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

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SQ

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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

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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)

WWW.VRVS.ORGWWW.VRVS.ORG

Contact@VRVS.org

Support@VRVS.org

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