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KIWI ADVANCED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORK
Video conferencing series
From KAREN wiki
This page is full of resources and tidbits from previous KAREN community video conferences. These REANNZ and community led events are open to all KAREN members and any other interested parties.
How to participate
These events are held via the KAREN video conferencing bridge. For full details on how to access to the bridge visit the Advanced Video Conferencing site
Looking for upcoming events? Visit the KAREN events calendar
Past events
eScience Showcase: Genomics
May 27, 2009
Presented by:
- Dr. Chris Brown, University of Otago
- Dr. Michael Black, University of Otago
- Nick Jones, BeSTGRID
Resarchers at the University of Otago are leading a project to create KAREN-enabled tools to support the genomics community in New Zealand. The project leaders discussed the tools that they have developed and the grid services they have used in building these resources for genomic research. Please contact Nick Jones if you have any questions about the BeSTGRID workshops.
Participants 12 Ports and 25 streamers
- Plant and Food Research, Mt.Albert
- University of Otago, Dunedin
- Landcare Research,Palmerston North
- ESR, Porirua
- Scion, Rotorua
- Victoria University
- University of Auckland
- Lincoln University
- University of Canterbury
- 14 streaming participants
- 11 content channel participants
- Estimated total audience: 50
Advanced Video Collaboration Centre for KAREN Champions
May 12, 2009
Nathan Gardiner, Advanced Video Collaboration Centre
- What is AVCC?
- Structure
- Services offered
- New look website
- Online resources
- Goals for 2009
- Conference in Oct/Nov 2009
- For further information please follow this link AVCC Helpdesk
Participants
- Scion
- ESR
- AUT
- University of Waikato
- University of Auckland
- REANNZ
- University of Canterbury
eScience Showcase
April 29, 2009 -Presented by
- Dr. Robert Gibb, Landcare Research, SCENZ-GRID Project
- Dr. Brent Gilpin, ESR, New Zealand PulseNet Portal
- Dr. Laura Fagan, Plant and Food Research, Real-Time Remote Diagnostics for Biosecurity Applications
Screenshots
Dr.Robert Gibb, Landcare Research
MoRST
Dr.Brent Gilpin, ESR
Dr. Laura Fagan, Plant and Food Research
Wintec
Plant and Food, Lincoln University
All 12 ports used, 8 streaming viewers, 3 content channel viewers
Participants
- Landcare Research Palmerston North
- Plant and Food Lincoln
- Landcare Research Hamilton
- Landcare Research Wakirikiri
- University of Canterbury
- Scion Rotorua
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Ministry of Research Science and Technology
- Research and Education Network New Zealand
- AUT
- ESR Christchurch
- Lincoln University
Summary and notes to follow
- Dr. Robert Gibb, Landcare Research, SCENZ-GRID Project
- Dr. Brent Gilpin, ESR, New Zealand PulseNet Portal
- Dr. Laura Fagan, Plant and Food Research, Real-Time Remote Diagnostics for Biosecurity Applications
We reviewed the web-based technologies currently available for remote microscopy, and conducted detailed tests of four systems: EVO, Mirial, WebEx and Nikon. Standardised tests were designed to measure the image resolution (sharpness), colour resolution and latency (time delay) implicit in each system. These, together with actual diagnostic challenges, were tested between research organisations connected to the Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN) within New Zealand, from New Zealand to Australia, and from New Zealand to Canada. Specific usability issues were identified for each of the four systems tested, and protocols were developed to allow ecologists to easily adopt appropriate real-time remote diagnostic microscopy systems. For those interested in learning more or working in a similar area who wish to collaborate further please contact Laura Fagan. E-mail: faganl@crop.cri.nz or phone: 03 325-9627.
How to run a video conference
Presented by Richard Bishop, February 11 2009
Participants
- Landcare Research Lincoln
- Massey University Wellington
- University of Auckland
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago Christchurch
- University of Otago Dunedin
- University of the Phillipines
- University of Waikato
- Scion
- MoRST Ministry of Research Science and Technology
- 13 Streaming participants
This conference used the whole 12 port capacity of the KAREN Bridge. In the future we will schedule spillover capacity with the Australian advanced network, AARNET.
Content
- Part 1 How to run a video conference
- Part 2 Desktop video conferencing with Mirial and EVO
- Part 3 Questions
Screenshots
Richard Bishop
REANNZ
VC Key Rules
Mirial Softphone
KAREN Bridge 3x3 Multi-Party View
Meeting Room View
KAREN Bridge Boardroom View
How to run a good conference
Presented by Richard Bishop, December 12 2008
Rules for Video Conferencing
- Test,test,test
- You only see half the picture
- Audio is the key
- Meeting organisation
- Call etiquette
- VC is only a tool
An overview of Bluefern HPC on KAREN
December 10 2008
Participants
- University of Canterbury
- University of Otago
- University of Waikato
- REANNZ
Summary The presentation gave an overview of the history of Bluefern in New Zealand, an outline of some projects that have used Bluefern, and a brief explanation for how to use Bluefern in you research.
Examples of projects
- IRL advanced materials modeling
- Australian National University human prion protein research
- Platypus genome mapping
- Scion Analysis of 2 million wood scans for the Wood Quality Institute
- Heterogeneous Computing
- ESR Modeling the effects of septic tanks on ground water
Contacts: Peter.Helms@canterbury.ac.nz
- Market the next version of this presentation to specific research groups. Brainstorm ideas with Bluefern. They plan to broadcast their oncampus HPC seminars over KAREN so that interested parties will be able to join in.
HD Video Conferencing Endpoints
Presented by Ian Darby, December 3 2008
Participants:
- Massey University
- University of Canterbury
- Scion
- Lincoln University
- Ian Darby Agile
- REANNZ
- University of Waikato
- Landcare
- 2 via streaming unknown
- Why use video conferencing tools
- Strategic collaboration tool-ROI in less than a year, drives productivity
- Video Conferencing technology is ready for prime time-network bandwidth and hardware budgets are the only limitation
- Obstacles to using video conferencing
- Lack of knowledge about visual communication
- Difficulties accessing equipment
- Lack of user training
- Lack of committment to video conferencing
- No measurements of tangible benefits
- No visual communication Champion or Super User
Getting people to use video conferencing is the biggest challenge. It has taken Agile 12 months to train its board members to use video conferencing for their meetings.
- Key Components of Video Conferencing Infrastructure
- Management Software
- Connectivity- Internal and External
- Gateway
- Expressway
- Gatekeeper
- Multipoint Conferencing
- provides connectivity regardless of the devices used-64kb to 10meg
- Desktop devices are usually limited to 3 or 4 collaborators so may not be the solution for large groups of collaborators 10 plus, etc
- Integrating Video Conferencing into other applications
- Schedule Exchange Server
- Microsoft OCS-instant messaging server/desktop video embedded im
- Web Conferencing
- Keys to Successful Video Conferencing
- Usage and adoption
- Simplicity and connectivity
- Implement as a tool to facilitate natural communication in your organisation and at home through:
- Telepresence-set up a virtual conference room
- Desktop-currently in high demand- 50% of the market
- Types of Video Conferencing Endpoints
- Desktop
- Small, medium and large meeting room sized systems
The Current State of BeSTGRID
Prsented by Nick Jones, University of Auckland, November 26 2008
- Participants
- University of Auckland
- MoRST
- Lincoln University
- University of Waikato
- REANNZ
- Scion
- NIWA
- Invermay
- Video Streaming-7 unknown
- Presentation Outline
Introduction- Modern Science requires a data infrastructure
- Nature of modern science
- eResearch
- eResearch in NZ
- Challenges
Research is global-98% of papers are published outside New Zealand
Problems
- Access
- Repeatability
- Complexity
- Compatability
BeSTGRID
- Funded by MoRST NZ $2.5 million pilot from TEC 2006-2008
- Build eResearch skill base
- Build eResearch infrastructure
- Datagrid/Database storage
- Computational services
- eResearch tools-video conferencing, virtual collaboration tools
Different types of scientific research require different types of computer architecture
Goals
- Collaborate
- Build/support unmet science gateway and grid needs
Successes
- First grid infrastructure in New Zealand
- First federated and identity access management in New Zealand IMAGER
- Recognition by MoRST of the need to support eResearch
- Increasing Trans-Tasman collaboration
The future
- Identity and access management
- eResearch policy development and awareness
- Interoperability between New Zealand and Australian grid infrastructure
- Look at investment level
- Develop future eResearcher
- Build on existing international linkages
What we have
- A high speed data network- KAREN
What we need to do
- Keep better records of research data
- Enable more effective collaboration between experts in New Zealand and Internationally
- Interoperate products and services
- Improved public and education access to science information and services
- New Zealand researchers need to become good at eResearch
- Help New Zealand Scientists remain in New Zealand
- Promote efficiencies in sceince process
- Create a culture of sharing in science
Questions from participants
- How do we solve our record storage issue?
- How can we access BeSTGRID's services?
- Could we have a practical demonstration of how to access some of these BeSTGRID services?
- Is database indexing the next step?
- How to we define data storage protocols?
Video conferencing basics
Presented by Dr. Julia Charity from Scion, REANNZ, and Nathan Gardiner from the University of Canterbury, November 19 2008
This event explored Scion's successes in increasing video conferencing usage across the organisation and a discussion about desktop video conferencing solutions. Particpants included the University of Waikato, GNS, Lincoln University, Massey University, Agile, the University of Canterbury dept of social science, and ESR.
Summary Points: Dr. Julia Charity
- Investment in hardware and support from senior management is critical to successful video conferencing
- Scion has invested in two dedicated video conferencing rooms, one large for 50K and one small for 15K
- It is essential to have a dedicated video conferencing room
- In the future they will build a desktop video conferencing booth which is designed to make new users feel more comfortable
Support from IT is vital
- Support for an online booking system and all applications made users feel comfortable to use Scion's equipment regularly
- IT also created supporting guides with pictures and powerpoints
How to encourage usage
- Look at existing vc usage on the KAREN bridge or equipment logs. Ask existing users to turn some of their existing 1-2 hour meetings into video conferences. Ask them to encourgage others to use video conferencing.
- Hold seminars in video conferencing rooms so that interested staff who are at other sites or traveling are to participate.
- Make a collaboration list of researchers to target for video conferencing usage.
- Talk to regular travelers about using the video conferencing suite.
- Find out if there are student supervisor meetings that could take place using video conferencing. Check payroll for this.
- Job interviews may be done using video conferencing.
- Important company meetings may be attended by absent senior staff through video conferencing even if it means using a private end point.
- Set up a web cam in a laboratory to share ideas about an experiment.
- Positive word of mouth helps spread usage.
- Mention video conferencing in organisation newsletters.
- Establish a user friendly video conferencing booth or kiosk.
- Nathan Gardiner
Desktop Video Conferencing
- Do you need standard or high definition?
- Most desktop video conferencing tools are flexible and interoperable
- Common types include
- Mirial
- EVO
- Vpoint
- Evaluate on the basis of ease of use
- Do you have the correct hardware? Dual core processor, etc
National Video Conferencing Service Discussion
November 12
Representatives from REANNZ, MoRST, and the University of Canterbury met to discuss the National Video Conferencing Service Centre. Proposals include creating an IP Directory for video conferencing endpoints and support documents for at least 5 types of desktop and room based video conferencing endpoints. The centre will serve the Universities and Crown Research Institutes. Bids to host the centre are now closed and the successful applicant will begin phase 1 of the centre in January, 2009.
Currently, the only 5 applications widely used by members are:
- Access Grid
- H.323 High definiton video
- EVO
- Mirial softphone
- Adobe Connect
REANNZ recently tested the Emblaze VCON Vpoint HD software and a review is available at this link Emblaze software review
Obstacles to video conferencing use included:
- Lack of tech support, especially for access grids
- Lack if information campaign and marketing support
- Lack of national video conferencing standards
- Limited budgets for new video conferencing hardware
- Lack of training to use endpoints
- Lack of an endpoint directory to locate potential collaborators
- Lack of interoperability between video endpoints
- Lack technical support for outdated VC endpoints
Ideally, the National Video Conferencing Centre will solve some of these problems.
A proposal was also made to draw up a criteria for each members to comply to make their endpoint Quality Assured and Certified. This may revolve around compliance with international VC standards (ITU-T, etc) as well as those set by the Central support centre.
Questions that remain
- How will the Polytechnics be served?
- How will schools handle their video conferencing service needs?
KAREN Video Conferencing Bridge testing
With Lincoln University, November 12 2008
High performance computing
Led by Acting Vice Chancellor Ian Town, University of Canterbury, September 26 2008
Six participants, the majority of which were trying to connect from desktop clients. Content covered included high performance computing and desktop client access.
Summary points:
- Tony Dale of the University of Canterbury is available to answer questions about how to prepare your data for processing by BlueJean or another supercomputer tony.dale@canterbury.ac.nz. Tony demonstrated the transfer of research files using FileZilla from user files to the BlueJean supercomputer.
- EVO's integration with H323 protocols (that supported by the KAREN VC bridge and "commercial" VC end-points) is immature and unreliable under usage. More understanding of what configuration is needed to work with the bridge. Currently, REANNZ is researching the status of development in this area to see of there are solutions on how to fine tune the EVO configuration to work with the KAREN Bridge. After finding the solution we will upload it to the AVCC website and notify Champions. KAREN VC Service
- REANNZ will post informal "star" ratings for video conference desmtop software such as Mirial Softphone, EVO etc with explanations for the ratings.
- KAREN Champion projects will accelerate in early 2009, check the projects by member with the links below. Staffing and programs are now in place across most participating members.
- Check the AVCC website for the latest KAREN Bridge tips and tricks. We are regularly updating the website to include useful information about how to use the service. AVCC
- All members are encouraged to test your video endpoint with REANNZ, we can help you find the best configuration.
- The software update for the KAREN Bridge, IPVCR and the ISDN gateway, took place last Friday, September 19 to improve the capabilities of the vc equipment.
