Philippe GalvezPhilippe Galvez

California Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology

October 19, 2000

Virtual Room Videoconferencing System Virtual Room Videoconferencing System UpdateUpdate

Vi5tual Room Videoconferencing System

Current System

VRVS is a production system:VRVS is a production system:

As of today, more than As of today, more than 3458 machines3458 machines from 2107 different from 2107 different users are registered into the system.users are registered into the system.

During the year 1999, During the year 1999, 872 Multipoint Conferences872 Multipoint Conferences were were conducted (Total 2325 Hours).conducted (Total 2325 Hours).

More than More than 3000 point to point3000 point to point connections were established. connections were established.

Since January 2000: Since January 2000: 100 multipoints (300 hours)100 multipoints (300 hours) of of videoconference videoconference per month per month in average.in average.

The system provides The system provides VideoVideo, , AudioAudio, , WhiteboardWhiteboard, , ChatChat in in multi-point and point to point connections.multi-point and point to point connections.

Organizing videoconference via a full graphical Organizing videoconference via a full graphical booking booking systemsystem..

Advanced options are available, such as the access control Advanced options are available, such as the access control via via passwordspasswords, the , the recordingrecording and the and the playbackplayback of session. of session.

VRVS Statistics

0200400600800

1000120014001600180020002200240026002800300032003400

Jan-

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b-98

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Months

Number of Machines and People registered in VRVS

Machines Registered People Registered

User Statistics: Scheduling

Hours of Videoconference

0

50

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450

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

1997

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http://www.vrvs.orghttp://www.vrvs.org

Full Documentation and Tutorial

A download VRVS package area

Latest News page

A user profile editor with identification and general information

Virtual Room Booking, Scheduling; Request Reserved Bandwidth

the Virtual Room Join process

Point to Point meeting within Registered Persons

the “About” section with all the information about the organization and the project

User Interface 1/6

The Schedule ManagerThe Schedule Manager Booking a Virtual Room is performed in the same way as you Booking a Virtual Room is performed in the same way as you

would book a local conference room.would book a local conference room. If all the Virtual Rooms are booked, it means that the (pre-set) If all the Virtual Rooms are booked, it means that the (pre-set)

maximum number of parallel conferences has already been maximum number of parallel conferences has already been reached.reached.

User Interface 2/6

Select the Select the Virtual RoomVirtual Room

Select the scope ofSelect the scope ofyour videoconferenceyour videoconference

ContinentalVirtual Rooms

World WideVirtual Rooms

User Interface 3/6

Schedule ManagerSchedule Manager

Different views are provided like a Year, a Month and a Day view from the calendar. The user can see in one shot what is reserved and what is

available.

Some options are available:Some options are available: the conference can be recorded automatically a previous conference already recorded can be played back a customized password can be entered to to control the access URLs about the subject of the conference can be added

User Interface 4/6

How to join a videoconference in VRVS ?How to join a videoconference in VRVS ? Select the scope area as in the Schedule ManagerSelect the scope area as in the Schedule Manager Enter the already booked Virtual Room.Enter the already booked Virtual Room. Fill the password requested for the security enhance Fill the password requested for the security enhance

session.session. Start the client applications.Start the client applications.

Information: Virtual Room name,Title, Current time and ending time

Participants: geographical origin, media started, Full name and email

Click to start: audio, video, whiteboard and web links

User Interface 5/6

Client Applications currently used in VRVS.Client Applications currently used in VRVS.

Public-Domain or Free PlayersPublic-Domain or Free Players Good “Sense of Presence”: Good “Sense of Presence”: 10 Frames/sec Within 100-200 Kbps or 10 Frames/sec Within 100-200 Kbps or

20-25 Frames/sec within 300-500 Kbps20-25 Frames/sec within 300-500 Kbps Tunable Bandwidth/Quality/Resource MatchingTunable Bandwidth/Quality/Resource Matching Multi-Platforms : Multi-Platforms : Linux, Unix’s, Windows95/98/NT/2000, Macintosh Linux, Unix’s, Windows95/98/NT/2000, Macintosh

(only with QuickTime)(only with QuickTime)

Efficient, TunableEfficient, Tunable

RATVATVIC QuickTime Player 4.x

CHAT

WhiteBoard

User Interface 6/6

Example:Example: 9 Participants, CERN(2), Caltech, FNAL(2), Bologna (IT), Roma (IT), Milan (IT), Rutherford(UK)

Implementation 1/4 : Reflectors

Europe:Europe: SwitzerlandSwitzerland: : CERN (2)CERN (2) ItalyItaly: : CNAF BolognaCNAF Bologna UKUK: : Rutherford Lab, WalesRutherford Lab, Wales FranceFrance: : IN2P3 Lyon, MarseillesIN2P3 Lyon, Marseilles GermanyGermany: : Heidelberg Univ.Heidelberg Univ. FinlandFinland: : FUNETFUNET SpainSpain: : IFCA-Univ. CantabriaIFCA-Univ. Cantabria PortugalPortugal: LIP: LIP Israel: Israel: Weizmann InstituteWeizmann Institute

Asia:Asia: Academia Sinica Academia Sinica (Taiwan),(Taiwan), KEKKEK (Japan) (Japan) APAN/SingaREN APAN/SingaREN (Singapore)(Singapore)

Russia:Russia: Moscow State Univ., Moscow State Univ., Tver. UniversityTver. University JINR DubnaJINR Dubna

United States of AmericaUnited States of America WestWest: : Caltech, LBNL, SLACCaltech, LBNL, SLAC CenterCenter: : FNAL, FNAL, ANLANL EastEast: : BNL, Jefferson LabBNL, Jefferson Lab DoE HQDoE HQ Germantown Germantown Internet2Internet2: Ann Abor: Ann Abor EsnetEsnet: Berkeley: Berkeley

CanadaCanadaUniversity of AlbertaUniversity of Alberta

South AmericaSouth America VenezuelaVenezuela:: CeCalculaCeCalcula Brazil:Brazil:University de Rio de JaneiroUniversity de Rio de Janeiro

31 reflectors Running around the world.

Implementation Model

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)

Mbone Mbone ToolsTools

(vic, vat/rat,..)(vic, vat/rat,..)

QuickTimeQuickTime

V4.0H.323H.323 MPEGMPEG

OthersOthers

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Network Layer (TCP/IP)Network Layer (TCP/IP)

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Co

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Ap

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Ap

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VRVS Web User InterfaceVRVS Web User Interface

R&D : Future System

VRVS Future evolution/integration (R&D)VRVS Future evolution/integration (R&D)

Deployment and support of VRVS.Deployment and support of VRVS. High Quality video and audio (MPEG2,..).High Quality video and audio (MPEG2,..). Shared applications, environment and workspace.Shared applications, environment and workspace. Integration of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS.Integration of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS. Quality of Service (QoS) over the network.Quality of Service (QoS) over the network. Improved security, authentication and confidentiality.Improved security, authentication and confidentiality. Remote control of video camera via a Java applet.Remote control of video camera via a Java applet.

VRVS H.323 Integration (1/2)

Integration Integration of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS.of H.323 I.T.U Standard into VRVS.step 1step 1: Develop a “H.323 VRVS Gateway”.: Develop a “H.323 VRVS Gateway”.step 2step 2: Allow H.323 clients to initiate a point to point : Allow H.323 clients to initiate a point to point

videoconference using VRVS user interface.videoconference using VRVS user interface.step 3step 3: Use VRVS reflector to perform H.323 multipoint : Use VRVS reflector to perform H.323 multipoint

videoconference.videoconference.step 4step 4: Develop the necessary software to have interoperability : Develop the necessary software to have interoperability

between H.323 clients and Mbone (Vic, Vat/Rat) applications.between H.323 clients and Mbone (Vic, Vat/Rat) applications.step5step5: Possibility to perform VRVS multipoint videoconferencing : Possibility to perform VRVS multipoint videoconferencing

independently of the videoconferencing clients (Mbone/H.323)independently of the videoconferencing clients (Mbone/H.323)

VRVS reflectors topology(Only video from the speaker is sent to H.323 clients)

VRVS H.323 VRVS H.323 GatewayGateway

2 - contact VRVS Gateway

R&D : H.323 Integration (2/2)

VRVS Web ServerVRVS Web Server

1 - Join a VR

H.323 Client H.323 Client

Mbone Client

1- Join a VR

Join a VR

3 - H.323 Call 3 - H.323 Call

4 - Send video/audio to VRVS reflector

R&D : VRVS/H.323 Deployment

Backbone NetworkBackbone NetworkCommunication Communication

in Multicast or Unicast modein Multicast or Unicast mode

VRVS Reflector VRVS Reflector and H.323 and H.323 GatewayGateway

University, LaboratoryUniversity, Laboratoryor Corporate companyor Corporate company

FirewallFirewall

Individual UserIndividual User

Run on the same machine (PC/Linux)Run on the same machine (PC/Linux)or could be on different Machines or could be on different Machines

R&D : H.323 Integration

R&D : MPEG2 deployment(1/2)

Acquisition of Acquisition of MPEG2 Encoder/DecoderMPEG2 Encoder/Decoder boxes. boxes.Support for the Support for the RTPRTP (Real Time Protocol) (Real Time Protocol)Very Very low latencylow latency (around (around 120 ms120 ms for full duplex mode) during for full duplex mode) during

the real-time communication (videoconference).the real-time communication (videoconference).Availability of a Availability of a Video Development ToolkitVideo Development Toolkit (VDK) for (VDK) for

integration with existing applications or with the VRVS integration with existing applications or with the VRVS framework.framework.

Several boxes has been installed at two sites: Several boxes has been installed at two sites: Caltech and Caltech and CERNCERN

Other boxes are available amongOther boxes are available among ESnet sites ESnet sites

Goal : To deploy MPEG2 technology among HENP community. Goal : To deploy MPEG2 technology among HENP community. MPEG2 will provide full TV quality, full frame and full MPEG2 will provide full TV quality, full frame and full

interactivity in a range of 2 to 15 Mbpsinteractivity in a range of 2 to 15 Mbps

MPEG2 deployment plan (2/2)

Integration planIntegration plan of of MPEG2MPEG2 into into VRVS frameworkVRVS framework step 1step 1: Perform and valid : Perform and valid bi-directional point to point and interactivebi-directional point to point and interactive

communication between 2 sitescommunication between 2 sitesCaltech and CERN Caltech and CERN Caltech and Esnet sites Caltech and Esnet sites CERN and ESnet sites CERN and ESnet sites

step 2step 2: adapt/modify VRVS reflector in order to make MPEG2 : adapt/modify VRVS reflector in order to make MPEG2 multipoint multipoint videoconferencingvideoconferencing between 3 or more sites between 3 or more sites

Caltech, CERN and ESnet sitesCaltech, CERN and ESnet sites

step 3step 3: adapt/modify VRVS Web interface and use the MPEG2 development kits : adapt/modify VRVS Web interface and use the MPEG2 development kits in order to initiate MPEG2 videoconference in a in order to initiate MPEG2 videoconference in a “click and start”“click and start” fashion. fashion.

step 4step 4: Use the whole : Use the whole VRVS system and philosophyVRVS system and philosophy (registration, scheduling, (registration, scheduling, etc..) with automatic attribution to the closest reflector and start the conference etc..) with automatic attribution to the closest reflector and start the conference by by just clickingjust clicking after after joining a Virtual Roomjoining a Virtual Room as of today. as of today.

VRVS MPEG2 reflectors(Only video from the speaker is sent to MPEG2 clients

and the current speaker still receives video/audio from the previous one)

R&D : MPEG2 deployment

VNP MPEG2 box

LLNL

VNP MPEG2 box

CERN

VNP MPEG2 box

LNBL

Instance of MPEG2 Instance of MPEG2 topology already tested.topology already tested.

Video: 2.0 MbpsVideo: 2.0 Mbps

Audio: 224 Kbps stereoAudio: 224 Kbps stereo

VNP MPEG2 box

Caltech

R&D : MPEG2 deployment

No limitation No limitation of cascading numbers of reflectorsof cascading numbers of reflectors No limitation No limitation of number of participants or parallel of number of participants or parallel

conferencesconferences. . The limitation will be only the network.The limitation will be only the network.

Optimize Optimize calling process for by passingcalling process for by passing firewall issues. firewall issues. Possibility to have Possibility to have muticast/unicastmuticast/unicast between reflectors between reflectors

and and multicast/unicastmulticast/unicast between the client and the between the client and the reflectorreflector..

Possibility for the H.323 and MPEG2 clients to:Possibility for the H.323 and MPEG2 clients to: See the video See the video from the speaker onlyfrom the speaker only See all video from See all video from allall the participants in a the participants in a round robin wayround robin way

following following a specified timera specified timer See See ONLYONLY the video from one the video from one selected participantselected participant even if he is even if he is

not the speakernot the speaker See See all videoall video using vic application or Java Media Framework using vic application or Java Media Framework

(only H.323)(only H.323)

R&D : H.323 and MPEG2 VRVS new features

VNC (Virtual Network Computer) technology VNC (Virtual Network Computer) technology integrated inintegrated in VRVS.VRVS.

Possibility to share thePossibility to share the working desktop working desktop betweenbetween several several participants. participants. We have 2 differentWe have 2 different modes:modes: Broadcast modeBroadcast mode: The desktop is seen by all the : The desktop is seen by all the

participants but remote participants cannot control it.participants but remote participants cannot control it. Full shared modeFull shared mode: All the participants see and can control : All the participants see and can control

the shared desktop (mouse, keyboard,.)the shared desktop (mouse, keyboard,.) NeedNeed VNC server application VNC server application running in the machine in running in the machine in

order to be able to make the desktop sharable.order to be able to make the desktop sharable. On the Client side, On the Client side, No application neededNo application needed. A . A Java appletJava applet

is download from the is download from the Web serverWeb server. . Client isClient is Web-based Web-based and Multi-platform.and Multi-platform.

R&D : Sharing Desktop (1/2)

R&D : Sharing Desktop

VNC technology integrated in VRVSVNC technology integrated in VRVS

Examples

LEPC broadcastLEPC broadcast from CERN (November 9,1999) from CERN (November 9,1999) 35 participants35 participants connected via VRVS (ex. QuickTime Player) connected via VRVS (ex. QuickTime Player)

Examples

GLASTGLAST meeting meeting 10 participants connected via VRVS (and 16 participants in Audio only)10 participants connected via VRVS (and 16 participants in Audio only)

Some Conclusions

VRVS is now a VRVS is now a production systemproduction system with more than with more than 3458 3458 registered host computersregistered host computers located in more than 50 located in more than 50 countries. countries.

VRVS is highly VRVS is highly scalablescalable and need a and need a minimum a of minimum a of supportsupport to organize multi-point collaborative sessions. to organize multi-point collaborative sessions. All the set-up and configuration are done All the set-up and configuration are done automaticallyautomatically..

VRVS VRVS supportssupports all the types of videoconferencing all the types of videoconferencing; from ; from the the Mbone Mbone oror the the H.323 applications H.323 applications to a very high video to a very high video and audio quality like and audio quality like MPEG2;MPEG2;

The The user interface user interface andand VRVS philosophy VRVS philosophy are theare the same same independently ofindependently of the videoconference type. the videoconference type.

In addition to the video and audio media,In addition to the video and audio media, VRVS offers VRVS offers others services others services during the collaborative sessionduring the collaborative session like like shared application or desktop, Chat, synchronized Web shared application or desktop, Chat, synchronized Web browsing, remote camera control.browsing, remote camera control.

Demonstration

Demonstration of the VRVS system on Demonstration of the VRVS system on going at the going at the I2 Demonstration areaI2 Demonstration area

Visit the booth to see Visit the booth to see real-time multi-real-time multi-point conferencespoint conferences (Mbone, H.323 and (Mbone, H.323 and MPEG2) and get more details MPEG2) and get more details information.information.

Questions ?

Philippe GalvezPhilippe GalvezCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCalifornia Institute of Technology

Philippe.Galvez@cern.chPhilippe.Galvez@cern.ch