AccessGrid Frequently Asked Questions:

AccessGrid in General:

  1. What is the AccessGrid?
  2. What do I need to participate in AccessGrid Conferencing?
  3. What are the minimum system requirements to use the Access Grid software?
  4. Is there an AccessGrid conference facility available?
  5. What can I do with the AccessGrid?
  6. What is multicast?
  7. What is unicast?
  8. What is the difference between AccessGrid and webcast?
  9. Where do I reserve the conference equipment/room?
  10. What is a venuserver?
  11. How do I get my own room at the UTHSCSA venuserver?
  12. I need help hosting a conference/seminar/etc, who do I contact?
  13. How do I set up the software?
  14. What other institutions have access to the AccessGrid?
  15. What kind of hardware is in the Bioinformatics Core Facilities Access Grid node?
  16. Can I checkout the BCF's portable Access Grid node for my own conference?
  17. How do I connect to your Venue Server if I use the INSORS client?
  18. What ports do I need to have open to my computer?

Running the AccessGrid:

  1. How can I check if my network connection is Multicast enabled?
  2. How do I check for full-duplex on my network connection?
  3. What is the address of the UTHSCSA virtual venue server?
  4. I know other people are in the room, but they don't see me. What's wrong?
  5. I entered a room, but all I see is myself. What's wrong?
  6. How do I export my Desktop to a remote user?
  7. How do I set up distributed PowerPoint?

Linux specific questions:

  1. When starting RAT, I get '/dev/dsp: Permission Denied'? What's wrong?
  2. Why does RAT consume 99% of my CPU usage?
  3. Can I use a Firewire camera with VIC?
  4. Why don't all the services start like they do in Windows?
  5. How can I customize VIC so I don't have to configure it everytime it starts?
  6. Why does my soundcard only work with Listen or Talk, but not both at the same time?
  7. Where can I find the video drivers for my Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000?

Live CD specific questions:

  1. Why isn't my computer booting from the CD?
  2. I have a laptop, can I still use the CD?
  3. What kind of camera do you recommend?
  4. Why am I shown as UTHSCSA Anonymous when I enter a venue?
  5. While booting, my computer has a problem with [insert problem]
  6. Why is the camera image green?

Access Grid Port Information:

  1. What ports do I have to have open for the Access Grid to work?
  2. What ports do I have to open for VNC?
  3. What is AG Connector?


For other questions please contact Borries Demeler or Jeremy Mann.

AccessGrid in General:

  1. What is the AccessGrid?
    The Access Grid (AG) is an international video teleconferencing system that operates over the Internet. It provides for real-time interaction between users at two or more sites. Originally developed at the Argonne National Laboratory, it can be used for everything from formal large-scale distributed meetings, to seminars and class lectures, to small informal meetings between two sites.

    The AG consists of special designed spaces called Access Grid Nodes, rooms which contain the high-end video and audio hardware needed to allow for a realistic, compelling user experience.
  2. What do I need to participate in AccessGrid Conferencing?
    At a minimum you will need PC running Windows or Linux with a full duplex sound card, headphones and a microphone. The headphones are needed to eliminate feedback through the microphone. You will also need to download and install the AccessGrid Client for your computer. If you want to share your computer desktop with remote users, you will also need The TightVNC software. If you want to provide video, you will also need a USB or firewire camera or an NTSC movie camera with capture card.
  3. What are the system requirements to use the Access Grid software?
    For personal use, you will need a fairly modest system since your computer will be doing all the processing. At least a 700mhz processor with 256 megabytes of RAM and a 10/100mbit full duplex network card. For audio/video, a full duplex soundcard and a USB 1.1 webcam are needed. See the camera list for a number of cameras which we have tested. I run the PIG software on a 850mhz Dell laptop with USB and Firewire cameras with virtually no slowness.
  4. Is there an AccessGrid conference facility available?
    Yes, the Biochemistry office has a fully equipped AccessGrid conference room in room 425 D
  5. What can I do with the AccessGrid? You can feed audio and video streams to your clients, as well as powerpoint slide presentation, screendumps, data files and other sources of digital information
  6. What is multicast?
    Multicast is a transmission method where multiple clients can attach to a single video or audio stream and to share this connection in order to conserve bandwidth.
  7. What is unicast?
    Unicast as opposed to Multicast allows you to only connect one stream of audio and video, and these streams cannot be shared with other clients.
  8. What is the difference between AccessGrid and webcast?
    The accessGrid conference system is truly bidirectional and allows clients to send their own video and audio streams, webcast is only unidirectional (from server to client).
  9. Where do I reserve the conference equipment/room?
    Please contact Jeremy Mann or Borries Demeler
  10. How do I get my own room at the UTHSCSA venuserver?
    Please contact Jeremy Mann or Borries Demeler
  11. What is a venuserver?
    A venue server is a computer that all clients connect to. It will redistribute the audio and video streams. It can host multiple "venues" which can be accessed independently.
  12. I need help hosting a conference/seminar/etc, who do I contact?
    Please contact Jeremy Mann or Borries Demeler for additional help with equipment and software.
  13. How do I set up the software?
    Please refer to the documentation at the software site.
  14. How do I find out who else is on the AccessGrid?
    You can consult the AccessGrid Community page. Many institutions are on Internet II and are capable of using the AccessGrid software.
  15. What kind of hardware is in the Bioinformatics Core Facilities Access Grid node?
    The BCF Access Grid node consists of one powerful computer. The computer is a dual (2) CPU Intel Xeon processor system rated at 3.06 gigahertz per CPU with 3 NTSC video capture cards, and a quad output video card. In conjunction, we have 3 high resolution Sony remote controlled video cameras, 2 Panasonic high resolution LCD projectors, a Gentner echo cancelling module and a microphone mixer with 2 omni directional microphones.
  16. Can I checkout the BCF's portable Access Grid node for my own conference?
    Absolutely! This is why we made it portable. Interested parties will need to contact Dr. Borries Demeler (x7-6592) for schedule times. Be sure to schedule at least a month in advance. This will allow us time to check the room or lecture hall for the proper requirements, and setup the system for a demonstration run before the scheduled event.
  17. How do I connect to your Venue Server if I use the INSORS client?
    Open a web browser and goto http://insors.internet2.edu. Enter your username and password. Once logged in, click on the Manual Bridge button. For hostname use ag1.v19.uthscsa.edu and for audio/video ports for the desired room, you can find those ports here.

Running the AccesssGrid:

  1. How can I check if my network connection is Multicast enabled?
    The Internet2 website provides a utility called Internet2 Detective. This utility will test the Abilene network connectivity and connect to their servers to test your Mulitcast capability. If you get a green light on the Multicast test, Multicast is enabled on your network port. If its red or yellow, contact Fred Dzuik (x7-2117) or Jeremy Mann (x7-2672). If you using Linux, you will need a program called iperf. This is a command line program which requires a server be started on another network connection. Contact Jeremy Mann (210-567-2672) for assistance.
    June 13, 2006: Update -- As of May, most parts of the UTHSCSA campus are Multicast enabled. If your VLAN is not setup for Multicast, you will need to submit an SRF and ask T&N to switch the VLAN to accept Multicast.
  2. How do I check for full-duplex on my network connection?
    You will have to call Telecommunications and Networking and give them the wall plate number of your network port and ask them to verify the connection speed. Most campus connections are 10mbit, half-duplex. While there isn't anything wrong with this setting, the AccessGrid environment will be better if it can communicate 100mbit full-duplex. Most of the campus connections should be able to be upgraded to 100mbit. However, some parts are still using older hardware, so if you're in this section of campus (the T&N person will tell you if you are) you can request 10mbit full-duplex.
  3. What is the address of the UTHSCSA virtual venue server?
    The address of our AG2 venue server is:

    https://ag1.v19.uthscsa.edu:8000/Venues/default

  4. I know other people are in the room, but they don't see me. What's wrong?
    This is caused by not having Multicast capability on your network connection or VLAN. See the Multicast question above.
  5. I entered a room, but all I see is myself. What's wrong?
    This is also caused by not having Multicast capabilities. See the Multicast question above.
  6. How do I export my Desktop?
    You can use TightVNC from http://www.tightvnc.com
  7. How do I set up distributed PowerPoint presentations?
     You can find detailed instructions for setting up a distributed Powerpoint client at the AccessGrid website.

Linux specific questions:

  1. When starting RAT, I get '/dev/dsp: Permission Denied'? What's wrong?
    You don't have permission of the audio device. Most distributions already set this up to allow normal users use of that device. But in some cases you need to manually fix it. Start by su'ing to root and issue this command:

    chmod 666 /dev/dsp*

    chmod 666 /dev/mixer*

  2. Why does RAT consume 99% of my CPU usage?
    This is a known problem with the i810 audio chipset and RAT. You will have to enable Stereo mode for RAT. To do that see this website for instructions, http://www.ap-accessgrid.org/AG2/intel8x0.html.
  3. Can I use a Firewire camera with VIC?
    The answer is yes, but it requires significant system modifications. We will provide a guide for this question in the future.
  4. Why don't all the services start like they do in Windows?
    Start your venue client like this:

    VenueClient.py --personalNode

  5. How can I customize VIC so I don't have to configure it everytime it starts?
    When VIC executes, by default it looks for a configuration file called vic.tcl in your $HOME directory. Create this file and add these lines to set some general parameters:

    option add Vic.maxbw 3072 50
    option add Vic.bandwidth 3072 50
    option add Vic.framerate 25 50
    option add Vic.quality 85 75
    option add Vic.rtpName " UTHSCSA Laptop"
    option add Vic.defaultTTL32
  6. Why does my soundcard only work with Listen or Talk, but not both at the same time?
    Your soundcard does not support full duplex operation. The soundcard can't play and record at the same time, which is what is needed for you to talk and listen at the same time. You may have to try changing kernel sound drivers from OSS to ALSA. If that doesn't work then considering buying a set of drivers from 4Front Technologies or replacing your soundcard with one that works. All SoundBlaster products, i.e. SB16, PCI128, Audigy, Live! support full duplex and are relatively inexpensive.
  7. Where can I find the video drivers for my Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000?
    The video drivers for this camera are available from http://www.saillard.org/linux/pwc. The code currently supports all 2.6 kernels and replaces the old pwc module when installed. There is a patch for 2.4 kernels, but we haven't tested it.
Live CD specific questions:
  1. Why isn't my computer booting from the CD?
    This function is controlled in the BIOS of the computer. Most newer computers come set to boot from the CD first, then the Hard Disk, but in this case your computer has this setting missing or misconfigured. You will have to enter the BIOS and change it. Computer BIOS's differ from manufacturer so I can't get into complete detail, but look for a 'Boot' section in the BIOS. Note, some older model computers do not support booting from the CDROM drive.
  2. I have a laptop, can I still use this CD?
    Of course. This CD is ideal for workstation and laptops and will work on virtually any system as long as it can boot from the CDROM drive.
  3. What kind of camera do you recommend?
    The BCF has thoroughly tested most brands of USB webcams. Out of all of them, we recommend the Logitech Quickcam Pro 4000.
  4. Why am I shown as UTHSCSA Anonymous when I enter a Venue?
    In a normal AccessGrid environment, each user has their own certificate. This tells other users who you are. Unfortunately, it also requires you to enter a passphrase each time you start the AccessGrid. To avoid a lot of user confusion, we requested an Anonymous certificate from Argonne National Laboratories which is the default for our Live CD. If you wish to have your own certificate, we can make another CD just for you. Contact Jeremy Mann (x7-2672) for help regarding this.
  5. While booting, my computer has a problem with [insert problem]
    This CD is based on Knoppix which has what are called "Cheatcodes". A cheatcode is something you can specify while booting that will turn on/off certain hardware and features. To see what these cheatcodes are at the BOOT: prompt, press the F3 key. Most hardware related issues can be solved by using the noacpi cheatcode.
  6. Why is the camera image green?
    We have seen this problem on a few occasions. We don't know what causes it, but we do have a fix available.

Access Grid Port Information:
  1. What ports do I have to open for the Access Grid to work?
    The Access Grid requires a range of ports to be open to the client machine. Its a good idea to open 41000 to 65535 UDP. If you are using our Venue Server, you'll need to have ports 30000 to 35000 UDP and 47000 UDP opened. The Access Grid client doesn't always use all of the ports, but each Venue and room have random port assignments within that range, so it is best to open the entire range. If you are using the AG Connector plugin the only port you have to open is 8010 TCP/UDP.
  2. What ports do I have to open for VNC?
    By default the VNC server will accept connections on TCP port 5901. Under the Linux environment, you can start multiple sessions at once, so the number will increase with each VNC session, i.e. 5901, 5902, 5903, etc...
  3. What is AG Connector?
    AG Connector is a plugin for Access Grid version 2.4 that allows your client to connect to a Venue Server utilitizing only one (1) port for communications. Previously, you needed to have open a wide range of ports which most networking staff refused to open for security reasons. You can download the plugin here.