Networks for the Professional Campus Environment

This chapter describes the challenges of effectively utilizing distributed resources in a new Professional Campus Environment. In this environment, the synthesis and manipulation of multimedia data from physically distinct locations is a critical activity which requires development of advanced network technology. Such a network will make use of fiber-optic interconnects, highthroughput, low-latency data transfer protocols and visualization servers based on scalable clusters of high-performance workstations. Cost-effective delivery of high-resolution real-time image data is possible if the visualization clusters are interconnected via a very broadband backbone. We describe an approach which makes use of advanced networking technologies including a multi-Gbps parallel fiber-optic link technology currently being developed as part of a HewlettPackard/USC program. The major challenge and goal of this campus-based network is to develop and demonstrate efficient Gbps data transfer within and between cluster servers. A long term objective is to realize a practical networked interactive-visualization system capable of serving remote campus locations.