual Setup
1 dual processor PC
With special 4 output graphic card
6400 x 4800 pixels
Most powerful VRVS End Node
What is next ?What is next ?
VRVS Main Technical Trend EvolutionVRVS Main Technical Trend Evolution
V3.(0,1):
VRVS core infrastructure is statically and manually configured and operated
V3.(2,x):
VRVS core infrastructure is automatically configured and monitored. The core software is self dependent and can take self decisions to improve performance/quality without manual intervention
V4.0 and beyond:
• This is a Globally Distributed Self Managed End2End Real-time Infrastructure. It provides the best quality/performance possible• Extends the core intelligence to the edge.• Has a full End2End control and monitoring• The self managed infrastructure has a full knowledge of all the critical/sensitive parameters (all network layers, hardware and software at the end nodes, resources allocated and
available,..) in order to take adequate decisions (alarms, automatic rerouting of traffic, disconnection, remove/add services,..)• Administrator is fully aware with operational status via constant feedback (via UI, email, phone,..) from the self managed core software
3.0
3.x
4.0
End usersEnd applications
Reflectors
Extend intelligence to the edge
On-going and Future On-going and Future developments developments
Globally Distributed Self Managed End2End Real-time Infrastructure
Advanced VRVS Reflectors Advanced VRVS Reflectors functionalitiesfunctionalities
Dynamic registration to high level directory services Automatic re-activation of components and services Automatic and secure code update Continuous monitoring of network quality (packet loss,
jitter, latency) between its peers and its possible peers Automatic rerouting to obtain the best
performance/quality Automatic Alarm notifications when monitored
parameters (system or network) go beyond a preset threshold
Dynamically provides services (video, audio, data,..) that matches the current resources/capabilities to the end users/applications
Provides access to real-time and historical data
Advanced End users/applications Advanced End users/applications functionalities (1/2)functionalities (1/2)
Dynamic registration to high level directory services
Automatic detection of the system parameters (CPU,
Memory,..), hardware components (Audio card, video card, …), services capabilities (video, audio, …), network environment and capabilities (wireless environment, DSL, available bandwidth, …)
Automatic re-activation of components and services Automatic code update Continuous monitoring of network quality (packet loss, jitter,
latency) to the attached reflector and possible others reflectors
Automatic rerouting to obtain the best performance/quality (The communication between an end node will be rerouted transparently and automatically to another reflector for performance optimization)
Advanced End users/applications Advanced End users/applications functionalities (2/2)functionalities (2/2)
Automatic Alarm notifications when monitored parameters (system or network) go beyond a preset threshold
As example: if Desktop CPU is too high, the system will automatically try to perform the following:
reduce services (video/audio/data/..) running in the machine and inform user of the change
or if there is no improvement, inform the user of the problem and where it comes from (if possible) and then propose a solution (ultimately reset the system)
Keep informed the general system administrator
Dynamically gets services (video, audio, data,..) that matches the current resources/capabilities to end users/applications
Provides access to real-time and historical data
On-going and Future On-going and Future developments developments
Adaptation to emerging standards: IPv6, SIP
Improve Security (Firewall, NAT, Authentication, Encryption)
Develop a pure peer-to-peer VRVS reflectors network to be able to handle thousands of parallel sessions.
Integration of new hardware/software for high-end interactivity. Develop a multipoint videoconferencing system based on
MPEG4 compression standard Develop a system using HDTV standard if affordable
hardware devices available.
Wireless/Mobile Client Integration: User Interface dedicated for small screens Integration of low end client. VVP, JMF, MPEG4
VRVS, Caltech TeamVRVS, Caltech Team
Philippe Galvez Pasadena (USA)
Kun Wei Pasadena (USA)
Dave Adamczyk Pasadena (USA)
Dennis Lattka Pasadena (USA)
Gregory Denis Geneva (Switzerland)
David Collados Geneva (Switzerland)
Joao Fernandes Geneva (Switzerland)
Additional SlidesAdditional Slides
Virtual Access GridVirtual Access Grid
User can connect to either unicast or multicast videoconferencing with full supported features
User can create his/her own virtual AG node and virtual venues and integrated into VRVS
Different Video modes possible:Voice switched: default mode for H.323 clients. one
video stream at a timeTimer switched: browse through all the video based
on preset timer. One video stream at a time.Selected Streams: Click among the video participants
to view selected video streams (one or several streams available).
All Streams
VAG with Mbone ClientsVAG with Mbone Clients
Conclusion: We believe that VRVS offers the following unique differentiators:
Usability – VRVS’ web-based user interface is easy to use and allows almost any desktop of videoconference suite to connect to a VRVS virtual room conference by a few clicks. Its default client apps enable multi-standards audio, video and data collaboration.
Scalability – VRVS scales up with the needs for quality and volume more elegantly, and beyond anything possible now.More simultaneous participants in a same virtual
roomMore simultaneous virtual room conferencesWider range of video and data sharing quality
Flexibility – VRVS allows inter-operation of collaborative communications between end points of various audio, video and data sharing capabilities as well as different types of connectivity.
Efficiency – VRVS server software makes efficient use of bandwidth by routing required information only to necessary nodes.
Ubiquity – VRVS’ ease-of-use and scalability unlocks the value of network-based collaboration tools and allows anyone, anywhere, anytime, to improve their collaborative experience.
Robustness – VRVS is field tested on a large scale for a long period of time. It has demonstrated exceptional reliability and a simplified deployment and use, beyond anything available today (except maybe POTS and email!)
Web based interfaceWeb based interface
VRVS provides a natural and intuitive interface to organize and manage your meetings. Several interfaces let you see in 1 shot all current conferences, let you book a new one in 3 clicks. Several academic communities are handled by VRVS. Each one has its specific Virtual Rooms. VRVS manages multi international time zones in a transparent way. Its use do not require technical knowledge nor technician action.
Connection InterfaceConnection Interface
Connect / Disconnect the selected videoconference client Provide different video modes Allow CHAT and Private messages Can share your computer desktop Remote control of video cameras.
co-browsing of web sites real time list of connected participants
share computer desktop with other participants