Deploying networked CD-ROM services in a research institute: a case study

Abstract

This paper describes the advantages of CD-ROM networking. It discusses the different networking models available for deploying networked CD-ROM services. This paper states the set of specifications selected to implement the networked CD-ROM services in Tata Energy Research Institute and the approach taken to meet these. It also lists the CD-ROM titles made available through the networked CD-ROM services.

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Satish Kumar: Fellow at the Centre for Information Technology, Tata Energy Research Institute, New Delhi, India

The Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) is a not-for-profit research and development institution based in New Delhi, India, which works primarily in the field of energy, environment, and sustainable development. Over the past two years, TERI has developed its networking infrastructure, called TERInet, which is a local area networking (LAN) facility that connects all desktop, printers, and other peripherals. TERInet runs on a Compaq Proliant 1500R server, a Pentium 133Mhz, 96MB RAM, 16.3GB hard disk storage in hot pluggable redundant array for fault tolerance, and 4/16GB DAT tape backup system with Novell NetWare 4.1 as the Networking Operating System (NOS), connecting more than 200 desktop and 300 users spread over seven floors in the main building and the Library Block (connected with a fiber link). As part of TERInet services, it was planned to deploy network-based CD-ROM services to provide access to databases, journals, and other reference material. The following specifications were laid down for the networked CD-ROM services:

- The CD-ROM server software should be NetWare 4.1 tested, approved, and support the Novell Directory Services (NDS).

- Preferably the CD-ROM server software should not have any NLMs to be loaded on a NetWare file server.

- DOS and Windows clients should not load any terminate-and-stay- resident (TSR) program to access networked CD-ROM services.

- The CD-ROM server software should support the clients based on DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95 platforms.

- CD-ROM services should function even when main NetWare file server is down.

To meet these specifications the author researched and investigated a number of solutions to deploy CD-ROM in a networked environment. This paper describes the approach and the actual implementation.

Why network a CD-ROM?

CD-ROMs have rapidly emerged as the network data distribution method of choice for a number of reasons, including the medium's capacity to store huge amounts of data (up to 640MB), as well as its durability and portability. Random access and formatting standards also makeCD-ROMs an attractive option. The CD-ROM is also one of the few universal storage media whose files can be read by most popularcomputer platforms including DOS, OS/2, Windows, UNIX, and Macintosh.

Integrating CD-ROMs into a network offers many advantages, the major benefits of which are described below.

Cost savings

Substantial savings are possible by sharing both the CD-ROM drives and the purchased information on the network. Often, it is the purchased information that offers greater savings. When an information package comes as a set of CDs, the justification for sharing them on the network is even greater. If the CD-ROM is not available on the network, then users must first locate the CD and then walk to the PC that has a CD-ROM drive to access the information. This problem is compounded when the required information is scattered over many CDs. With a library of CD-ROMs, the problem and the complexities increase geometrically.

One can deal with this problem by buying several CD stations and multiple copies of the CD-ROM library, but a network can avoid such wasteful duplication in the first place.

By eliminating the need for users to leave their workstations in order to get to the information they need, both time and effort are saved and productivity improved; and increasedproductivity means further savings.

Management

Having just one copy of each CD-ROM helps to manage and control the CD- ROM resources more efficiently. It is no longer necessary to monitor many sets of the same CD at multiple locations or to keep a record of borrowed CDs.

Security

A CD-ROM server on the network offers greater control of data and who can access it. Unlike using CD-ROMs on stand-alonestations, the network's security scheme allows regulation of user-access to specific information, based on authorization.

Networking model for the CD-ROM

Peer-to-peer networking model

In peer-to-peer networking model, microcomputers are linked to one another with Network Interface Cards (NIC) and cables, drawing on the collective processing power and hard disk storage of all the individual peers (workstations). The CD-ROM drive/CD-jukebox may be connected to all workstations or only to selected workstations. Any individual workstation that provides access to CD-ROM services to other workstations becomes a CD-ROM server. A peer-to-peer operating system is normally a random access memory (RAM)-based software loaded on each peer workstation. The peer-to-peer network software interprets the request for CD-ROM access from workstations and sends it to the CD-ROM server, which fulfils the request. Some of the popular operating systems have built in peer-to-peer communication capabilities.e.g. Novell DOS, Windows 3.11, Windows 95, and OS/2. A number of networking operating systems have the peer-to-peer capabilities and popular among these are PowerLAN, LANtastic, etc.

Peer-to-peer communication works best in smaller workgroups, where the network is closely controlled and very little change is required in an existing networking environment. It is an inexpensive way to start, though performance is affected because of its low speed.

Client-server networking model

In a client/server networking model, processes are divided between the client computer and the server computer. This relationship is based on a series of requests and responses. A client requests services or information from another computer (the server computer) and server responds to the client's request by sending the results of the request to the client computer.

In a client/server setting, the client computer runs a software application called a client program, which allows a computer to act as a client. The client program:

- enables the user to send a request for information to the server;

- formats the request so that the server can understand it; and

- formats the response from the server in a way that the user can read.

The server computer runs a software application called a server program, which allows a computer to act as a server. The serverprogram:

- receives a request from a client and processes the request; and

- responds by sending the requested information to the client.

The following approaches can be used to set up a client-server networking model for networked CD-ROM services

Adding CD-ROM serving capabilities to an existing file server

When CD-ROM serving capabilities are to be added to an existing file server the CD-ROM drives /CD-jukebox is directly connected to the file server. A software component called CD-ROM server software is loaded on the file server, which interprets the requests for CD-ROM access and transmits the data back to the requesting workstation. This is one of the less expensive approaches to adding CD-ROM capabilities to a network.

Another method is based only on software. This software reads the entire contents of a CD-ROM and transfers them to the hard disk of the file server. The end-user then directly accesses the CD-ROM information. However, a hard disk is much more expensive than a CD-ROM and this approach is rarely chosen.

Dedicated CD-ROM server

A dedicated server computer performs only one function for users - namely to provideCD-ROM access to end-users. It performsCD-ROM access, data request fulfilment, and management functions. In terms of performance, the number of CD-ROM drives, and the capacity of jukeboxes, this is possibly the best approach.

It is also a very expensive approach. A dedicated server allows company-wide CD-ROM control by the network administrator. A major drawback of this approach is that some of the CD-ROM titles are not network-ready and continue to look for an internal drive.

CD-ROM solutions

At TERI, the dedicated CD-ROM server model was selected for implementation, primarily due to falling hardware prices and being one of the laid down specifications. A Pioneer 1804X, an 18-disc CD-ROM jukebox was bought. The choice was dictated by the need for random access by the end-users to a vast amount of information. Our next priority was to look for a CD-ROM server software that could satisfy our remaining specifications. The following CD-ROM server software was considered:

- CD-Net[registered] Plus Software (Meridian Data).

- DiscView (Microtest).

- CD-View (Ornetix Network Technologies).

- CD-Manager (SciNet).

After researching all the details and taking into consideration the availability of a trial version, we chose CD-View by Ornetix Network Technologies. A five-user trial version of CD-View was downloaded and deployed for testing. Except NDS support, the overall performance of CD-View proved satisfactory.

TERInet CD-ROM server configuration

Hardware

Pioneer DRM1804-X CD-ROM jukebox

Pioneer DRM 1804-X is a quadruple-speed, 18-disc CD-ROM jukebox. It can hold more than 11 gigabytes of data. It houses three CD-size-pack cartridges and switches between discs in seconds. It can access audio CDs at regular speeds and multimedia titles at double speed. The jukebox is rated for transfer of up to 600 kilobits per second (kbps)- twice the speed of most MPC2 (Multimedia Personal Computer 2) drives. Like any MPC-compliant CD-ROM drive, the DRM 1804-X supports the three standards: Red Book for audio, Yellow Book for reading CD-ROM data, and Orange Book for reading data written during multiple sessions.

Dedicated personal computer

The configuration of the personal computer was as follows: an 80386 microprocessor, 33MHz speed, 4MB RAM, running DOS 6.21, with NetWare workstation driver (VLM) installed.

Software

Ornetix CD-View CD-ROM server software

CD-View is a terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program. It is specifically designed to address the unique characteristics andrequirements of CD-ROMs. By installingCD-View on one of the workstations in LAN, it can be turned into a new server supporting the sharing of CD-ROM disks over the network. To users, this CD-ROM server appears as anotherNetWare server.

CD-View is server software. The client workstations use only the NetWare shell that is already loaded on their workstations to connect to LAN.

Recently, Ornetix Network Technologies have made a free five-user licence version of CD-View, which can be downloaded from their website (http://www.ornetix.com).

CD-ROM access user interface

The user interface to access CD-ROMs in this networked environment was developed using Novell NetWare's menu-building features. This interface is completely menu-driven and provides the options to login(out) into CD-ROM server, to select(map) CD-ROMs, and to access help on how to install and use CD-ROM titles.

CD-ROM titles

The following CD-ROM titles are available through networked CD-ROM services. These are briefly described below.

World Atlas

Geography, people, education, health, government, crime, economy, agriculture, communication and travel. Published by The Software Toolworks, Inc.

Air CHIEF

The AirCHIEF (Clearing House for Inventories and Emission Factors) database consisting of information on air pollutants and emission sources consolidated from published reports and databases of the United States Environment Protection Agency (USA EPA). Published by US-EPA.

Business and environment

Information on corporate strategy, international markets, technology and investment. Published by Mullins Media Ltd, Canada.

CDIAC's Numeric Data Package Collection(Vols. 1 and 2)

(1) Atmospheric trace gas measurements.

(2) Long-term temperature and precipitation records.

(3) Global and national CO[sub]2 emissions from burning of fossil fuels. Published by Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Centre (CDIAC) at OakRidge NationalLaboratory.

Energy and Environment 1984-87, 88-91, 92-95, Jan-Dec 1996 (Vols. 1-4)

A bibliographic database on energy and environmental engineering, a subset of Dialog's online File 8, Ei COMPENDEX*PLUS.Published by Knight Ridder Information, Inc.

UNFCCC Secretariats Web site on CD-ROM

Official documents of the Conference of the Parties, Subsidiary Bodies, and the ad hoc groups available at as of 5 July 1996. In-depth reviews and summaries of national communications, etc. Published by CC:INFO.

GREENTIE Directory 1996

Profiles and contact details of suppliers of greenhouse gas technology expertise andequipment, which are ready to play a role in international cooperation. Published by EPMS bv Maastricht.

RoundUp of World Energy Council 1995

Proceedings of the 16th Congress of the World Energy Council held in Tokyo. Published by World Energy Council.

The 1995 Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia

Complete text of all 21 volumes of Grolier's Academic American Encyclopedia, plus pictures, maps, animations, videos, timelines, sounds, and much more. Published by Grolier Incorporated.

Conclusion

An independent server architecture is thus an effective solution to the problem of providing CD-ROM networking for the following reasons:

- An independent server can appear as a file server in each environment served, thereby allowing use of the product in a familiar environment and without training.

- An independent server is the only plug-and-play solution.

- The independent server can be cost-optimized for the task at hand. While it does not leverage existing hardware, this dedicated hardware can be provided inexpensively.

- An independent server can support multiple protocols simultaneously.

- An independent server does not utilize file server resources and does not require access to the file server for installation or operation. The network is not affected, even during installation.

- Independent servers can be located throughout the network for departmental access, or in a centralized location, if desired, for management and security reasons.

With an independent server, the hardware can be designed and installed to matchthe performance requirements of theenvironment.

- An independent server can be located on the LAN segment where it is used, thereby minimizing request and data traffic over other LAN segments or WAN links.

Finally for the users, having access to an e-mail facility would mean that subscribing to an electronic forum called CDROMLAN is very useful. The details on CDROMLAN are given in the Appendix.

Deploying networked CD-ROM services in a research institute: a case study

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