Bridging

• Presentation Sharing
• Beacons
• Bridging
• EVO
• EVO - Telephone Bridge
• Virtual Venue Servers
• Automated Node Testing
• AG Check

Bridging and the Access Grid

Access Grid technology uses "multicast" to reduce bandwidth consumption when transmitting to several remote participants simultanously. If your institution or research centre is not configured to use multicast then you can still use Access Grid successfully by using a multicast to unicast bridge.

Multicast-Unicast Bridging

The Multicast-Unicast Bridges are for sites in the process of establishing multicast connectivity (i.e. new Access Grid sites) and/or for sites with temporary multicast problems. Use of the IOCOM Multicast-Unicast Bridge is available to any site that has passed a QA test (or that has registered on our QA testing programme, but is yet to take one). Use of the other bridges is available to any UK user.

The bridge is a helpful failover when problems are experienced; however, it is no substitute for fully working multicast. If you do not have multicast enabled or you are experiencing problems, speak to your local network support staff. If problems are not still resolved, then talk to us. Since we work for JANET(UK) it is helpful for us to know the status of multicast connectivity and frequent problems so that we can work to resolve them.

Currently, the AGSC is running two Multicast-Unicast bridges:

• IOCOM software and is available for those of you running IOCOM IG2 clients.
• An AG Toolkit Bridge Server for those running the latest open source client. Those still using the older client version 3.02 should visit the Bridge Registry page to see how to set up and switch between lists of bridges shown in their client. Please note that this switch may also be used with client version 3.1 as a backup in case the ANL registry fails. Version 3.1 also allows you to add more than one registry. Details on how to do this are also shown on the Bridge Registry page.

Accessing Bridges

Click on the links below for instructions on how to connect

• AG Toolkit M-U Bridge
• IOCOM M-U Bridge

Bridging Between Technologies

Access Grid is also able to connect or "bridge" across and communicate with other types of conferencing technology such as conventional videoconferencing, (also known as H.323) and to EVO used by some scientific communities. These bridges enable collaboration between a broad spectrum of users. You will find some information on how to achieve the bridging processes at the links below:

• H.323-AG Bridge
• EVO - AG Bridge

To get support on these services please talk to us at the AGSC.