Videoconferencing @ CERN: Plans to the future

Joao FernandesIT-UDS-AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

ObjectiveObjective

Following an internal discussion and Following an internal discussion and considering the last RTAG 12 report, one considering the last RTAG 12 report, one finds a large and growing gap between LHC finds a large and growing gap between LHC requirements and the current available requirements and the current available collaborative facilities at CERNcollaborative facilities at CERN

Objective:Objective: Correct and invert this situation Correct and invert this situation by turning CERN videoconference rooms in by turning CERN videoconference rooms in High- Quality collaborative endpointsHigh- Quality collaborative endpoints

UDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Current Status (I)Current Status (I) 16 rooms/auditoria installed16 rooms/auditoria installed

- 7 H.323 Polycom7 H.323 Polycom endpoint based endpoint based - 9 PC based9 PC based ( with old obsolete H.323/IDSN client software) ( with old obsolete H.323/IDSN client software)- 4! more projected 4! more projected (H.323 based):(H.323 based):

- CMS TrackerCMS Tracker in Bldg. 28; in Bldg. 28; 40-RB-1040-RB-10 also requested by CMS also requested by CMS- TOTEM roomTOTEM room in Bldg. 555 in Bldg. 555- AB division roomAB division room request in Prevessin request in Prevessin

Both point2point and multipoint Both point2point and multipoint videoconferencevideoconference- VRVS/EVOVRVS/EVO ( ~ 80% of the total meetings) ( ~ 80% of the total meetings)- point2point and point2point and ESnet MCUESnet MCU (20%) (20%)- ISDN multipoint disappeared; ISDN point2point almostISDN multipoint disappeared; ISDN point2point almost- HERMES serviceHERMES service in production since Jan 06 in production since Jan 06

Manpower at UDS-AVCManpower at UDS-AVC- 1 FTE (20%)1 FTE (20%)- 1 technical staff retiring soon1 technical staff retiring soon- 1 Outsourced Data-aid for assistance to users in VC rooms- 1 Caltech Project Associate responsible for VRVS/EVO production and 1 Caltech Project Associate responsible for VRVS/EVO production and

integrationintegrationUDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Current Status (II)Current Status (II)

Meetings Number for HEP Collaborations up to Jan 31Meetings Number for HEP Collaborations up to Jan 31stst, 2006 (, 2006 (VRVS onlyVRVS only))Collaboration (keyword)Collaboration (keyword) 20042004 20052005

CMSCMS 758758 16761676ATLASATLAS 336336 357357LHCLHC 339339 400400

GLASTGLAST 216216 364364D0D0 467467 251251

PHOBOSPHOBOS 218218 225225CLEOCLEO 193193 189189KOPIOKOPIO 119119 150150ALICEALICE 4646 129129

*2 weekly meetings a year would represent roughly 100 meetings!**Computing, Networking and Grid projects (i. e. EGEE) not taken into account on the table

Some statistics Some statistics ((based on meeting keyword title))

current resources are not increased for more current resources are not increased for more than 4 years! than 4 years!

Insufficient for the upcoming needs and major facility upgrade!Insufficient for the upcoming needs and major facility upgrade!UDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Our Dream (I)Our Dream (I)

GOAL:GOAL:Turn CERN videoconference rooms inTurn CERN videoconference rooms in High-Quality Collaborative High-Quality Collaborative

EndpointsEndpoints, , Self-ServiceSelf-Service with awith a Simple SetupSimple Setup

As result, reduce at the minimum the operator interventionAs result, reduce at the minimum the operator intervention

Video & Audio conference (1)Video & Audio conference (1)- Find an integrated and simple solutionFind an integrated and simple solution- H.323 based with SIP supportH.323 based with SIP support- Full compatibility with the multipoint platforms used at CERN Full compatibility with the multipoint platforms used at CERN

((VRVS/EVOVRVS/EVO, , EsNet MCUEsNet MCU and the new and the new HERMES MCU serviceHERMES MCU service))- One unique integrated solutionOne unique integrated solution for video, audio and data sharing for video, audio and data sharing- The same unique solutionThe same unique solution for phone conference (collaboration for phone conference (collaboration

with CS group for PABX usage for phone conference)with CS group for PABX usage for phone conference)

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Our Dream (II)Our Dream (II)

Automate the most the videoconference Automate the most the videoconference room equipment (2)room equipment (2)- CMFCMF for the room NICE PCs for the room NICE PCs- Acquisition of a framework for endpoint management (TMS Acquisition of a framework for endpoint management (TMS

from Tandberg under study)from Tandberg under study)- for endpoint management (central software update, troubleshooting, for endpoint management (central software update, troubleshooting, etc.)etc.)- monitoring, booking and monitoring, booking and StatisticsStatistics- Good flexibility (Webservices API) and possibility to manage almost Good flexibility (Webservices API) and possibility to manage almost any device that understands SNMPany device that understands SNMP

- Investigate the integration possibilities of this framework with Investigate the integration possibilities of this framework with the relevant CERN systems (Indico Outlook)the relevant CERN systems (Indico Outlook)

- Include also local projection equipment in the automation when Include also local projection equipment in the automation when relevantrelevant

UDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Our Dream (III)Our Dream (III)

Focus on the local facility (3)Focus on the local facility (3)- Investigate the recommendations from vendors for local acoustic Investigate the recommendations from vendors for local acoustic

and lightning conditions (may include carpeting, painting, etc.)and lightning conditions (may include carpeting, painting, etc.)- Compulsory local equipment (NICE PC, 2 projectors or Compulsory local equipment (NICE PC, 2 projectors or

LCD/Plasma screens)LCD/Plasma screens)- NICE PC compulsory for data sharing in all the collaborative NICE PC compulsory for data sharing in all the collaborative

platformsplatforms- has to be seen as part of the endpoint core setup; placed where users has to be seen as part of the endpoint core setup; placed where users can really use it!can really use it!

- Possibility of having the audio system integrated with codec Possibility of having the audio system integrated with codec endpoint to significantly reduce the efforts of endpoint to significantly reduce the efforts of installation/integration in the local facilityinstallation/integration in the local facility- up to now there is a significant effort of installation/integration by the up to now there is a significant effort of installation/integration by the technicians technicians as a consequence of purchasing the videoconference stations as a consequence of purchasing the videoconference stations and peripherals (projectors, auxiliary cameras, etc. ) each from the and peripherals (projectors, auxiliary cameras, etc. ) each from the cheapest providercheapest provider..

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Extension to Related ActivitiesExtension to Related Activities

Desktop VCDesktop VC- Investigate the video/audio hardware solutions on the market Investigate the video/audio hardware solutions on the market - Testing of videoconference desktop clients/applicationsTesting of videoconference desktop clients/applications- Standardize the obtained results and distribute it in CERN storesStandardize the obtained results and distribute it in CERN stores- Centrally support the chosen standard Centrally support the chosen standard (for Windows, Linux and (for Windows, Linux and

Mac)Mac)

AudioconferenceAudioconference- Find an unique solution for videoconference and phone Find an unique solution for videoconference and phone

conferenceconference- Close collaboration with IT/CS PABX serviceClose collaboration with IT/CS PABX service

WebcastWebcast- Study of the replacement/improvement of the existing CERN Study of the replacement/improvement of the existing CERN

webcasting infrastructurewebcasting infrastructureUDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

New PlanNew Plan

CERN PABX service

H.323

H.323

H.323 or SIP

Point2point MessengerMessenger

PSTN

CERN Integrated Collaborative Facility

(Audio, Video & Data sharing)

HERMES, EsNet or other H.323 MCU

services

SIP

VRVS/EVO

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

What we are already doing (I)What we are already doing (I)

Forming RCTF (Remote Collaboration Task Forming RCTF (Remote Collaboration Task Force) with the representatives of the Force) with the representatives of the ExperimentsExperiments- Financial support neededFinancial support needed- Manpower neededManpower needed- Discussion of the direction to takeDiscussion of the direction to take

Close contact with the main vendors in the Close contact with the main vendors in the market (Tandberg, Polycom and Aethra)market (Tandberg, Polycom and Aethra)- detailed analysis of the endpoint proposalsdetailed analysis of the endpoint proposals- find a solution that meets the quality of service needed and the find a solution that meets the quality of service needed and the

budget limitations for each case, taking into account the budget limitations for each case, taking into account the requirements establishedrequirements established

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

What we are already doing (II)What we are already doing (II)

Technical specification for standard roomTechnical specification for standard room- First Target room refurbished (Atlas 40-4C) will be ready at the First Target room refurbished (Atlas 40-4C) will be ready at the

end of April 2006end of April 2006- Test and validate the selected model (1-3 moths period time to Test and validate the selected model (1-3 moths period time to

“try before buy”)“try before buy”)

Testing of Desktop VC equipmentTesting of Desktop VC equipment- Major HW improvements have been done the last few months Major HW improvements have been done the last few months

pushed by the VoiceOverIP market (ex. Skype and others)pushed by the VoiceOverIP market (ex. Skype and others)- List of recommended Desktop VC hardware List of recommended Desktop VC hardware

(webcams/headsets) and software clients (Polycom PVX) (webcams/headsets) and software clients (Polycom PVX) already sent to CERN storesalready sent to CERN stores

- Hardware recommended for all the platforms (Windows, Linux Hardware recommended for all the platforms (Windows, Linux and Mac)and Mac)

- New New USB computer speakerphonesUSB computer speakerphones with echo cancellation and with echo cancellation and noise suppression tested with very good results (also a very noise suppression tested with very good results (also a very good alternative for small rooms)good alternative for small rooms)

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

What should be the next steps (I)What should be the next steps (I)

Make the same technical preliminary Make the same technical preliminary approach for auditoriaapproach for auditoria- Audio in general is the most critical partAudio in general is the most critical part- Audio setups are necessarily different for larger rooms and Audio setups are necessarily different for larger rooms and

further testing is neededfurther testing is needed

Adopt a management framework flexible, Adopt a management framework flexible, scalable and of easy integrationscalable and of easy integration- to finally have a consistent tool for overall management and to finally have a consistent tool for overall management and

statisticsstatistics- Evaluate the integration scenarios with CERN systemsEvaluate the integration scenarios with CERN systems

Start endpoint test with PABX systemStart endpoint test with PABX system- To find an unique system for both video and audio conferenceTo find an unique system for both video and audio conference- In general increase the collaboration with IT/CS In general increase the collaboration with IT/CS

UDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

Next Steps (II)Next Steps (II)

Provide Indico with a integrated room Provide Indico with a integrated room bookingbooking facilityfacility- VRVS/EVO booking APIVRVS/EVO booking API already included; already included; HERMES booking APIHERMES booking API

in development; in development; CERN PABXCERN PABX integration also projected integration also projected- in the future replace CRBS by an Indico Module for room in the future replace CRBS by an Indico Module for room

bookingbooking

Review all the online documentationReview all the online documentation- standardization with IT website made at the end of 2005standardization with IT website made at the end of 2005

Tutorials for the new systems when in placeTutorials for the new systems when in place- not only for users but also for the internal staff and room not only for users but also for the internal staff and room

operatorsoperators- Provide dynamic and intuitive Tutorials (using Camtasia Tool)Provide dynamic and intuitive Tutorials (using Camtasia Tool)

UDS - AVCUDS - AVC

1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

ConclusionsConclusions

Collaborative tools start to be a topic of Collaborative tools start to be a topic of growing importancegrowing importance- CERN situation starts to be CERN situation starts to be criticalcritical - People starts to realize that CERN collaborative tools have to People starts to realize that CERN collaborative tools have to

be prioritizedbe prioritized

CERN facilities refurbishment costs!CERN facilities refurbishment costs!- Probably not significant when compared to LHC collaborations Probably not significant when compared to LHC collaborations

costs due to absence or inadequacy of facilitiescosts due to absence or inadequacy of facilities- A A Major UpgradeMajor Upgrade needs both needs both financial and manpower financial and manpower

resourcesresources

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

FutureFuture

What should be the future of remote What should be the future of remote collaboration?collaboration?

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1st RCTF Meeting – 21st March 2006

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Questions?