Gary A. Roediger, H. A. Kippenhan, Jr., William P. Lidinsky
HEP Network Resource Center at Fermilab
Abstract
The HEP Network Resource Center (HEPNRC) at Fermilab and the Collider
Detector Facility (CDF) collaboration have evolved a flexible,
cost-effective, widely accessible videoconferencing system for use by
high energy physics collaborations and others wishing to use
videoconferencing. No current systems seemed to fully meet the needs
of high energy physics collaborations. However, two classes of
videoconferencing technology: circuit-switched and packet-switched, if
integrated, might encompass most of HEP's needs. It was also realized
that, even with this integration, some additional functions were needed
and some of the existing functions were not always wanted. HEPNRC with
the help of members of the CDF collaboration set out to develop such an
integrated system using as many existing subsystems and components as
possible. This system is called VUPAC (Videoconferencing Using PAckets
and Circuits).
This paper begins with brief descriptions of the circuit-switched and packet-switched videoconferencing systems. Following this, issues and limitations of these systems are considered. Next the VUPAC system is described. Integration is accomplished primarily by a circuit/packet videoconferencing interface. Augmentation is centered in another subsystem called MSB (Multiport multiSession Bridge). Finally, there is a discussion of the future work needed in the evolution of this system.
Submitter's Name: William P. Lidinsky
Submitter's EMAIL address: lidinsky@hep.net
Address of Institution: Fermilab, PO Box 500, Batavia, IL 60510, USA
Submitter's Telephone nubmer and/or FAX number: +1 708-840-8067, fax
+1 708 840 8463
Authors of the Paper each with Institution:
Gary A. Roediger, HEP Network Resource Center at Fermilab
H. A. Kippenhan, Jr., HEP Network Resource Center at Fermilab
William P. Lidinsky, HEP Network Resource Center at Fermilab