Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm Interfacce avanzate per modelli di simulazione: un’applicazione all’impresa virtuale F. Fontana ENEA Usability

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm

Interfacce avanzate per modelli di simulazione: un’applicazione

all’impresa virtuale

F. Fontana

ENEA Usability LAB (CAMO), University of Rome, DI

Casaccia, 9th July 2004, Rome, Italy


Cyber Enterprise functionality and

Ptolemy II (Vergil) integration for

Virtual Component (VC) based simulation

Cyber Enterprise Visual Interfaces (CEVI)Cyber Enterprise Visual Interfaces (CEVI)

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Cyber EnterpriseCyber Enterprise Activity Plan

• Virtual Enterprise (VE) Model, Goals and Instruments

• User Requirements Analysis

• Technical Specifications according to the Usability Methodology

• Virtual Enterprise Architecture

• Virtual Enterprise Components (Modules)

• Virtual Enterprise General Management

• Web – DBs and Advanced Visual Interface (AVI)

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Virtual EnterpriseVirtual Enterprise

The term "virtual" usually stands for something that is seemingly existing despite the lack of some distinguishing attributes. Thus, for example "virtual reality" or "virtual products" do not have any physical structure. They are only existing in computers. For the observer the reality or the product is "existing in the mind, especially as a product of imagination" (American Heritage Dictionary). The term "enterprise" generally associates a bounded and durable object, consisting of people and buildings and basing on a legal framework.

Accordingly a virtual enterprise is an enterprise which is lacking some structural characteristics of real enterprises, but nevertheless functions like an enterprise in the imagination of the observer.


The terms Virtual Enterprise can be synonymous of Cyber Enterprise

because the (Sophocles, VISPO) Project objective is to offer advanced services specific of the Cyber Space by means of distributed computational simulation (VCs).

Virtual EnterpriseVirtual Enterprise

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm E-BusinessE-Business

Definizione IBM:

Un approccio sicuro, flessibile e integrato alla

creazione di un business dal valore aggiunto

tramite la combinazione di sistemi e processi

che gestiscono le operazioni primarie con la

semplicità e la diffusione rese possibili dalla

tecnologia di Internet


L’e-business comprende oltre all’e-commerce sia le applicazioni del FRONT END che quelle di BACK OFFICE

L’e-commerce è solo uno

degli aspetti dell’e-business

E-Commerce:E-Commerce:• marketingmarketing• venditevendite• acquistiacquisti• pagamentipagamenti• supportosupporto

via Internetvia Internet

E-Commerce:E-Commerce:• marketingmarketing• venditevendite• acquistiacquisti• pagamentipagamenti• supportosupporto

via Internetvia Internet

E-BusinessE-Business• E-CommerceE-Commerce

+ +

• Ridefinizione strategia competitivaRidefinizione strategia competitiva• Ridisegno processi di businessRidisegno processi di business• Integrazione delle catene del valore Integrazione delle catene del valore

dei dei Business PartnersBusiness Partners• Customer Customer connectionconnection• Cultura aziendaleCultura aziendale

E-BusinessE-Business• E-CommerceE-Commerce

+ +

• Ridefinizione strategia competitivaRidefinizione strategia competitiva• Ridisegno processi di businessRidisegno processi di business• Integrazione delle catene del valore Integrazione delle catene del valore

dei dei Business PartnersBusiness Partners• Customer Customer connectionconnection• Cultura aziendaleCultura aziendale

E-BusinessE-Business

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm La catena del valoreLa catena del valore

La scomposizione dei processi aziendali, secondo la catena del valore dell’informazione individuata da Porter (1985), consente di isolare le singole attività rilevanti, individuare eventuali punti deboli all'interno delle stesse ed adottare le strategie idonee per il miglioramento delle stesse in una ottica di creazione del valore per il cliente finale.

Produzione Logisticaentrata

Logisticauscita

Mktg Servizi

Catena del valore tradizionale di Porter

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm La nuova catena del valoreLa nuova catena del valore

L'azienda e-business supera questa concezione: la catena del valore non è più lineare e consequenziale, ma si sviluppa "a rete" e il valore creato trae origine dall'attività di più soggetti che operano e si coordinano grazie alle possibilità di interconnessione.La gestione efficace della catena del valore presuppone la condivisione in rete, a livello di distretto industriale, di alcuni processi aziendali fondamentali.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm La nuova catena del valoreLa nuova catena del valore

Produzione Logisticaentrata

Logisticauscita

Mktg Servizi

Catena del valore virtuale

Raccolta e gestione dell’informazione

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Modelli di catene del valoreModelli di catene del valore

canaliintegrati

esigenzedei

clienti

infrastrutturaprocessiflessibili

componentichiave

int. e di outsorce Prodotti

Modello di e-business, focus sul cliente (pull)

infrastruttura processi

rigidi

competenze chiave

interne Prodotti Canali Clienti

Modello aziendale tradizionale, focus sul prodotto/servizio (push)

Il capovolgimento della catena del valore: l’impresa diventa “centrata sul cliente”.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Modello dell’impresa virtualeModello dell’impresa virtuale

Un’Impresa Virtuale manca di una caratterizzazione fisica e strutturale tipica di un’impresa reale, ma tuttavia funziona come essa nell’immaginazione dell’osservatore.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Modello dell’impresa virtualeModello dell’impresa virtuale

Impiegati Clienti

Partners Fornitori

Modello tradizionale

Impiegati

Partners Fornitori

Clienti

Modello relazionale

Informazioni

E’ centrata sull’evoluzione dei processi di comunicazione delle imprese

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Processi collaborativi: EDIProcessi collaborativi: EDI

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): Interscambio elettronico, da

computer a computer, di informazioni commerciali strutturate. Si basa sullo standard ANSIX12(USA) o UNEDIFACT(ISO) ma non utilizza tecnologie Web.

Pregi:• Metodologia efficace e sicura;

• Semantica ben definita delle diverse relazioni di scambio tra le aziende, applicabile in qualsiasi settore commerciale e Paese.

Difetti:• Investimenti alti;

• Ambiente di lavoro a mainframe.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Processi collaborativi: XMLProcessi collaborativi: XML

XML (eXtensible Markup Language): • linguaggio adatto allo scambio di dati tra imprese, con una logica simile all’EDI;

• non è una tecnologia proprietaria.

• Usato in CEVI per definire il modelli dei VCs.

XML/EDI: • usare un messaggio EDI (secondo lo standard UN/EDIFACT) scritto in formato XML.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm StandardsStandards

CEVI è stato progettato in accordo con i seguenti standards:

• HTML;

• XML;

• XML/VOICE 2.0, MMIusare il testo per ascoltare messaggio audio (W3C Consortium, 2004) scritto in formato XML.

• ASP, JSP, JAVA, JDK 1.4.0, JMF 2.1;

• MACROMEDIA FLASH MX

• VMRL;


Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Il Progetto SOPHOCLESIl Progetto SOPHOCLES

Progetto SOPHOCLES“System level develOpment Platform

based on HeterOgeneous models and

Concurrent LanguagEs for System

applicantions implementation”.Scopo: raggiungere la validazione concettuale di metodologie, piattaforme e tecnologie che supportano l’integrazione e la programmazione, in ambiente distribuito, di sistemi complessi basati su Componenti Virtuali (VC) eterogenei.

VC:sono codici di simulazione che replicano il comportamento delle Intellectual Properties o IP (oggetti fisici come Controller, memorie flash, DSP, PLC, etc).

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Il Progetto VISPOIl Progetto VISPO


Cyber Enterprise Model & Networks

Extranet• communication and services• knowledge integration (partners, customer,etc.)• assistance

Extranet• communication and services• knowledge integration (partners, customer,etc.)• assistance

Intranet• internal communication• collaboration work

Intranet• internal communication• collaboration work

Internet• institutional and product communication• public relations• e-commerce

Internet• institutional and product communication• public relations• e-commerce

SophoclesCyber

Enterprise

SophoclesCyber

Enterprise

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Cyber EnterpriseCyber Enterprise

User Requirements and Multimedia Interface

User Requirements activity:

• User classes Identification • User working-groups for requirements definition

• Technical working groups for Virtual Component Demonstrations

• Technical resources identification and configuration

(Cyber Enterprise)

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Cyber EnterpriseCyber Enterprise

User Classification Criteria

• Frequency of use• Computer familiarity• Computer software expertise• User mental abilities• User physical abilities and skill

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Cyber EnterpriseCyber Enterprise User Classes

• End User • Visitor (Cyber Enterprise)

• Business User (Cyber Enterprise)• Technical User ( “ “ )

• Cyber Enterprise Manager• Web Cyber Enterprise Manager• Data Base Manager/Administrator• VCs Manager

(Internet User)

(Extranet User)

(Intranet User)


Meta Data Analysis

VCSUPPLIER

USER

VCsCOGNITIVE

INTELLIGENTADVISOR

CYBERENTERPRISE

Cyber EnterpriseCyber Enterprise


IntranetVC1

VC2

VC3

Suppliers

Virtual Components Advanced Communication

VC Integrated Design

InternetExtranet

Customer Registration(User Views)

Information Services

Server

Suppliers

ICAVC

Central DB

Users

Cyber Enterprise

Core

Client

Client

Vergil Advanced Visual Interfaces CEVI

Web & MultimediaDBs integrationWeb Searching

Active Matrix Web Site

Main Banner

CONSOLLE NEWS MultimediaCyber Services SPOT

VC Catalogue

VC Datasheet

VC Technical Doc

Multimedia Documents

Multimedia

Web Seminar

CooperativeWork

Training

Directories

Architettura generale della CEArchitettura generale della CE


a) Monitor resolution;

b) Screen subdivision in 5 functional areas (3*5 cells);

c) Vertical thematic subdivision. Each thematic area is divided horizontally;

d) Predefined matrix structure.The information are contained into the cells;

e) Information retrieval from related databases;

The web-db integration is based on:

MATRIX HR - WEB SITE STRUCTUREMATRIX HR - WEB SITE STRUCTURE

HRHR


HRHR

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm MATRIX HR - WEB SITE STRUCTUREMATRIX HR - WEB SITE STRUCTURE

The web-db integration is based on:

a) Monitor resolution;

b) Screen subdivision in 5 functional areas (3*5 cells);

c) Vertical thematic subdivision. Each thematic area is divided horizontally;

d) Predefined matrix structure.The information are contained into the cells;

e) Information retrieval from related databases;


Home PageWelcome

Home PageWelcome

ProjectInformation

ProjectInformation

GeneralInformation

GeneralInformation

Cyber Enterprise

Cyber Enterprise

TargetGroups

TargetGroups News

NewsMultimedia

Multimedia NetworkServices

NetworkServices

E-mail aE-mail a

E-mail aE-mail a

ODLCourses

User Regisration

Access

ODLCourses

User Regisration

Access

UtilitiesUtilities Users / DBs

Users / DBs

Forum & Audio Chat

Forum & Audio Chat

DepliantCalendar,FAQs

DepliantCalendar,FAQs

432 5 6 7 8

0

4.1

4.2

5.1

5.2

5.3

LinksLinks

9

TrailerTrailer

VideoVideo

FlashFlash

7.1

7.2

7.3

Technical Sections Customer Sections

PartnersTechnical Info

PartnersTechnical Info

31

CatalogCatalogConferences

Conferences

PublicDocumentation

PublicDocumentation

MATRIX - WEB SITE MAPMATRIX - WEB SITE MAP

Netseminar &NetLesson

Netseminar &NetLesson

StaffStaff

CoursesDocents

RegistrationSelection

NewsletterDocumentationManagement

CoursesDocents

RegistrationSelection

NewsletterDocumentationManagement


CORECORE

It is the main It is the main module.module.

It manages the web-It manages the web-db integration and db integration and

web siteweb sitestructurestructure

MATRIX - MODULESMATRIX - MODULES

CORECORE

NEWSNEWS

MULTIMEDIAMULTIMEDIALOGIN/ LOGIN/

REGISTRAREGISTRATIONTION

E-MAIL E-MAIL MANAGERMANAGER

WBDMSWBDMS

HOME HOME PAGE PAGE

MANAGERMANAGER

NET NET SEMINARSEMINAR

PUBLICATIONSPUBLICATIONS

CONGRESSCONGRESS

HTML, XML HTML, XML IVQSSIVQSS

NLSNLS

ProductionProduction

VCsVCsNET NET

LESSONLESSON


MULTIMEDIAMULTIMEDIA

It is the module It is the module manages the manages the

multimedia (add, multimedia (add, modify, delete and modify, delete and

visualisation).visualisation).

CORECORE

NEWSNEWS




WBDMSWBDMS

HOME HOME PAGE PAGE

MANAGERMANAGER



CONGRESSCONGRESS


NLSNLS

ON-LINE ON-LINE COURSESCOURSES

SI.A.SI.A.NET NET

LESSONLESSON

MATRIX HR - MODULESMATRIX HR - MODULES


CORECORE

NEWSNEWS




WBDMSWBDMS

HOME HOME PAGE PAGE

MANAGERMANAGER



CONGRESSCONGRESS


NLSNLS

ON-LINE ON-LINE COURSESCOURSES

SI.A.SI.A. NET NET LESSONLESSON

NET SEMINAR/LESSONNET SEMINAR/LESSON

It manages all information about It manages all information about the seminar and lesson and their the seminar and lesson and their

visualization (video and slides visualization (video and slides included)included)

Functions:Functions:

• sinchronous and sinchronous and asinchronous video asinchronous video streamingstreaming

• seminar / sesson data setseminar / sesson data set

• sinchronous and asinchronoussinchronous and asinchronous slide visualization / course links slide visualization / course links

• on-line questionson-line questions

NET SEMINAR DEMONET SEMINAR DEMO

MATRIX HR - MODULESMATRIX HR - MODULES


PC1 PC2 PCn

Users

Internet

Remote access56Kps

Web-cam

Real server

Real producer

Real player

DigitalTLC

56Kps56Kps

Ulab PC Laptop

U1 U2 Un

150 - 450 Kps

Sinchronous/Asinchronous Streaming

MATRIX HR - MATRIX HR - Global Multimedia SpecificationsGlobal Multimedia Specifications

Java Media Java Media ServerServer

Java Data Java Data ServerServer

Java Java ViewerViewer

Java Java ViewerViewer


Media Server

• Video preview

• Media player

• Recorder capture

• Streaming File

• Streaming Realtime: 1-n

MATRIX HR – JNetSeminar/JNetLessonMATRIX HR – JNetSeminar/JNetLesson

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm JNetSeminar Viewer ModuleJNetSeminar Viewer Module

Client Interface:

• Area Video• Area Seminaries• Area Slide• Area Chat

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm DYNAMIC ICON – AVIDYNAMIC ICON – AVI

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm ROOMS – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm AVI – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm AVI – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Virtual 3D MATRIXVirtual 3D MATRIX

EM Virtual Environments:

- Industry, CAMPUS, Research Center, Power Plants; - Virtual Laboratory;- Virtual Classroom;- Meeting Point, Administration, etc.;

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Problematiche di sviluppoProblematiche di sviluppo

JAVA(Applet, RMI, JDBC, SWING, Socket)

Drivers di 3° e 4° tipoinstallati sul lato server

Java Plug-In + JVM 1.4

Applicazione Java Server

JAVA (RMI, Socket) e CORBA

Strumento di SviluppoRete - DB - Interfaccia

Interfacciamento con i VCeterogenei e remoti

Accesso RDBMSEterogenei e remoti

Compatibilità Web Browser-Java

Restrizioni Applet Java

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Il ProgettoIl Progetto

Node ANode A

Application

Launcher

Network

THALESTHALES

PTII

PTII

Corba, TCP/IP, RMI

ENEAENEA

Socket, C++

Java, socket

TCP/IP

Node BNode B

Application

Launcher

Network

PhilipsPhilips

YAPI/System

C

LIFL/C++

Corba/Orbacus

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Ptolemy IIPtolemy II

• E’ stato realizzato il Modulo VEC per integrare nella Cyber Enterprise Ptolemy II;

• Ptolemy II è una piattaforma per la progettazione di modelli di simulazione scelta come riferimento standard per il Progetto SOPHOCLES;

Ptolemy II è stato progettato e realizzato nell’Università di Berkeley (California).




Cyber Enterprise

architecture and functionality

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm CE ArchitectureCE Architecture

AVIWeb

Client

Central Database

Local DatabaseWS 1,2,...,n

VC1

CommunicationManagerModule

Extranet

Browser

AVI

VC Manager & Interface

Interface & Setup

Interface & Setup

Interface & Setup

VC2 VCn

Advanced Visual InterfaceVERGIL

IF to Vergil

WS1 WS2 WSn

IntranetService

Network

Server

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm CE Advanced Visual InterfacesCE Advanced Visual Interfaces

Client

ServerWeb

Central

DB

AVI

VCs

Interface & Setup

DBIntelligent Advisor

Vergil - Comm

Browser

AdvancedWeb Searching

SystemVergil

Iconic VisualQuery System

Advanced Visual Interface

Browser

VC Manager & Interface

CommunicationManagerModule

WebAVI


Sim. MonitorCE, Status

Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface (CEVI)Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface (CEVI)

VC Interface Layout (Java Frames)

1 32 4

(1+2)x(3-2)+(10:5)= 8

-+

VC Selection

User Input, General Scritp,Parser

User ProfileAccountVC DATA & Set-up

Results VC Sessions

VC Graphical Rep.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Global ScenarioGlobal Scenario

WEB

Cyber Enterprise

DATABASE

CatalogoDoc. tecnica

Vendita, contratti

PHILIPSVCs, Server di VC, statistiche

ENEAHandshake VCs

LIFLVCs, Applicazioni su elab immagini

ESTEREL VCs

IPITEC VCs

Suppliers

ICAVC

Central DB

Users

CEVI

VC

VEC

MMAWMNETSEMINAR

Ptolemy IIVERGIL

VCM,CM

WBDMS

Altri

ENEABerkeley

LEGENDA

Gestione utenti

INTERFACCE

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm CE – PTolemyII Data ExchangeCE – PTolemyII Data Exchange

Actors Folder

Purchasing

User VCs

VC selection

Database

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm CE Modules – Vergil & VCs CE Modules – Vergil & VCs interactioninteraction

Vergil Cyber Enterprise VC providers- VC scheleton

- Vergil cfg files- Upload vergil models- VC setup

- VC configuration

- VC activation

- Simulation result

(XML files)

- Login to the CE- Download Vergil models

(XML files)


This machine contains the Cyber Enterprise site and the AVI interface that allow the user to interact with the CE and the remote VCs. This interaction is made by means:

• VCM: The Virtual Component Manager is a core module that manages information about the User and VCs involved in the simulation.

• Query Server (accessed via RMI): Java package that executes queries towards remote databases using JDBC drivers (provided by IDS Server).

(continue)

Go inside: Cyber Enterprise HOSTGo inside: Cyber Enterprise HOST


A global view

VC’s HOST

Process executor server

Cyber Enterprise HOST

AVIQuery serverIDS serverI/O server

DB’s HOST

Oracle/Access DBMS

User HOST

BrowserJRE 1.4PTolemy IIVEC

VCM


Go inside:Cyber Enterprise HOST (2)

• I/O Server: Java package that puts in communication a client side application (Vergil Enhanced Console) with the CE by exchanging messages over a Socket.


Go inside: DB HOST

• This machine contains only the databases used in the CE. They are enquired remotely using the Query Server package and IDS server.


Go inside: VC HOST

• This is a VC provider machine. Other than the Virtual Component, it contains a Process Executor Server that listens for a remote invocation.


Go inside: USER HOST

This is the user machine. Simply by using a web browser (with JRE 1.4 installed) he can perform a VC simulation. Moreover this machine could has:

• Ptolemy II (developed by the Berkeley Univ.): it is a Java application through which perform local simulation (by an internal simulation engine) and design VC Models (by means of Vergil tool).

•VEC (Vergil Enhanced Consolle, developed by ULAB): used to put in connection the user with the Cyber Enterprise.

(continue)


Go inside: USER HOST (2)

VEC allows the user to:

• configure Vergil’s actor panel with the actor purchased (not present in the standard Ptolemy library);

• Upload VC models from the user host to the personal CE folder

• Download VC models from the CE personal folder to the user host.

These operations require an authentication phase.


DEMO HW – SW configuration

Vergil CE - AVI VC providers

PIV 1.8 Ghz Linux RED HAT 7.3

- Master- Monitor- Arbiter- Requester 0- Requester 1- Trigger Generator

PIII dual processor 1 GHz

Windows 2000 server

Active Web MatrixVCMCM

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Introduction

AVICEVI-JA

Cyber Enterprise Visual InterfacePtolemy IIAVI to support model design

CEVI-JA ProviderCyber Enterprise Visual Interface for Provider user

Suppliers

ICAVC

Central DB

Users

CMVCM

Web Seminar

CooperativeWork

Training

VECVergil Enhanced Consolle

DB

VC server <A>

VC server <N> VCs

DB

VCs

CEVI-JA StaffCyber Enterprise Visual Interface for Staff user

Cyber Enterprise Core

Virtual Component Manager

CommunicationManager

Web

Multimedia

.

.

.


The Cyber Enterprise is accessible through the web siteThe Cyber Enterprise is accessible through the web sitewww.itea-sophocles.org, , developed with Active Web Matrix technologydeveloped with Active Web Matrix technology

• News;News;

News about new services, News about new services, functionalities or meeting functionalities or meeting are stored and posted on the are stored and posted on the web-site web-site

Web functionalities

• Web Based Document Web Based Document Management System; Management System;

A web based system to A web based system to organize, collect and show organize, collect and show project documentation.project documentation.

• Web seminar;Web seminar;

Seminar and conference Seminar and conference dissemination through the dissemination through the Web.Web.• Network services;Network services;

A collection of services A collection of services needed to manage the site needed to manage the site content and structurecontent and structure

• VC Catalogue;VC Catalogue;

A detailed list of VC, through A detailed list of VC, through which the user gains which the user gains information and buys VCs.information and buys VCs.

• CEVI InterfacingCEVI Interfacing

The visual interface The visual interface through which the userthrough which the useraccesses the remote accesses the remote environment to performenvironment to perform simulations.simulations.


Multimedia Database integration

Information flows among CE, Web, user and provider’s Information flows among CE, Web, user and provider’s VC server. These information, coming from VC server. These information, coming from heterogeneous and distributed CE – databases, are heterogeneous and distributed CE – databases, are managed to create the CE knowledge.managed to create the CE knowledge.

User DBUser DB

Multimedia DBMultimedia DB

Provider’s DBProvider’s DB

WebWeb


VC Server configuration

VCs, hosted on the provider’s machine, must be configured with:VCs, hosted on the provider’s machine, must be configured with:

a)a) Information (VC and connection links) about the model of Information (VC and connection links) about the model of the system the designer built (VC-net);the system the designer built (VC-net);

b)b) TCP-IP information about the machines hosting the VCs TCP-IP information about the machines hosting the VCs involved in the design.involved in the design.

c) Information about the SW component managing c) Information about the SW component managing communication and simulation results.communication and simulation results.

• Information (a) is derived by the XML file produced by the Information (a) is derived by the XML file produced by the Ptolemy II environmentPtolemy II environment• Information (b) and (c) are set by the CE through queries to Information (b) and (c) are set by the CE through queries to specific databases.specific databases.


Simulation User Interface environments

AVI

CEVI-JACyber Enterprise Visual Interface (Java Applet)

CEVI-JA ProviderCyber Enterprise Visual Interface for Provider user

Ptolemy IIAVI to support model design

VECVergil Enhanced Consolle

CEVI-JA StaffCyber Enterprise Visual Interface for Staff user

To build a VC To build a VC modelmodel

To put in connection PtolemyII with To put in connection PtolemyII with the Cyber Enterprise Server the Cyber Enterprise Server (models upload/download, Vergil (models upload/download, Vergil configuration, etc)configuration, etc)

To access remote To access remote simulation simulation environments, in order environments, in order to perform simulations.to perform simulations.

To monitor CE To monitor CE resources (in resources (in terms of users terms of users and VCs)and VCs)

To monitor To monitor provider resource provider resource (in terms of (in terms of machines and machines and VCs)VCs)


NewsNews PublicPublicdocumentdocument

User Registration

• The user registration is a preliminary step that allows the user to The user registration is a preliminary step that allows the user to access serveral Cyber Enterprise services;access serveral Cyber Enterprise services;

• The registration is user-profile modelled (End-user, Visitor, The registration is user-profile modelled (End-user, Visitor, Customer, Company, etc)Customer, Company, etc);;

• Different user-profile Different user-profile Different Different amount of information requestedamount of information requested;;• Different user profile Different user profile Different services allowed; Different services allowed;

Web Web seminarseminar

ShowShowroomroom

NetworkNetworkservicesservices

CEVICEVI

VC storeVC store

Registered Registered useruser

Registered Registered as customeras customerFree accessFree access

VC VC cataloguecatalogue


Provider Web Information set

Providers who desire to offer their simulation environment Providers who desire to offer their simulation environment have to furnish to the Cyber Enterprise a set of have to furnish to the Cyber Enterprise a set of information:information:• A VC card that specifies both general (Name, field of A VC card that specifies both general (Name, field of application, etc) and technical information (number of I/O application, etc) and technical information (number of I/O portsports with their AC specifics with their AC specifics, compatibility, compatibility with other VC, with other VC, etc);etc);• The IP addresses of the machine that hosts VCs;The IP addresses of the machine that hosts VCs;• How to locate the simulation result.How to locate the simulation result.

The CE will provide an application to allow communication The CE will provide an application to allow communication between provider’s machine and CE server.between provider’s machine and CE server.


CE-Ptolemy II integration

Ptolemy II Ptolemy II (Berkekey Univ.) is (Berkekey Univ.) is a stand-alone a stand-alone programprogram

The CE has The CE has a distributed a distributed architecturearchitectureVECVEC

Ptolemy II has been integrated with an additional Ptolemy II has been integrated with an additional module (VEC- Vergil Enhanced Consolle) that module (VEC- Vergil Enhanced Consolle) that allows direct communication between the client-allows direct communication between the client-machine (on which Ptolemy II is running) and CE machine (on which Ptolemy II is running) and CE machine (on which information about user, VC machine (on which information about user, VC model and VC location are stored)model and VC location are stored)


Conclusioni e futuri sviluppiConclusioni e futuri sviluppi



Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Test di usabilitàTest di usabilità

Metodologia:Circa 60 utenti scelti sulla base della metodologia di validazione ENEA/VENUS. utenti casuali (esterni al laboratorio), uso occasionale (scelti soprattutto nel contesto ENEA); utenti professionali, uso inerente alla propria attività lavorativa; utenti esperti, conoscitori del sistema o esperti in informatica (studenti).

Risultati:• Indice generale di accettazione dell’utente con un buono grado di usabilità;• Velocità di esecuzione e di presentazione dei risultati efficiente.


Starting DEMO


Vergil – CE Communication

Login buttonVergil configurationVergil model downloadVergil model upload


VC models and configuration

VC models created by Vergil are represented as XML filesVC models created by Vergil are represented as XML files

<?xml version="1.0" standalone="no"?><?xml version="1.0" standalone="no"?>

<!DOCTYPE entity PUBLIC "-//UC Berkeley//DTD MoML 1//EN"<!DOCTYPE entity PUBLIC "-//UC Berkeley//DTD MoML 1//EN"

"http://ptolemy.eecs.berkeley.edu/xml/dtd/MoML_1.dtd">"http://ptolemy.eecs.berkeley.edu/xml/dtd/MoML_1.dtd">

<entity name="model" <entity name="model" class="ptolemy.actor.TypedCompositeActor">class="ptolemy.actor.TypedCompositeActor">

…………....

This representation facilitates the exchange of data among This representation facilitates the exchange of data among the CE modulesthe CE modules

Each VC will be configured as soon as the XML file is Each VC will be configured as soon as the XML file is parsed in order to establish the network of components parsed in order to establish the network of components involved in the simulation and their I/O port.involved in the simulation and their I/O port.


CEVIVC selection VC & user information XML view

Session area Result area

Script area

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Conclusion

• Cyber Enterprise was tested with user groups in terms Cyber Enterprise was tested with user groups in terms of design support and cooperative work environment;of design support and cooperative work environment;• The CE’s testing phase has measured a high grade of The CE’s testing phase has measured a high grade of usability;usability;• Advanced visual interfaces has been integrated with Advanced visual interfaces has been integrated with the CE core and with web-database applications;the CE core and with web-database applications;• The CE platform is both Operating System and DBMS The CE platform is both Operating System and DBMS indipendent;indipendent;• AA reliable reliable and and VC systems VC systems have been have been developed developed during the project.during the project.


Thank you for your attention!


I moduli di CEVI: VCM I moduli di CEVI: VCM (Virtual Component Manager)(Virtual Component Manager)

Il Virtual Component Manager (VCM):

• permette l’integrazione fra Attori, Componenti Virtuali, utente e processi coinvolti nella fase di simulazione;

• è invocato tramite RMI da tutti i moduli della CE che richiedono l’accesso ai database (VEC, CEVI-JA, CM);

• utilizza una gestione ottimizzata delle connessioni, realizzata mediante l’uso di un “pool” di connessioni attive (connection pooling).

CEVI-JACM

VCMVEC


I moduli di CEVI: CM I moduli di CEVI: CM (Communication Manager)(Communication Manager)

Il Communication Manager (CM) svolge una funzione fondamentale nelle comunicazioni tra i VC e la CE nella fase di simulazione.

Funzioni:• riceve da VCM lista VC da attivare con i relativi parametri in linguaggio XML;

• mette in comunicazione tra loro i VC;

• attende il risultato;

• controlla situazione di errore e/o stallo;

• spedisce il risultato alla CE (VCM/CEVI-JA).

CEVI-JACM

VCMVEC


I moduli di CEVI: CEVI-JAI moduli di CEVI: CEVI-JA

La Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface – Java Applet è il pannello operativo a disposizione dell’utente per interfacciarsi con la Cyber Enterprise.

Mediante CEVI-JA l’utente può:• accedere alle risorse (Componenti virtuali acquisiti, i modelli di simulazione costruiti, ecc);

• configurare i VC in real –time, per mezzo di area di scripts;

• avviare la simulazione;

• ricevere il risultato della simulazione.

CEVI-JACM

VCMVEC



La sperimentazione e osservazione del sistema che si è realizzato, è stata messa continuamente in relazione agli utenti ed alla loro reazione, suggerimenti e richieste.

La risposta alla domanda “il sistema risponde alle specifiche iniziali del progetto e ai requisiti dell’utenza?” è stata data dall’uso diretto del sistema da parte dei progettisti di “System On the Chip”.



Creazione di interfacce multiple (o multimodali) in funzione dell’utente e del suo profilo:• utente finale (CEVI-JA);• staff;• provider.

Virtual district Internet-based Service Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrmPlatfOrm Introduction

• Sophocles - CE is anSophocles - CE is an aadvanced platform to manage dvanced platform to manage heterogeneous andheterogeneous and distributed simulation environment, distributed simulation environment, cooperative-works and communicationscooperative-works and communications;;

• It allows the aIt allows the access to remote environments and services ccess to remote environments and services through athrough a friendly and easy-to-use graphical interfacefriendly and easy-to-use graphical interface;;

• The knowledge is The knowledge is maintainedmaintained in secure system databases. in secure system databases.