Multicast channels for collaborative applications: design and performance evaluation

Abstract

This paper describes an architecture and communications system for supporting Group Support Systems (GSS) applications via the use of GSS Channel Objects. GSS applications enable group tasks such as co-authoring, communications, negotiation, problem solving, and system design to be performed. GSS Channel Objects facilitate the creation of GSS applications by providing virtual, multicast connections which parallel the meeting room metaphor of communications. This paper discusses the requirements, design, and implementation of GSS Channel Objects. This includes performance testing on Ethernet and Token Ring LANs.

References

1. {1} Chang, J. M., Maxemchuk, N.F., "Reliable Broadcast Protocols", ACm Transactions on Computer Systems, Vol 2, No. 3, pp 251-273.
2. {2} Chess, D.M., "A Tight Coupling of Workstations", IBM Systems Journal, Vol 23, No. 3, pp 255-263.
3. {3} Crowcroft, J., Paliwoda, K., "A Multicast Transport Protocol", Computer Communications Review, Vol 18, No. 4, pp 247-256.
4. {4} Dennis, A. R., George, J. F, Jessup, L.M., Vogel, D.R., "Information Technology to Support Electronic Meeting Systems", MIS Quarterly, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp 591-624, 1988.
5. {5} Eck, R., Goul, H., Philippakis, A., and Richards, S., "Group Operating Systems for Decision Factories of the Future: An Extended Relational GDSS Architecture," Working paper, Department of Decision and Information Systems, College of Business, Arizona State University.
6. {6} Ellis, C.A., Gibbs, S.J., and Rein, G.L. "Groupware: Some Issues and Experiences," Communications of the ACM, Vol 34, No. 1, Jan 1991, pp 38-58.
7. {7} Ellis, C.A., Gibbs, S.J., and Rein, G.L. "Concurrency Control in Groupware Systems." Proceedings of the 1989 ACM SIGMOD International Conference on the Management of Data, 1989.
8. {8} Greif, I., Sarin, S., "Data Sharing in Group Work", ACM Transactions on Office Information Systems, Vol. 5, No. 2., April 1987, pp. 187-211.
9. {9} Hayne, S. and Ram, S., "Multi-User View Integration System {(MUVIS)}: An Expert System for View Integration", Proceedings of the International Conference on Data Engineering, 1990, pages 402-409.
10. {10} Hughes, L., "A Multicast Interface for Unix 4.3", Software Practice and Experience, Vol. 18, No. 1, January 1988, pp. 15-27.
11. {11} Knister, M.J., Prakash, A., "DistEdit : A Distributed Toolkit for Supporting Mulitple Group Editors", Proceedings of CSCW'90, ACM, October 1990.
12. {12} Madsen, C. M., "Using Persistent Objects to Implement an Environment for Cooperative Work", SIGOIS Bulletin, Vol. 10, No. 4, Dec 1989, pp. 11-20.
13. {13} Melliar-Smith, P.M., Moser, L. E., Agrawala, V., "Broadcast Protocols for Distributed Systems", IEEE Transactions on Parallel and Distributed Systems, Vol. 1, No. 1, January 1990, pp 17-25.
14. {14} Pendergast, M. O., Vogel, D., "Design and Implementation of a PC/LAN-based Multi-User Text Editor", published in the proceeding of the IFIP WG8.4 Conference on Multi-User Interfaces and Applications, Heraklion, Crete, September 1990.
15. {15} Posner, I., Baecker, R., Mantei, M., "How People Write Together," Proceeding of the Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, January 1992.
16. {16} Ross, F.E., Fink, R.L., "FDDI - A LAN Amound MANs", ACM Computer Communications Review, Vol 20, No. 3, July 1990, pp. 16-31.
17. {17} ShrEdit Users Guide and Technical Description, Cognitive SCiences and Machine INtelligence Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, June 1990, pp 29-37.
18. {18} Stefik, M., Foster, G., Bobrow, D.G., Hahn, K., Lanning, S., and Suchman, L., "Beyond the Chalkboard: Computer Support for Collaboration and Problem Solving in Meetings," Communications of the ACM. Vol. 30, No. 1, 1987. pp. 32-47.

Index Terms

• Computer systems organization

  • Dependable and fault-tolerant systems and networks

• General and reference

  • Cross-computing tools and techniques

    • Performance

• Human-centered computing

  • Collaborative and social computing

• Networks

  • Network performance evaluation

  • Network properties

    • Network range

      • Local area networks

      • Wide area networks