The Role of Multicasting in Managing Interactive Multimedia Distance Learning Systems [Vol. 5, No. 3, 1997]

The Role of Multicasting in Managing Interactive Multimedia Distance Learning Systems

H. Abdel-Wahab
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Va 23529
Email: wahab_AT_cs.odu.edu

K. Maly
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Va 23529
Email: maly_AT_cs.odu.edu

E. Stoica
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Va 23529
Email: stoic_e_AT_cs.odu.edu

A. Youssef
Department of Computer Science
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Va 23529
Email: youssef_AT_cs.odu.edu

Abstract
This paper discusses the important role of multicasting in designing, implementing, and managing interactive multimedia distance learning systems. This is achieved in the context of IRI, an Interactive Remote Instruction system for distance learning built at Old Dominion University. IRI is an Internet-based system which integrates continuous multimedia, shared applications and a variety of multi-user collaborative utilities. In this paper we concentrate on the process architecture and dynamic multicast group handling as they pertain to managing multimedia resources and show how they support robustness and short response time to user actions. IRI uses raw IP multicasting for audio and video streams and reliable multicasting for resource management and data sharing. The system is scalable (uses multicast for inter-process communication) and expandable (it is partitioned into a set of autonomous but cooperating components

Keywords: Managing Multimedia Resources, Applications of Multimedia in Distance Learning, Multicasting, Distributed Systems.

JNSM: Vol. 5, No. 3, 1997 The Role of Multicasting in Managing Interactive Multimedia Distance Learning Systems [Vol. 5, No. 3, 1997]

NOTE: only abstract of paper available on-line

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