• Spring 2004 International Main page
• ITF Meeting: 1st Part (Mon)
• ITF Meeting: 2nd Part (Mon)
• Global Connectivity: Case Studies (Tues)
• Extending the reach of advanced networking Workshop (Thurs)
• Spring 2004 Member Meeting

Case Study 1: The VNELab (Virtual Networking Lab) at Texas A&M [presentation]

Presenters:

• Walt Magnussen, Willis Marti (Texas A&M, US)

In 2002, Texas A&M University received an International Collaboration grant from the National Science Foundation. One of the projects under this grant was access to the Web Access Exercise System (WAES) by computer science students at the Autonomous National University of Mexico (UNAM). Establishment of WAES was funded by an earlier NSF grant, industry donations and University funds.

The WAES system is a network training tool within the Virtual Network Lab at Texas A&M. With this system, students log on to real devices and complete switch or router configuration using ATM, OSPF and other protocols. Upon completion of the exercise the student is told if the configuration accomplished the desired goals.

The project was expanded from the UNAM to include the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH) and the National Politechnic Institute (IPN). Future planned expansions include the Autonomous University of the Tamaulipas (UAT), the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) and the Autonomous University of South Baja California (UBCS).

Texas A&M will add additional protocols and additional international partners in the coming 12 months.

Case Study 2: Multidisciplinary Networked Collaboration and Data Gathering for Art Conservation

Presenters:

• Thomas Knab (CIO, College of Arts and Sciences, Case Western Reserve University)
• Leonard Steinbach (CIO, Cleveland Museum of Art)

Case Western Reserve University (Case), the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) and the Centre de Recherché et Restauration are jointly conducting a project which demonstrates the viability of using high speed telecommunications for image and data sharing and real time expert collaboration in the service of art research and conservation. This project converges these institutions' expertise in order to scientifically study the ceramics made by Bernard Palissy (France, 16th century). The goal of the project is to physically and chemically characterize the ceramics known to be made by Palissy, and then to compare these with the composition and aesthetic aspects of ceramics owned by the Museum in order to ascertain whether they were made at the Palissy factory or by his various imitators.

Bruce Christman, CMA Chief Conservator, and Arthur Heuer, Case's University Professor of Engineering and Kyocera Distinguished Professor of Ceramics, were able to share detailed real-time video images of beautiful Palissy ceramic art works; scientific data on ceramic sample composition; real-time microscope images; and engage in lively discussion with Jacques Castaing and Anne Bouquillons at the Louvre's Centre de Recherche et de Restauration des Musees de France over the Internet2 and RENATER networks.

With heightened international interest in art, cultural heritage, and national patrimony, there is also increased need to be able to establish the authenticity, condition, creation techniques and provenance of art objects and historic artifacts. Scientific analysis and cultural expertise in these areas are increasingly sophisticated, but these are also increasingly out of reach to all but the world's largest and richest cultural institutions. This can be a model for efficient and cost-effective sharing of expertise and scientific resources internationally for arts and humanities research and collaboration.

 

Case Study 3: Pacific Rim Application and Grid Middleware Assembly: An example of
collaborative efforts- Overview and Update

Presenter:

• Peter Arzberger (UCSD, US)

The Pacific Rim Application and Grid Middleware Assembly (PRAGMA) is an open, institutional-based organization, consisting of twenty institutions around the Pacific Rim. PRAGMA was formed to establish sustained collaborations and to advance the use of grid technologies in applications among a community of investigators working with leading institutions around the Pacific Rim. Applications are the focus of PRAGMA and are used to bring together the key infrastructure and middleware necessary to
advance application goals.

This presentation will introduce the motivations to establish PRAGMA, introduce its membership, highlight the collaborative accomplishments over the last year, and examine strategies employed to build the collaboration.

PRAGMA is supported by its twenty member institutions and their funding organizations, which include the National Science Foundation's (Grant No. INT-0314015) Office of International Science and Engineering, Division of Shared Cyberinfrastructure and Research, Division of Advanced Networking and Research, and Division of Biological Infrastructure.

Note: I will include some discussion about strategies we have used - perhaps they will be helpful to others.