Victorian Partnership for Advanced Computing

VPAC Access Grid Hardware & Software

Each computer has the following specifications:

• Soltek SL85ERV motherboard
• Intel P4 2.4Ghz processor
• Seagate 60GB 7200rpm IDE hard drive
• 3.5 inch floppy disk drive
• 52x CD-ROM drive
• 1GB (2 x 512MB) Legend DDR 2700 RAM
• ATX desktop case with 400W power supply
• 100+ Intel Pro Ethernet adaptor

Display computer

The display computer receives and decodes the video stream from the Grid, and is then displayed on the projection wall through three projectors. The display computer has three video cards to drive four display outputs - three projectors and the operator's monitor.

Specifications:

• 64MB PNY Quadro4 XGL550 AGP video adaptor
• 2 x PCI 32MB Nvidia TNT II video adaptor

Video computer

The role of the video computer is to capture video from the local cameras and encode it for transmission over the Internet.

Specifications:

• 3 x Hauppauge TV-Go FM Card Model 709

Audio computer

The audio computer is used to capture local audio for transmission over the Internet. The audio computer also processes the audio streams from remote sites for output through the speakers.

Specifications:

• 3 x Vibra 128-bit sound card

Control computer

The control computer controls the audio hardware (mainly the echo cancellation unit) and also serves as machine that participants may use for Windows-based presentations.

Video equipment

Three cameras are used to capture local video, which is fed into the video computer for processing before being sent out as a multicast stream. There are three ceiling-mounted projectors, which receive images from the display computer.

Specifications:

• 3 x Hitachi CP-SX5500 Projectors ? each with a resolution of 1280 x 1024.
• 2 x Colour Sony Sensor CCD Cameras (one with a 4mm lens and the other with a 6mm lens)
• Canon VC-C4 Communication Camera

Audio equipment

Three microphones are used to capture local audio, which is fed into the audio computer via the Echo Canceller. The audio computer also outputs to two speakers via an amplifier.

Specifications:

• Shure UT2458 UHF SM58 RF Microphone System
• 2 x Audix ADX60 Cardioid Boundary Microphones
• Gentner XAP-400 Teleconference Unit
• QSC RMX850 Amplifier
• Martin EM15B Speakers

Networking equipment

Specifications

• Ethernet 10/100 cables

Miscellaneous

• 4 computers to one console KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switch
• 19 inch Videocom CRT standard tube monitor

Software

The display, video and audio computers all run Fedora Core 6, with the Access Grid Toolkit 2.4 and 3 installed.