[AG-TECH] Portable AG node

Thu Mar 31 18:36:02 CST 2005

Natalia,

I need to get you a picture of how the cables are placed on ours (maybe 
I'll take the top off and show you that way) - but basically, I have a 
set of cable ends from the phoenix connectors on the XAP400 that just 
run to the back in a flexible conduit with XLR connectors where the 
cables (which are coiled up on hooks on the sides when in "storage/move 
mode" and simply plugged into the connectors on the back when in use. 
This lets me mix and match for distances, etc.

Note: a lot of 2" wide velcro was used in keeping things in place  - 
monitors, gentner (helps cushion during travel as well), other devices 
- even the powerbricks from the monitors, etc). Walmart, fabric section 
- black or white is where you find lots of the stuff... =)

I'm setting up the system over the weekend for a conference, i'll get 
some detailed picture for  you on that. My preference would have been 
to put a patch panel somewhere on the cart but just never got around to 
it - i.e. it works, it's quick, we've been so busy I haven't done more 
to it! But it could be cleaned up.

Someone was telling me that the audio folks have some nifty cards for 
rackmounting equipment that are mobile... i have to look into that... 
they did say it was $$$$ though...

-John Q.
-- 
John I. Quebedeaux, Jr.
Louisiana State University
Computer Manager / LBRN & CCT / 131 Life Sciences Bldg. & 339 Johnston 
Hall
e-mail: johnq at lsu.edu or johnq at cct.lsu.edu / web: http://lbrn.lsu.edu & 
http://cct.lsu.edu
phone: 225-578-0062 / fax: 225-578-2597

On Mar 31, 2005, at 9:11 AM, Natalia Costas Lago wrote:

>  
> Thank you very much John for such a detailed description. There are 
> some points that are interesting for ours.
>  
> Our mobile node will be used... everywhere. Actually we are thinking 
> in a 3 projectors setup. Buy 3 portable screens.... The main goal is 
> to reduce the size of the rack (that means to reduce every item we can 
> think of), and try to work out some solutions for an easy .. "plug and 
> play". The cables issue is a big one.
>  
> We need.. room node quality equipment.. that we can move around easily.
>   
>  
> ----- Original Message -----
>  From: John I Quebedeaux Jr
> To: Natalia Costas Lago
> Cc: ag-tech
> Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 10:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [AG-TECH] Portable AG node
>
> Natalia,
>
> I hate to say it this way... but it depends. That's one of the things 
> about the AG is that it IS so flexible for the environment you are 
> putting it into. Will you use the portable in a small room, large 
> room, auditorium, etc? everywhere?
>
> I'm currently upgrading our portable node and putting as much 
> flexibility and power into as small a box i can get was one of my 
> dilemmas. I'm still looking at motherboard slot configurations, etc. 
> I'm going to be trying out one of those quad-capture cards...
>
> However: this is what my current portable node looks like below (LSU's 
> portable node is affectionately named "Wilbur the PIG")
>
> two 15" LCD monitors
> one dual head AGP Matrox card (I forget which)
> one quad head PCI Nvidia card (I forget which)
> two Canon VC-C4 cameras
> one Sony EVI-D100 camera
> 3 tripods
> wireless keyboard and mouse
> one trackerpod quickcam (WDM) for operator
> three osprey 100 capture cards
> on board audio/network (100mbit on this one)
> CPU is a dual 2.2 xeon running XP(SP2)
> XAP400
> one wireless lapel mic
> i borrow crown mics from my full node as needed for inputs 2-4
> pair of genelec 1029A speakers
> surgeprotector/filter
> 50' to 100' of just about every cable - well shielded s-video cables 
> btw.
>
> my upgrade will speed up the CPU/motherboard, replace the video card 
> with a single quad card, put in a single capture card, have audio and 
> firewire and gigabit. I'm going to add a 2nd wireless mic (for 
> audience on a stand) and a couple of table mics I can attach. I'll 
> upgrade the cart - pneumatic tires probably or build a split "cart" 
> where the top and bottom are removable for easier travel in vehicles. 
> I've taken Wilbur all over the state. Fortunately, this design fits in 
> the back "well" of my van (where the back seat folds up into). Note, 
> the tripods do fold up small enough to fit inside the cart. EVERYTHING 
> fits on the cart.
>
> The bottom half of this card holds ALL the cameras, cables, etc. The 
> top half holds the CPU, echo canceler, wireless receiver, monitors, 
> and speakers (velcro holds them in place during the long rolls across 
> campus). There is even a plastic cover (see picture with umbrella in 
> the corner?) that keeps it dry in the event of a sudden down pour 
> (which has happened... it's Louisiana, thunderstorms happen). =)
>
> The reason for the mismatch on the cameras is that i ended up with a 
> spare camera from another project... and two cameras is NOT enough. 
> I'll even say 3 isn't, but 3 is okay.
>
> The cart is a rubbermaid cart... we removed the drawer section in the 
> top half, put a plywood board in for more support (that CPU is heavy), 
> and cut one small hole for the cables into the bottom half where we 
> have a powerstrip/surge protector.
>
> Hope this gives you some ideas. Basically though, this has allowed 
> most of the flexibility I needed - I have a spare projector but it's 
> not that bright and i have to rely on the installed projectors in 
> rooms I go to, but 1 projector isn't enough (no one seems to 
> understand that until they see our full node in action). They keep 
> wanting to squeeze everything into one screen. Argh. Terrible.
>
> -John Q.
>
>
>
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> -- 
> John I. Quebedeaux, Jr.
> Louisiana State University
> Computer Manager / LBRN & CCT / 131 Life Sciences Bldg. & 339 Johnston 
> Hall
> e-mail: johnq at lsu.edu or johnq at cct.lsu.edu / web: http://lbrn.lsu.edu 
> & http://cct.lsu.edu
> phone: 225-578-0062 / fax: 225-578-2597
>
> On Mar 30, 2005, at 11:06 AM, Natalia Costas Lago wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi everybody!
>  
>  
> We are in a new stage of AG deployment, our new challenge is to 
> develop a mobile AG node. It's a room one, but we need to move the 
> equipment wherever is needed.
>  
> And, we are in a hurry, as we need to purchase and have it working 
> properly for an important event soon.
>  
> I've seen this isnt a brand new idea, there is a pic of one "portable 
> ag node" on the Internet2 website, and there are more sites that have 
> one. The problem is that i couldnt find precise details about the 
> hardware we should purchase. Or the better configuration (cable 
> length, wireless video, maybe rack PCs?), there are so many choices!!.
>  
> We greatly appreciate any suggestion, configuration and/or advices 
> provided.
>  
> Has anyone out there worked on a similar configuration?
>  
> Thankx in advance,
>  
> Kind regards,
> Natalia.
>  
> -----------------------------------
> Natalia Costas Lago
> email: natalia at cesga.es
>  
> Centro de Supercomputacion de Galicia (CESGA)
> Avenida de Vigo, s/n Campus Sur
>  15706 Santiago de Compostela - SPAIN
> Tel:   +34  981 56 98 10
>  Fax:  +34  981 59 46 16
> http://www.cesga.es/
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