Videoconference

We support videoconference activities among groups of investigators participating in regular meetings and remote journal clubs. Graduate students use the technology to communicate with mentors and members of thesis committees. Research Program Directors use the technology to meet with colleagues and with officials at funding agencies.

Instead of focusing on a dedicated central facility for videoconference, the CIAR approach is to use portable units in any room or facility connected to the RCMI network or to other segments of the research network at the Medical Sciences Campus. This approach provides more flexibility and efficiency in the deployment of current hardware and support personnel. CIAR has a dedicated videoconference room to deploy AccessGrid and H.323 technology, but we will continue to stimulate the use of our portable units.

Individual investigators and graduate students use point-to-point technologies to interact with colleagues and to receive individualized training. Also, we are currently exploring the use of off-the-shelf software to support remote operation of research software and instrumentation.

As part of these efforts, our staff has developed expertise in the use of applications such as OhPhone , Conference XP , Polycom ViewStation FX , Polycom PVX , GnomeMeeting , NetMeeting , and iChat . Some members of the staff trained on H.323 and SIP technologies at the Internet2 Commons .