[AG-TECH] Small Scale Node

[Christoph Willing]

For AG1 style, we have had an operational single machine node since
early 2002. It runs Linux and has 3 cams & audio and 4 vga outputs (3
projected + console). It is the built according to the HOWTO at
http://www.accessgrid.org/agdp/howto/linux-node.html, which describes a
construction method scalable from 1 to as many machines that you want.

Up till now, the limitation of the Linux implementation has been the
need for another Windows machine to run DPPT and the Gentner control
software. We have just solved that problem this week so there's no
documentation yet, but feel free to email me directly about it.

Briefly, the single Linux machine runs a virtual machine with Win2K
inside it, i.e the one physical machine has 2 operating systems running
simultaneously (NOT dual boot). Yesterday we successfully tested DPPT
(both as master and client site) with a node in another state. This
morning, I've just made some adjustments to the Gentner using AP-Ware
from the Linux box.

The all Linux system (single and multiple machines) is well proven; all
the operational room size nodes in Australia use the all-Linux
construction method (the only exceptions being one which uses OpenBSD,
the other using traditional Windows + Linux method). Now, absolutely all
activities of an AG node can be done in a single Linux machine.

chris


On Fri, 2003-08-01 at 07:53, Rabarison Monika Klara wrote:
> 
> On our smaller node I have both audio and video on one linux machine 
> running both AG1.0 and AG 2.0 without problem so far. However the Display is on win 2000 with one 
> projector and the Control is on win 98. I have noticed that the Gentner on the control 
> machine consumes a lot of resources. 
> Budget wise I don't know much about :)
> 
> Monika
> On Thu, 31 Jul 2003, Glover George wrote:
> 
> > Hello all, 
> > 
> > 	We've been using the Access Grid now for over and year and no
> > real complaints.  However, I was wondering if anyone can help us with
> > this.  We're looking at the possibility of building a small scale AGN
> > here at USM for another location on campus.  They do not need or want to
> > spend the type of budget required for a full scale room, with 2 or 3
> > projection screens.  We were wondering, does anyone have experience in
> > setting something small up, say between $10,000 and $15,000?  I've
> > noticed that it would be possible to run (in version 1 of AG) both the
> > audio and video on one linux machines (as we had to do when we lost the
> > motherboard in the audio machine), and be able to run both the control
> > and display machines on the same windows machine.  Now I haven't got too
> > far along with the personal type node that is on the site with the
> > version 2 software, because I don't have a signed signature, but I was
> > wondering.....
> > 
> > 1.  Since it feels like most of the setup revolves around the display,
> > what type of inexpensive display would work best, possibly one projector
> > if small enough, maybe a large monitor or flat screen, plasma display,
> > etc.
> > 
> > 2.  For a one or two camera setup, what would be the requirements in
> > hardware and software.  Is version 2 of the AG agile enough to be
> > configured in many different ways, is this even recommended?
> > 
> > 3.  Anything anyone can suggest will be much appreciated.
> > 
> > Thanks in advance.
> > 
> > Glover George
> > Systems Admin/Programmer
> > University of Southern Mississippi
> > Glover.george at usm.edu
> > 
> > 
> 
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> Monika Rabarison
> Systems Administrator
> Office of Information Technology/HPCVI
> Jackson State University
> Office:(601)979-5933
> SciVis Lab:(601)979-1061
> JSUvisNode:(601)979-1056
-- 
Chris Willing                      Telephone   (61-2) 9351 3914
VisLab, A28                        Facsimile   (61-2) 9351 7726
University of Sydney
NSW 2006 Australia                http://www.vislab.usyd.edu.au