The Access Grid (AG) is the ensemble of
resources that can be used to support human interaction across the grid. It consists of
multimedia display, presentation and interactive environments, interfaces to grid
middleware, and interfaces to visualization environments. The Access Grid will support
large-scale distributed meetings, collaborative work sessions, seminars, lectures,
tutorials and training. The Access Grid design point is group-to-group communication (thus
differentiating it from desktop to desktop based tools that focus on individual
communication). The Access Grid environment must enable both formal and informal group
interactions. Large-format displays integrated with intelligent or active meeting
rooms are a central feature of the Access Grid nodes. Access Grid nodes are "designed
spaces" that explicitly contain the high-end audio and visual technology needed to
provide a high-quality compelling user experience.
The Access Grid complements the
computational grid; indeed, the Access Grid node concept is specifically targeted
at providing "group" access to the Grid. This access may be for remote visualization
or interactive applications, or for utilizing the high-bandwidth environment for virtual
meetings and events.
Access Grid Nodes
provide a research environment for the development of
distributed data and visualization corridors and for the study of issues relating to
collaborative work in distributed environments
...
a virtual community
