Videoconferencing CERN Plans to the future Joao Fernandes

Videoconferencing @ CERN: Plans to the future Joao Fernandes IT-UDS-AVC

Objective § Following an internal discussion and considering the last RTAG 12 report, one finds a large and growing gap between LHC requirements and the current available collaborative facilities at CERN § Objective: Correct and invert this situation by turning CERN videoconference rooms in High. Quality collaborative endpoints UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Current Status (I) § 16 rooms/auditoria installed - 7 H. 323 Polycom endpoint based 9 PC based ( with old obsolete H. 323/IDSN client software) 4! more projected (H. 323 based): - CMS Tracker in Bldg. 28; 40 -RB-10 also requested by CMS - TOTEM room in Bldg. 555 - AB division room request in Prevessin § Both point 2 point and multipoint videoconference - VRVS/EVO ( ~ 80% of the total meetings) point 2 point and ESnet MCU (20%) ISDN multipoint disappeared; ISDN point 2 point almost HERMES service in production since Jan 06 § Manpower at UDS-AVC - UDS - AVC 1 FTE (20%) 1 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 integration 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Current Status (II) § Some statistics (based on meeting keyword title) Meetings Number for HEP Collaborations up to Jan 31 st, 2006 (VRVS only) Collaboration (keyword) 2004 2005 CMS 758 1676 ATLAS 336 357 LHC 339 400 GLAST 216 364 D 0 467 251 PHOBOS 218 225 CLEO 193 189 KOPIO 119 150 ALICE 46 129 *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 § current resources are not increased for more than 4 years! Insufficient for the upcoming needs and major facility upgrade! UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Our Dream (I) GOAL: Turn CERN videoconference rooms in High-Quality Collaborative Endpoints, Self-Service with a Simple Setup As result, reduce at the minimum the operator intervention § Video & Audio conference (1) - Find an integrated and simple solution H. 323 based with SIP support Full compatibility with the multipoint platforms used at CERN ( VRVS/EVO, Es. Net MCU and the new HERMES MCU service) One unique integrated solution for video, audio and data sharing The same unique solution for phone conference (collaboration with CS group for PABX usage for phone conference) UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Our Dream (II) § Automate the most the videoconference room equipment (2) - CMF for the room NICE PCs Acquisition of a framework for endpoint management (TMS from Tandberg under study) - for endpoint management (central software update, troubleshooting, etc. ) - UDS - AVC - monitoring, booking and Statistics - Good flexibility (Webservices API) and possibility to manage almost any device that understands SNMP Investigate the integration possibilities of this framework with the relevant CERN systems (Indico Outlook) Include also local projection equipment in the automation when relevant 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Our Dream (III) § Focus on the local facility (3) - Investigate the recommendations from vendors for local acoustic and lightning conditions (may include carpeting, painting, etc. ) Compulsory local equipment (NICE PC, 2 projectors or LCD/Plasma screens) NICE PC compulsory for data sharing in all the collaborative platforms - has to be seen as part of the endpoint core setup; placed where users can really use it! Possibility of having the audio system integrated with codec endpoint to significantly reduce the efforts of installation/integration in the local facility - up to now there is a significant effort of installation/integration by the technicians as a consequence of purchasing the videoconference stations and peripherals (projectors, auxiliary cameras, etc. ) each from the cheapest provider. UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Extension to Related Activities § Desktop VC - Investigate the video/audio hardware solutions on the market Testing of videoconference desktop clients/applications Standardize the obtained results and distribute it in CERN stores Centrally support the chosen standard (for Windows, Linux and Mac) § Audioconference - Find an unique solution for videoconference and phone conference Close collaboration with IT/CS PABX service § Webcast - Study of the replacement/improvement of the existing CERN webcasting infrastructure UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

New Plan H. 323 or SIP Point 2 point Messenger VRVS/EVO H. 323 SIP CERN Integrated Collaborative Facility HERMES, Es. Net or other H. 323 MCU services (Audio, Video & Data sharing) CERN PABX service UDS - AVC PSTN 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

What we are already doing (I) § Forming RCTF (Remote Collaboration Task Force) with the representatives of the Experiments - Financial support needed Manpower needed Discussion of the direction to take § Close contact with the main vendors in the market (Tandberg, Polycom and Aethra) - UDS - AVC detailed analysis of the endpoint proposals find a solution that meets the quality of service needed and the budget limitations for each case, taking into account the requirements established 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

What we are already doing (II) § Technical specification for standard room - First Target room refurbished (Atlas 40 -4 C) will be ready at the end of April 2006 Test and validate the selected model (1 -3 moths period time to “try before buy”) § Testing of Desktop VC equipment - UDS - AVC Major HW improvements have been done the last few months pushed by the Voice. Over. IP market (ex. Skype and others) List of recommended Desktop VC hardware (webcams/headsets) and software clients (Polycom PVX) already sent to CERN stores Hardware recommended for all the platforms (Windows, Linux and Mac) New USB computer speakerphones with echo cancellation and noise suppression tested with very good results (also a very good alternative for small rooms) 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

What should be the next steps (I) § Make the same technical preliminary approach for auditoria - Audio in general is the most critical part Audio setups are necessarily different for larger rooms and further testing is needed § Adopt a management framework flexible, scalable and of easy integration - to finally have a consistent tool for overall management and statistics Evaluate the integration scenarios with CERN systems § Start endpoint test with PABX system - UDS - AVC To find an unique system for both video and audio conference In general increase the collaboration with IT/CS 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Next Steps (II) § Provide Indico with a integrated room booking facility - VRVS/EVO booking API already included; HERMES booking API in development; CERN PABX integration also projected in the future replace CRBS by an Indico Module for room booking § Review all the online documentation - standardization with IT website made at the end of 2005 § Tutorials for the new systems when in place - UDS - AVC not only for users but also for the internal staff and room operators Provide dynamic and intuitive Tutorials (using Camtasia Tool) 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Conclusions § Collaborative tools start to be a topic of growing importance - CERN situation starts to be critical People starts to realize that CERN collaborative tools have to be prioritized § CERN facilities refurbishment costs! - UDS - AVC Probably not significant when compared to LHC collaborations costs due to absence or inadequacy of facilities A Major Upgrade needs both financial and manpower resources 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Future What should be the future of remote collaboration? UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006

Questions? UDS - AVC 1 st RCTF Meeting – 21 st March 2006