Real-time Networked
Desktop Distribution
Evolving from dedicated
DVI/KVM switching to real-time
networked visualization
Content
Introduction
Traditional KVM vs Real-Time IP
Transitioning to an IP solution
Capabilities for Mission Command
Conclusion
Kevin O’Brian/US Navy Kevin O’Brian/US Navy
INTRODUCTION
Mission-critical systems for C4ISR involve multiple operators interacting via multiple displays with multiple computers. While commercial IT technology offers flexible remote desktop capabilities using standard IP networks, operational display systems often utilize dedicated video and desktop switching equipment to achieve real-time performance. This approach, however, places limitations on system flexibility, collaboration with other systems, and technology insertion for advanced capabilities and
sustaining.
Barco’s Nexxis Media Network Solutions offer real-time interaction, lossless imagery, secure connections, and high system availability using standard 10Gb Ethernet networks. Using open-system IP networks for distributing computer video, USB devices, and audio brings several advantages for agile reconfiguration, interoperability between systems, and integration of new equipment and capabilities; all resulting in reduced total cost of ownership. 10/40GbE has become the baseline for data centers and uncompressed video streaming over 10GbE provides a cost-effective means for achieving near-zero latency for real-time, interactive remote desktops.
TRADITIONAL KVM
KVM (Keyboard/Video/Mouse) switching enables an operator to control multiple computers from one set of HMI (Human-Machine Interface) devices. User devices include one or more displays, USB input devices (such as
keyboard/mouse/multi-touch), and audio
(speakers/headset/microphone). Using switch matrices, multiple operators can be connected to multiple computers, normally controlling one computer at a time. Operators can redirect controls between computers and can often monitor the screens controlled by others.
Traditional KVM equipment consists of centralized DVI, USB, and audio switching equipment with dedicated cabling to each computer and operator HMI. Fiber extenders provide long distance connections for remote computers and users. Therefore, a typical KVM system for an operations center may include one or more central switching units as well as one or more extenders for each operator and for each computer.
This can involve relatively expensive and complex central switching equipment along with relatively low cost endpoint adapters. At first glance, this approach seems reasonable since we often need only one switch, but must have endpoint equipment for each user and computer. Central switching costs, however, tend to grow exponentially with the number of connections. Also, multiple adapters, adapter types, and cables may be needed to make all the necessary connections between an HMI and the central switch. Adding additional users, additional computers, redundant connections for high availability, or advanced video capabilities feeds the exponential cost increases.
In other words, selecting the optimum traditional KVM switching equipment and system design is often highly dependent on a specific system configuration. Flexibility for reconfiguration, expansion with more endpoints or new device types, break-out to other systems, and future technology insertion are not always well served.
Servers
Each Client Video/USB/Audio
Matrix Switch(es) Fiber Extender(s) or
direct connections for each server
Fiber Extender(s) or direct connections
for each client Integrated, modular, or
independent switching units with direct or extended interfaces Extenders for
multi-DVI, multi-USB, and bi-directional audio are available in a variety of combinations Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes multiple displays, UBS devices, and bi-directional audio Servers Each Client Ethernet Switch A Nexxis module
for each server Standard 10GbE A Nexxis module for each client Multi-DVI,
multi-USB, and bi-directional audio are supported by a single Nexxis module Human Machine Interface (HMI) includes multiple displays, UBS devices, and bi-directional audio Traditional DVI/KVM switching
Networked visualization using real-time IP
REAL-TIME IP
In contrast, KVM-over-IP involves common standard Ethernet switches with network adapters for each operator HMI. Central switches leverage commercial IT technology and readily support cost effective integration,
reconfiguration, and growth. Common standard cabling can be used for all endpoints and multiple devices, and device types can connect via a single cable. Additional endpoints and new device types can be easily added, often without any changes to the central switching system. Networked endpoint adapters can subscribe to multiple sources for monitoring or interacting with multiple computers
simultaneously from one HMI with multiple displays. Barco’s Nexxis solutions utilize uncompressed video over 10GbE to provide the same real-time lossless performance as dedicated DVI or HD-SDI video switching equipment. Furthermore, using standard network connections also enables the addition of advanced capabilities such as complex compositing, system recording, or other media processing services. These can be attached to the network without any impact on existing equipment.
The benefits of an IP-based approach include:
• Cabling – A single, common copper/fiber cable carries all video, controls, and bi-directional audio between central switch and remote endpoints.
• Scalable, configurable, expandable – Additional
endpoints and channels are easily integrated using spare ports or additional standard network switches.
• Tech insertion – Additional networked media processing services can be added without configuration changes to the baseline system.
• LAN/WAN distribution – Hard real-time LAN performance is complemented by low-bandwidth
Table 1 - Traditional vs Nexxis IP-based capabilities
DVI/KVM switch Nexxis
Remote monitoring
Multiple displays Some models 2 displays standard 3 displays optional Remote desktop
control
Single active
client/server connection
“Per display” active client/server
connections
Lossless video
Near-zero latency
Real-time interaction
USB devices Keyboard, mouse, others Keyboard, mouse, multi-touch, others Bi-directional Audio (headset/mic) Some models
Equipment Central video, USB, audio switch
Standard Ethernet switch
Video compositing N views per system N views per client Local
Computer-to-HMI by-pass
NA Active local operation
and fail-safe pass-thru
Wide area distribution NA
Recording NA
Media Redirection NA
Redundancy Double equipment Dual network ports for each endpoint
• Recording – Multi-channel, synchronous recording of all compressed streams is supported via a single unit. • Media Redirection – Streaming video available on the
network can be composited at the client, reducing the load for media processing at the servers.
• Redundancy – Dual network connections and switches, as well as automated fail-over modes, are supported for fail-safe operation.
• Evolution toward SOA – Optional local connections between computers and HMI support the evolution from workstations to consolidated servers and/or service-oriented computing using the same HMI equipment.
Figure 2 – Crew station evolution to consolidated servers and a service-oriented system follows commercial computing technology trends
TRANSITIONING TO AN
IP SOLUTION
For systems currently using DVI/KVM switching equipment, an IP solution can be integrated via one-to-one
replacement of each component. A rack-mounted central switch matrix can be replaced with a 1U 24 or 48-port 10GbE switch from a variety of vendors. End-point
modules or multiple fiber adapters can be replaced with a Nexxis module or 1U rack-mount dual module assembly. Also, existing fiber cabling may be re-useable as is.
For systems looking to add new capabilities for desktop switching, a phased technology insertion approach may be beneficial. Nexxis modules can be configured to add
remote desktop and collaboration capabilities to existing workstations or thin clients. These compact modules or rack-mount units connect in-line on the DVI/USB/audio cabling between the local computer and
displays/devices/headset/microphone. No equipment, setup, or software changes are needed.
Using Nexxis modules, local workstation desktops can be streamed to the network and monitored or controlled from any other operator position. Remote operator positions can be received over the network and displayed or controlled locally. A variety of viewing capabilities, such as picture-in-picture or quad-view compositing of multiple remote
sources, are also supported by each module. Additionally, each Nexxis module supports fail-safe local workstation operation, even with the power disconnected, as well as dual 1/10GbE ports for redundant network connections.
With Nexxis equipment in place, workstation computing systems can evolve independently from the crew station
HMI, following commercial IT trends toward server
consolidation. Without a local computer, Nexxis becomes a real-time zero client and supports access to computer desktops with real-time interaction and lossless quality from anywhere on the network.
Data Network Workstation Video Audio Media Network Nexxis Nexxis Remote Servers Work station or Thin Client Zero Client Nexxis
USB Video USB Audio
Figure 3 - Nexxis adds networked visualization capabilities to existing workstations and enables computing equipment to evolve independently from the crew station HMI
NEXXIS
HIGHLIGHTS FOR MISSION COMMAND
Barco’s Nexxis Media Network Solutions provide the following for mission-critical systems:
Performance
Lossless imagery - Pixel perfect quality for text, graphics, HD video, radar, and sonar by using uncompressed video distribution over 10GbE.
Near-zero latency - Standard 10GbE supports video distribution and deterministic interaction with sub-frame latency.
Hybrid encoding - Compression can be applied parallel to any/all screen sources for low-bandwidth streaming.
Capabilities
Real-time remote desktops - Any operator can monitor or control any computer source. Multiple remote desktop sources can be connected to a single operator. Servers can also be shared between multiple operators.
Collaboration - The screen content from any crew station can be shared with other operators for software independent collaboration. Screen content from multiple users can be shared simultaneously to remote/large area displays for collaboration.
Multi-head - Multiple screens per crew station can be supported with bi-directional audio and user input devices including keyboard, mouse, and multi-touch screens.
Recording - Using compressed streams, all computer, sensor, and screen information can be recorded by networked services for training and after-action-review without any impact on real-time system performance.
Software clients - Compressed streams can be viewed using software clients on any PC or laptop.
LAN/WAN distribution - Compressed streams can be routed to 10/100/1000 Base-T networks for LAN distribution across the operational site or WAN distribution to remote facilities for live or recorded collaboration.
Media redirection – Standard streaming video available on the network can be decoded and composited by each client, avoiding the need for servers to integrated video streams into each desktop.
Media/System Management - Management Server/Software provides an API for integrating simplified system configuration and management with customer applications.
System Benefits
Scalability - Small or large systems are readily supported using open standard components.
Agility - Rapid system reconfiguration is supported by modular components under software control.
High availability – Mission assurance can be achieved through redundant network connections and automated failover modes with little additional cost.
Security – Information assurance is supported through secure streaming and administration.
CONCLUSION
Barco’s Nexxis products provide a technology insertion solution for dedicated DVI, KVM, or other Audio/Visual (AV) switching systems. Existing DVI switching systems can be upgraded to a real-time IP system or new
capabilities for desktop sharing and collaboration can be integrated into existing computing systems. Once
integrated, computer technology insertion can evolve independently of the crewstation HMI.
Leveraging commercial IP networking and computing technology trends provides significant lifecycle cost and advanced capability benefits. Utilizing standard 10GbE provides the near-zero latency and lossless image quality required for mission-critical real-time systems, along with the flexibility, interoperability, and future-proof qualities of open system IP networking.
For more information, contact
Barco nv Pres. Kennedypark 35, B-8500 Kortrijk Europe, Middle-East, Africa: +32 56 26 20 09 Latin America: +55 11 38421656 India: +91 120 4020000 Japan: +81 3 5762 8727 [email protected]
Barco Federal Systems 3059 Premiere Parkway, Suite 100 Duluth, Georgia, 30097-4905, USA Phone: +1 678 475 8080 [email protected]
