Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interfaces (CEVI)
Cyber Enterprise functionality and
Ptolemy II (Vergil) integration for
Virtual Component (VC) based simulation
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber 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 PlatfOrm
Virtual 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.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Virtual Enterprise
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 district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
E-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
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
E-Business
L’e-business comprende oltre
all’e-commerce sia le
applicazioni del FRONT END
che quelle di BACK OFFICE E-Commerce:
•
•
•
•
•
marketing
vendite
acquisti
pagamenti
supporto
via Internet
E-Business
• E-Commerce
+
• Ridefinizione strategia competitiva
• Ridisegno processi di business
• Integrazione delle catene del valore
dei Business Partners
• Customer connection
• Cultura aziendale
L’e-commerce è solo uno
degli aspetti dell’e-business
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
La 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.
Logisti
ca
entrata
Produz
ione
Logisti
ca
uscita
Mktg
Catena del valore tradizionale di Porter
Servizi
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
La 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 PlatfOrm
La nuova catena del valore
Logisti
ca
entrata
Produz
ione
Logisti
ca
uscita
Mktg
Raccolta e gestione dell’informazione
Catena del valore virtuale
Servizi
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Modelli di catene del valore
Il capovolgimento della catena del valore: l’impresa
diventa “centrata sul cliente”.
compete
nze
chiave
interne
infrastr
uttura
Prodotti
Canali
Clienti
processi
rigidi
Modello aziendale tradizionale, focus sul prodotto/servizio (push)
esigenze
dei
clienti
canali
integrati
Prodotti
infrastr
uttura
processi
flessibili
compon
enti
chiave
int. e di
outsorce
Modello di e-business, focus sul cliente (pull)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Modello 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 PlatfOrm
Modello dell’impresa virtuale
E’ centrata sull’evoluzione dei processi di
comunicazione delle imprese
Impiegati
Clienti
Impiegati
Clienti
Informazioni
Partners
Fornitori
Modello tradizionale
Partners
Fornitori
Modello relazionale
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Processi 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 PlatfOrm
Processi 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 PlatfOrm
Standards
CEVI è stato progettato in accordo con i seguenti standards:
• HTML;
• XML;
• XML/VOICE 2.0, MMI
usare 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 PlatfOrm
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Il 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 PlatfOrm
Il Progetto VISPO
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise Model & Networks
Internet
• institutional and product
communication
• public relations
• e-commerce
Extranet
• communication and services
• knowledge integration
(partners, customer,etc.)
• assistance
Sophocles
Cyber
Enterprise
Intranet
• internal communication
• collaboration work
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber 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 PlatfOrm
Cyber 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 PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise
User Classes
• End User
• Visitor (Cyber Enterprise)
(Internet User)
• Business User (Cyber Enterprise)
• Technical User ( “
“
)
(Extranet User)
•
•
•
•
Cyber Enterprise Manager
Web Cyber Enterprise Manager
Data Base Manager/Administrator
VCs Manager
(Intranet User)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise
Meta Data Analysis
VC
SUPPLIER
USER
CYBER
ENTERPRISE
COGNITIVE
INTELLIGENT
ADVISOR
VCs
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Architettura generale della CE
Users
Multimedia
Central DB
Training
Cooperative
Work
Web Seminar
ICA
VC
Suppliers
Web & Multimedia
DBs integration
Web Searching
Virtual Components
Advanced Communication
Server
Internet
Extranet
Intranet
Active Matrix
Web Site
Cyber
Enterprise
Core
Main Banner
VC1
VC2
VC3
CONSOLLE
NEWS
MultimediaCyber Services SPOT
Client
Directories
VC Catalogue
VC Datasheet
VC Technical Doc
Multimedia Documents
Customer Registration
(User Views)
Information Services
Vergil
VC Integrated Design
Advanced Visual Interfaces
Client
CEVI
Suppliers
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX 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;
HR
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
HR
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX 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;
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX - WEB SITE MAP
Home Page
Welcome
0
E-mail a
Links
E-mail a
Project 1
Information
Conferences
General 2
Information
3
3
Partners
Technical Info
Catalog
Cyber 4
Enterprise
Utilities
Target 5
Groups
4.1
ODL 4.2
Courses
User
Regisration
Access
Netseminar &
NetLesson
Public
Documentation
Technical Sections
News
6
9
7
Multimedia
Trailer
7.1
Forum & 5.2
Audio Chat
Video
7.2
Depliant 5.3
Calendar,FAQs
Flash
7.3
Users / DBs
5.1
Customer Sections
Network 8
Services
Staff
Courses
Docents
Registration
Selection
Newsletter
Documentation
Management
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX - MODULES
CORE
HOME
PAGE
MANAGER
NEWS
MULTIMEDIA
LOGIN/
REGISTRA
TION
PUBLICATIONS
CORE
HTML, XML
IVQSS
E-MAIL
MANAGER
WBDMS
CONGRESS
NLS
Production
NET
SEMINAR
VCs
NET
LESSON
It is the main
module.
It manages the webdb integration and
web site
structure
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX HR - MODULES
MULTIMEDIA
HOME
PAGE
MANAGER
NEWS
MULTIMEDIA
LOGIN/
REGISTRA
TION
PUBLICATIONS
CORE
HTML, XML
IVQSS
E-MAIL
MANAGER
WBDMS
CONGRESS
NLS
ON-LINE
COURSES
NET
SEMINAR
SI.A.
NET
LESSON
It is the module
manages the
multimedia (add,
modify, delete and
visualisation).
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX HR - MODULES
HOME
PAGE
MANAGER
NEWS
NET SEMINAR/LESSON
MULTIMEDIA
It manages all information about
the seminar and lesson and their
PUBLICATIONS
visualization (video and slides
included)
Functions:
HTML, XML
CORE
NET SEMINAR
DEMO
LOGIN/
REGISTRA
TION
E-MAIL
MANAGER
IVQSS
WBDMS
CONGRESS
NLS
• sinchronous and
asinchronous video streaming
• seminar / sesson data set
ON-LINE and asinchronous
• sinchronous
COURSES
slide
visualization / course links
SI.A.
• on-line questions
NET
SEMINAR
NET
LESSON
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX HR - Global Multimedia Specifications
Ulab
PC Laptop
Web-cam
Real server
Real producer
56Kps
Digital
TLC
Internet
56Kps
150 - 450 Kps
Sinchronous/Asinchronous Streaming
Java
Viewer
Java Media
Server
Java Data
Server
Real player
Remote access
56Kps
Users
Java
Viewer
PC1
PC2
PCn
U1
U2
Un
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
MATRIX HR – JNetSeminar/JNetLesson
Media Server
• Video preview
• Media player
• Recorder capture
• Streaming File
• Streaming Realtime: 1-n
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
JNetSeminar Viewer Module
Client Interface:
• Area Video
• Area Seminaries
• Area Slide
• Area Chat
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
DYNAMIC ICON – AVI
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
ROOMS – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
AVI – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
AVI – ADVANCED VISUAL INTERFACES
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Virtual 3D MATRIX
EM Virtual Environments:
- Industry, CAMPUS, Research
Center, Power Plants;
- Virtual Laboratory;
- Virtual Classroom;
- Meeting Point, Administration, etc.;
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Problematiche di sviluppo
Strumento di Sviluppo
Rete - DB - Interfaccia
JAVA
(Applet, RMI, JDBC, SWING, Socket)
Interfacciamento con i VC
eterogenei e remoti
JAVA (RMI, Socket) e CORBA
Accesso RDBMS
Eterogenei e remoti
Drivers di 3° e 4° tipo
installati sul lato server
Compatibilità
Web Browser-Java
Java Plug-In + JVM 1.4
Restrizioni
Applet Java
Applicazione Java Server
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Il Progetto
Node A
THALES
ENEA
Node B
Philips
Application
PTII
Socket,
C++
Application
YAPI/Sy
stem C
Launcher
PTII
Java,
socket
Launcher
LIFL/C++
TCP/IP
Network
Corba/Or
bacus
Network
Corba,
TCP/IP,
RMI
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Ptolemy 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).
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Ptolemy II
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Ptolemy II
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise
architecture and functionality
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CE Architecture
Server
Web
VC Manager
& Interface
AVI
Communication
Manager
Module
IF to Vergil
Extranet
Client
AVI
Advanced Visual Interface
WS1
WS2
Central
Database
Interface &
Setup
Interface &
Setup
Interface &
Setup
VC1
VC2
VCn
Intranet
Service
WSn Network
VERGIL
Browser
Local Database
WS 1,2,...,n
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CE Advanced Visual Interfaces
Server
Web
Web
Vergil - Comm
AVI
AVI
VC Manager
& Interface
Communication
Manager
Module
Interface &
Setup
VCs
Central
DB
Browser
Browser
Client
Advanced Visual Interface
Advanced
Iconic Visual
Web Searching
Vergil
Query System
System
Intelligent Advisor
DB
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface (CEVI)
VC Interface Layout (Java Frames)
1
2
3
VC Selection
4
User Profile
Account
VC DATA & Set-up
+
-
User Input, General Scritp,Parser
(1+2)x(3-2)+(10:5)= 8
Results
VC Sessions
VC
Graphical Rep.
Sim. Monitor
CE, Status
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Global Scenario
DATABASE
PHILIPS
VCs, Server di
VC, statistiche
UsersVC ICA
Central DB Suppliers
WEB
VC
MM
AWM
NETSEMINAR
Catalogo
WBDMS Doc. tecnica
Vendita, contratti
Gestione utenti
Cyber
Enterprise
VEC
LEGENDA
ENEA
Berkeley
Altri
ESTEREL
VCs
CEVI
Ptolemy II
VERGIL
INTERFACCE
IPITEC
VCs
LIFL
VCs,
Applicazio
ni su elab
immagini
ENEA
Handshake VCs
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CE – PTolemyII Data Exchange
Database
Actors
Folder
Purchasing
User
VCs
VC selection
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CE Modules – Vergil & VCs
interaction
Vergil
Cyber Enterprise
- VC scheleton
- Vergil cfg files
- Upload vergil
models
- Login to the CE
- Download Vergil
models
(XML files)
- VC setup
- VC configuration
- VC activation
VC providers
- Simulation result
(XML files)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Go inside: Cyber Enterprise HOST
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)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
A global view
User HOST
Browser
JRE 1.4
PTolemy II
VEC
DB’s HOST
Oracle/Access DBMS
VC’s HOST
Cyber Enterprise HOST
AVI
Query server
IDS server
I/O server
Process executor server
VCM
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
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.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
DEMO HW – SW configuration
Vergil
CE - AVI
PIII dual processor 1 GHz
Windows 2000 server
Active Web Matrix
VCM
CM
VC providers
PIV 1.8 Ghz
Linux RED HAT 7.3
- Master
- Monitor
- Arbiter
- Requester 0
- Requester 1
- Trigger Generator
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Introduction
ICA
Users VC
Multimedia
Central DB
Suppliers
Training
Cooperative
Web Seminar Work
DB
Cyber Enterprise Core
VCM
VC
. server <A>
VCs
.
.
CM
Virtual Component Communication
Manager
Manager
DB
Web
VC server <N>
VCs
CEVI-JA Staff
VEC
Vergil Enhanced Consolle
Cyber Enterprise Visual
Interface for Staff user
AVI
Ptolemy II
AVI to support model design
CEVI-JA Provider
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface
for Provider user
CEVI-JA
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Web functionalities
The Cyber Enterprise is accessible through the web site
www.itea-sophocles.org, developed with Active Web Matrix technology
News about new services,
• News;
• Web Based Document
Management System;
• Web seminar;
• Network services;
• VC Catalogue;
• CEVI Interfacing
functionalities or meeting
A web based system to
are stored and posted on the
organize, collect and show
web-site
Seminardocumentation.
and conference
project
A
collection of through
servicesthe
dissemination
needed
to list
manage
site
Web.
A detailed
of VC,the
through
content
and
structure
which
the
user
gains
The visual interface
information
andthe
buys
VCs.
through which
user
accesses the remote
environment to perform
simulations.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Multimedia Database integration
Multimedia DB
Provider’s DB
User DB
Web
Information flows among CE, Web, user and provider’s
VC server. These information, coming from
heterogeneous and distributed CE – databases, are
managed to create the CE knowledge.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
VC Server configuration
VCs, hosted on the provider’s machine, must be configured with:
a) Information (VC and connection links) about the model of
the system the designer built (VC-net);
b) TCP-IP information about the machines hosting the VCs
involved in the design.
c) Information about the SW component managing
communication and simulation results.
• Information (a) is derived by the XML file produced by the
Ptolemy II environment
• Information (b) and (c) are set by the CE through queries to
specific databases.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Simulation User Interface environments
To monitor CE
resources (in
terms of users
and VCs)
CEVI-JA Staff
Cyber Enterprise Visual
Interface for Staff user
Ptolemy II
AVI to support model design
AVI
To build a VC
model
VEC
Vergil Enhanced Consolle
To put in connection PtolemyII with
the Cyber Enterprise Server
(models upload/download, Vergil
configuration, etc)
CEVI-JA Provider
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface
for Provider user
CEVI-JA
Cyber Enterprise Visual Interface (Java
Applet)
To access remote
simulation
environments, in order
to perform simulations.
To monitor
provider resource
(in terms of
machines and
VCs)
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
User Registration
• The user registration is a preliminary step that allows the user to
access serveral Cyber Enterprise services;
• The registration is user-profile modelled (End-user, Visitor,
Customer, Company, etc);
• Different user-profile  Different amount of information requested;
• Different user profile  Different services allowed;
Show
room
News
VC
catalogue
Public
document
Free access
Network
services
Web
seminar
Registered
user
VC store
CEVI
Registered
as customer
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Provider Web Information set
Providers who desire to offer their simulation environment
have to furnish to the Cyber Enterprise a set of
information:
• A VC card that specifies both general (Name, field of
application, etc) and technical information (number of I/O
ports with their AC specifics, compatibility with other VC,
etc);
• The IP addresses of the machine that hosts VCs;
• How to locate the simulation result.
The CE will provide an application to allow communication
between provider’s machine and CE server.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CE-Ptolemy II integration
Ptolemy II
(Berkekey Univ.) is a
stand-alone
program
VEC
The CE has
a distributed
architecture
Ptolemy II has been integrated with an additional
module (VEC- Vergil Enhanced Consolle) that
allows direct communication between the clientmachine (on which Ptolemy II is running) and CE
machine (on which information about user, VC
model and VC location are stored)
Conclusioni e futuri sviluppi
Virtual district Internet-based
Service PlatfOrm
Virtual district Internet-based
Service PlatfOrm
Conclusioni e futuri sviluppi
Virtual district Internet-based
Test di usabilità Service PlatfOrm
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);
Risultati:
 utenti professionali, uso inerente alla propria attività lavorativa;
• Indice
generaleconoscitori
di accettazione
dell’utente
utenti esperti,
del sistema
o esperti in informatica (studenti).
con un buono grado di usabilità;
• Velocità di esecuzione e di presentazione
dei risultati efficiente.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Starting DEMO
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Vergil – CE Communication
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Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
VC models and configuration
VC models created by Vergil are represented as XML files
<?xml version="1.0" standalone="no"?>
<!DOCTYPE entity PUBLIC "-//UC Berkeley//DTD MoML 1//EN"
"http://ptolemy.eecs.berkeley.edu/xml/dtd/MoML_1.dtd">
<entity name="model"
class="ptolemy.actor.TypedCompositeActor">
……..
This representation facilitates the exchange of data among
the CE modules
Each VC will be configured as soon as the XML file is
parsed in order to establish the network of components
involved in the simulation and their I/O port.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
CEVI
VC selection
VC & user information
Script area
Session area
Result area
XML view
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Conclusion
• Cyber Enterprise was tested with user groups in terms
of design support and cooperative work environment;
• The CE’s testing phase has measured a high grade of
usability;
• Advanced visual interfaces has been integrated with
the CE core and with web-database applications;
• The CE platform is both Operating System and DBMS
indipendent;
• A reliable and VC systems have been developed
during the project.
Virtual district Internet-based Service PlatfOrm
Thank you for your attention!
Virtual district Internet-based
Service
PlatfOrm
I moduli di CEVI: VCM
(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).
VEC
VCM
CM
CEVI-JA
Virtual district Internet-based
Service
PlatfOrm
I moduli di CEVI: CM
(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).
VEC
VCM
CM
CEVI-JA
Virtual district Internet-based
Service PlatfOrm
I 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.
VEC
VCM
CM
CEVI-JA
Conclusioni e futuri sviluppi
Virtual district Internet-based
Service PlatfOrm
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”.
Conclusioni e futuri sviluppi
Virtual district Internet-based
Service PlatfOrm
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 PlatfOrm
Introduction
• Sophocles - CE is an advanced platform to manage
heterogeneous and distributed simulation environment,
cooperative-works and communications;
• It allows the access to remote environments and services
through a friendly and easy-to-use graphical interface;
• The knowledge is maintained in secure system databases.