The Access Grid® is based on technology developed through advanced networking functions available through Internet2®.

It goes beyond normal videoconferencing by creating a sense of virtual presence through the use of a large screen display, multiple cameras, and individual windows showing participants who can be located at any of the Access Grid® nodes on the Internet2® network.

A typical Access Grid® node has audio/visual components consisting of video projectors, a wide projection screen, multiple cameras, speakers, and one or more microphones.





The key to its technology is the use of multicast networking. The Access Grid® multicasts separate streams of data from each camera and the audio system into the network. Multicast provides a very efficient means of sending the video and audio data because only one copy of each data stream needs to be sent, regardless of the number of recipients.

The Access Grid® is an Internet2®-based system that supports large-scale videoconferencing. It can be used for collaborative work sessions, distributive meetings, seminars, tutorials, and training.

The Access Grid® creates a virtual environment, reproducing this environment across the grid allowing all participants to see and hear one another. Participants are able to share research, collaborate findings, investigate solutions, and even share computer applications without leaving their campuses.

The Access Grid® node at the University of Arkansas is located in the David W. Mullins Library, Room 225. It was funded through a grant from the Arkansas Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN), with Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, Dean of Fulbright College, as one of the principal investigators under the grant. Additional resources for the realization of the Access Grid® node were contributed by University Libraries and IT Services.

More information about the Access Grid® can be found by going to:

http://www.accessgrid.org/
www.accessgrid.org/agdp/

To reserve the Access Grid® or to find out more information, contact Dan Puckett, IT Services, at 575-2905 or email danp@uark.edu

The Access Grid® is a free service available to students, staff, and faculty of the University of Arkansas.