GraphicsNet '95

Abstract

Every year demonstrations at the SIGGRAPH conference push the envelope in state-of-the-art graphics. In 1995, SIGGRAPH also pushed the envelope in networking by deploying a conference-wide, production ATM network. GraphicsNet, the conference network, consisted of 400 Ethernet-over-ATM connections and 100 directly attached ATM devices. GraphicsNet was one of the largest ATM backbone networks deployed to date. Using the latest hardware and software available, GraphicsNet provided a switched internet-work to met the requirements of the demonstrations and exhibits at SIGGRAPH 95.SIGGRAPH 95, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, required a network that would integrate voice, video, graphics and data all on one networking infrastructure. The GraphicsNet Team was formed to provide an advanced multi-gigabit-per-second network for the conference. In order to meet the requirements of the participants at SIGGRAPH 95, the combined efforts of FORE Systems, Inc., Hewlett Packard Labs and Pacific Bell were necessary to design and build a state-of-the-art network based on the evolving networking paradigm of switched internet-works. GraphicsNet's Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) based network provided the facility for remote collaboration at SIGGRAPH 95 for exhibitors, Interactive Communities, Interactive Entertainment, Digital Demo and many other locations within the Los Angeles Convention Center and throughout the world.The GraphicsNet'95 sub-committee wanted to push the envelope by pioneering two major applications utilizing the bandwidth available on the ATM network, the GraphicsNet access "kiosks" and the Digital Demo. The GraphicsNet access kiosks brought a VRML representation of SIGGRAPH 95 and full motion video to the attendees through kiosks located in the lobbies. Digital Demo provided participants a hands-on environment to learn about the digital studio process by building a digital studio at the LA Convention Center.GraphicsNet illustrates the evolution of social interaction by supplying high-bandwidth WAN connectivity to SIGGRAPH 95's diverse group of collaborators in the LA area, across North America, and around the world. Due to the nature of high-speed WAN's users were unaware of when they were accessing data on the Local Area Network (LAN) or on the Wide Area Network (WAN).