IEEC - Undergraduate Research

IEEC Undergraduate Research--Fall, 2001

Advisor: Bahgat Sammakia

Intent: Development of an Internet Based course on Electronics Packaging utilizing a distributed Database

This proposal deals with the development of a distributed databse that contains modular lectures covering different topics related to Electronics Packaging. The modules will be developed at different universities that are connected via the Internet II high speed lines and will utilize the Internet II commons project infrastructure. The modules will be available to students nationally on demand, as long as they are located at an Internet II site. The lectures will be accessed from the distributed database and delivered to the students at their location. The lectures will consist of pre prepared visual slides (Prepared in a standard software packages such as power-point), audio will be synchronized with the slides. Audio will also be synchronized with freehand charts that the lecturer may write during the taping of the course. Video clips will also be integrated into the lectures as necessary. The course lectures will also have web based that may be accessed during the viewing of the material. The student will be responsible for conducting a literature and vendor search to find out which components of the hardware and software are available to accomplish the required tasks. The student will then develop the additional software as needed to combine the available tools and integrate them into a seamless package that can be installed on different campuses. Initially the departments of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech University and the State University of New York at Binghamton will collaborate as the two initial sites for the shared modules. Other campuses will be added after feasibility has been demonstrated.

Work Performed:

Researched Distributed Database Systems

Our proposal deals directly with a distributed database system. The first step, therefore, involved researching the protocols, issues, and algorithms associated with distributed systems, which are not necessarily directly related to Internet 2 connectivity issues. To this end, the publication "Operating System Concepts" by Silberschatz and Galvin was consulted. Issues specific to the project were examined in depth, including distributed file systems, mutual exclusion (semaphores and concurrency), and atomicity.

Examined HARP Distributed Library Database Protocols

The HARP prototype was developed at Nanyang Technological University and Kent Ridge Digital Labs. It is a distributed query processing system, and not an Internet 2 based application. However, the architecture that it employs and the query processing functionality are quite similar to the system that would be developed by this proposal. It was therefore deemed germane to the research goals of the project and studied in-depth with the caveat that certain aspects of the system are not specifically relevant to Internet 2.

Wrote abstract on relevance of HARP architecture to project

This paper was developed on the topic of distributed processing systems in general, as well as the HARP prototype and the implications and issues that could be gleaned from these systems. Such issues were shown to be parallel to the distributed environment under possible development.

Participated in Conferences with IEEC members

Issues relevant to the system were discussed from both an engineering perspective as well as an administrative/marketing perspective. Engineering issues were discussed, such as the most effective ways to take advantage of the Internet 2 high bandwidth and file streaming capabilities, dial-up modem connectivity issues, database location concerns, and security/access issues.

Researched Application Development Issues Over I 2 Connections

Due to the fact that no comprehensive software package exists that will meet every aspect of our proposal, we will most likely need to develop software to some extent. To this end, we need to consider I 2 development issues. Additionally, it is important to understand the criteria that define viable and efficient I 2 applications, in light of the fact that most software developed for standard internet connections is not considered to efficent under I 2 bandwidth.

Wrote abstract on I 2 Development Issues

This short paper deals with the above issues that are significant in developing Internet 2 applications.

Attended EStudio Presentation

EStudio is a software application featuring video sharing capability and Internet 2 optimization (file streaming, etc.).

Examined EStudio For Feasibility

EStudio contains certain capabilities that are desirable and some that are not. It is potentially beneficial in light of its streaming media capabilities which would facilitate efficient viewing of remote video and audio-based applications. Features deemed less desirable or simply unavailable include the ability to modify slide presentations once they are archived, the overall price of the system, and the ease of integrating more advanced features of powerpoint presentations. This is clearly a system that is still in its nascent stages.

Researched Current Development Issues In Distributed I 2 Educational Software

Software development issues in engineering educational applications utilizing I 2 bandwidth capabilities. Programming language topics such as the use of standards such as Java and Active X, and the contrast and utility of developing proprietary tools to address specific educational issues.

Wrote abstract on this topic

Internet 2 Links

Internet 2 Main Site

Internet 2 At SUNY Binghamton

Internet 2 Digital Video Initiative

Internet 2 At Johns Hopkins University