2002 - cesnet

• Collaboration environment support,• Special projects and events,6.3 Collaborative Environment SupportThe infrastructure of the computer networks and high-speed connections havebecome a standard in most academic centres. The network is used not only fordata transmission and the operation of remote computers, but it also servesfor the transmission of multimedia data and their real-time sharing. Thanks tocomputer networks, geographically distributed teams find their work easier andfaster and now, another quality step forward is required – to make use of networkand IT infrastructure for the creation of a virtual shared workspace, wheregeographical distance is no longer significant.In order to solve this complex tasks, it is necessary to solve a number of partialtasks and problems, tackled by the members of the research team during theyear 2002. It is possible to divide these tasks into the following categories:• Systems for network support of group communication,• Tools for shared collaborative environment,• Portal for management and administration of group communication environment,• Knowledge base and direct support for pilot groups,• Establishment of access points for communicating groups.6.3.1 Network Support on MBone BasisIn IP networks, group communication is usually provided using multicast, createdby the MBone virtual network. Over the past few years, MBone, unfortunately,has been unavailable to a number of places. It was therefore necessaryto look for another solution that may partly replace multicast and offer a reliablyavailable service instead of a rather unreliable one.In order to solve the problem of multidirectional communication, it is possibleto make use of an element (software or even hardware one), for the replicationof data from a single source and forwarding of such data to other members ofthe communicating group. This device is usually referred to as a reflector or amirror.Within our solution, we have developed a software reflector, based on the RTPUnicast Mirror program. In this case, the otherwise practically endless multicast82 High-speed National Research Network and its New Applications 2002