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 platformsUses AWIPS for creation of meta filesJava server connects to users1-2GHz CPU, 1GB Memory, DSL(more memory for large number of users)

• 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)

Collaborative Features

•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

#2

#3

FXC

System Configuration I

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXC

Stand-alone Mode(No Server)

WWWLocal Data

System Configuration II

SessionControl

SessionControl

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXC

AWIPS DB

FXC Server

Collaborative Mode

System Configuration III

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXC

AWIPS DB

Independent Mode SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

SessionControl

FXC Server

System Configuration II & III

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXC

AWIPS DB

Hybrid Mode

FXCSession Ctl

FXCSession Ctl

FXCSession Ctl

FXCSession Ctl

FXCSession Ctl

FXCSession Ctl

FXC Server

independent

collaboration

independent

Special ConfigurationUSAF / NASA

Monitor A

Monitor B

AWIPS

SessionControl

FXC Component

AWIPS Component

FXCFXC

AWIPS, FXC Server and Client on the same machine

AWIPS DB

NFS

Capture

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 BriefingTropical Storm Hanna

SERFCPeachtree City, GA

FDEMTallahassee, FL

Aviation Product Evaluation

VACT Remote Collaboration

FXC Display (private session)

FXC Wireless Demonstration

USAF Briefing Tool

Planned EnhancementsFXC 3.0.0

FXC 3.0.0 DevelopmentMessage Repeater

ServerR R

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXC

FXCFXC

FXC

High SpeedHigh Speed

FXC

Server

Current

FXC 3.0.0 Development

ISSUE:

Large number of collaborators in a sessioncause 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

Session Arbitration