Virtual Venue Servers

A Virtual Venue Server is a robust navigation point to standard Access Grid and UK-specific virtual venues (rooms) in which users can gather to share ideas, collaborate on projects or just speak face to face. The AGSC run a number of virtual venue servers, two which run IOCOM software, one which runs AGToolkit AG3 software and backups for both services to provide resilience.

Use of Virtual Venue Servers is available to any site that has passed a Node test and also to sites that have registered for a Node test but have yet to take one.

Currently, usage of the AG3 VV server and related multicast-uncast bridges are open to any user (not just those who are registered with the AGSC) as is the case with the IOCOM VV server. However, if usage is high, this situation may be reviewed and access restricted.

A list of Virtual Venue Addresses on these VV servers are provided as well.

Accessing the VV Servers

AG3 VV Server

The AG3 virtual venue server is currently running AG version 3.02. To access the AG3 Virtual Venue server, run your AG3 Venue Client, copy and paste the address below into the VV server textbox: https://sam.ag.manchester.ac.uk:8000/Venues/default Click on "Go" and navigate to the desired room. To access a bridged connection (if multicast is not enabled on your network) go to Tools --> Use Unicast. There is also a choice of bridges to use under Tools but we only recommend using AGSC bridges as we may not be able to resolve problems encountered while using non-AGSC bridges.

The backup server for AG3 is https://fraser.ag.manchester.ac.uk:8000/Venues/default

IOCOM IG2 VV Server

Access the IOCOM IG2 VV server use the virgo URL: http://virgo.agsc.man.ac.uk If you are unable to get this link to work, copy and paste the whole address into an internet browser. In either case a login box should appear at which point you use your IOCOM username and password to log in. To connect to a Venue, select a venue from one of the lists and click on "Multicast" (or "Bridged" for a bridged connection).

In rare cases that Virgo is unavailable, use the backup server Knight for IOCOM IG2. Knight's URL is: http://knight.agsc.man.ac.uk

If you have any questions or comments please talk to us.