Isabel 4.11 Quick Guide

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This page is intended to help newcomers to participate in an Isabel session.

Contents

[edit] Updating to Isabel v5 (4.12.x) preliminary version

In order to obtain the latest Isabelv5 (4.12.x) preliminary version, please proceed as follows:

Add the following line to your Ubuntu repositories list:

This can be done inside the application Synaptic Package Manager, from System-Administration menu, or by adding the repository line to the file: /etc/apt/sources.lst

Then use the Isabel update feature from menu Applications-Isabel-Utilities-Isabel update to download and install the new version automatically.

[edit] Download, Install and Run Isabel 4.11

Isabel 4.11 is distributed as Live Ubuntu Isabel (LUI) that runs without hard disk installation and can run Isabel on PCs with Windows, or even with no OS installed. Current supported LUI removable media are CDs, DVDs and USB Sticks. We recommend to use USB sticks as they give better performance and allows for storage of customizations and Isabel updates.

[edit] Hardware Requirements

The latest (15th January 2009) Isabel 4.11 LUI is based on the Ubuntu Intrepid Linux distribution. Isabel is also compatible with Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron), but previous Ubuntu versions are not supported. The PC Hardware to run Isabel must be supported by this Ubuntu distribution. The PC running Isabel must have the following configuration:

  • CPU: Pentium IV 1.4 GHz or more
  • RAM: 1Gbyte of RAM
  • Sound Card and microphone: full duplex interface. Session or flow servers do not need sound card. Find here a very good and cheap microphone choice for small groups which connects directly to "mic in".
  • Graphic VGA Controller: 1024x768 resolution is used in typical Isabel sessions.
  • Video interfaces: video cards or Webcams supported in (Ubuntu Intrepid). Additional useful information about supported Webcams can be found here and here.
  • Network Interface: a 10 Mbps Ethernet is enough to connect to a session. Servers or FSs may need more, i.e. a 100 Mbps Ethernet interface.

[edit] Create the removable media

Figure 1: Isabel Commands
Figure 1: Isabel Commands

The LUI image (about 700 Mbyte) should be downloaded and used to burn on the chosen removable media. A thorough LUI installation guide can be found here. For quick access to specific LUI media creation use this table:

Choose your OS and removable media
Windows Linux MacOS
CD/DVD CD/DVD in progress
USB USB in progress

[edit] Boot from the removable media

When the LUI has been burned on to the removable media, insert it in the PC and boot from it. Follow your BIOS instructions if needed to change the boot order to allow booting from CD/DVD/USB. Further instructions can be found in section 5 of the Isabel LUI guide.

Once your live LUI is running you can use Isabel commands by clicking on

"Applications -> Isabel"

and selecting the various commands: "Help", "Utilities", "Connect To", "Local Test", "Start Session Server", ... as shown in Figure 1.

[edit] Hard Disk Installation

For frequent use, we strongly recommend to do a permanent hard disk installation. It can be performed from a running LUI system by clicking on the installation icon that appears on the desktop. Detailed instructions can be found in section 6 of the Isabel LUI guide. It is advisable to call a Linux expert to do the installation.

[edit] Update the Isabel version

Figure 2: Update Isabel Version
Figure 2: Update Isabel Version

Isabel 4.10 installations should be updated to Isabel 4.11. An Isabel installation can be updated to the latest version over the Internet with the command (see figure 2):

"Applications -> Isabel -> Utilities -> IsabelUpdate"


  • NOTE: Isabel 4.11 requires Java 6 runtime, which is installed during Isabel setup.

Please ensure you accept any agreement shown on screen while installing Isabel.

[edit] Firewall set up

Isabel 4.11 needs only 1 UDP unicast port (bidirectional) to connect to the session. Isabel 4.11 connects to the session entry point (session URL) over UDP port 53018. In case port 53018 is closed Isabel will try to connect over the following UDP ports: 53, 88, 161, 162, 500, 1080, 1720 and 4672. If any of those ports is open no further configuration is needed in the firewall.


If none of them is open, the firewall administrator should open UDP port 53018.

[edit] Test the Isabel installation

The local test mode of Isabel can be entered by executing the command (see Figure 1):

"Applications -> Isabel-> Local Test"

This Isabel mode facilitates local audio and video testing. Guidelines are provided in the background when the mode is entered. The local test mode allows to check that the microphone and video camera are working correctly in standalone mode.

If Isabel has to be connected to the audiovisuals of a room or auditorium, audiovisual experts should be contacted. The Isabel Audiovisuals Guide provides guidelines on how to connect the Isabel terminal to the audiovisuals.

[edit] Connect to an Isabel Session

Figure 3: Connect to Isabel session
Figure 3: Connect to Isabel session

To connect to an Isabel session execute

"Applications -> Isabel -> Connect To"

A panel will appear (see Figure 3) where you have to fill in then the following parameters

  • URL: the session URL (an IP or URL provided by organiser, i.e. mcu1.dit.upm.es)
  • Nickname: your acronym (UPM, UC3M, UPC, MIT, NASA, …
  • Location: your town usually (Madrid, Paris, NewYork, ...)

and click on “Connect” to join your Isabel terminal to the session URL.

Connection to the session can be made using the URL of any other Isabel PC connected to the session which can act as a session proxy.

[edit] Run your own session

Figure 4: Start Isabel session
Figure 4: Start Isabel session

To organise a session, start an Isabel session server executing

"Applications -> Isabel -> Start Session Server"

A panel will appear (see Figure 4) where you have to fill in then the proper session parameters. The session server will be started by clicking on "start".

To connect to this session the clients will have to execute "Connect To" with the session URL indicated in the panel (i.e. isabel://serv1.dit.upm.es/MySession, serv1.dit.upm.es or 123.45.67.89). Clients will enter in demo mode if the session server has no license installed (Live CD case). Licenses can be installed only in servers with hard disk installations.


[edit] Isabel 4.11 new features

  • Firewall friendly tunneling over 1 UDP port with unicast. Tries to cross the firewall in UDP ports: 53018, 53, 88, 161, 162, 500, 1080, 1720 and 4672.
  • SIP gateway. Allows SIP VC clients to connect to an Isabel session, i.e. comercial VC systems supporting SIP, MSN Messenger, etc.
  • Multi version support: Isabel 4.11 also includes version 4.10, such that this version can be used to connect with session servers running Isabel 4.11 and 4.10.
  • Asymmetric bandwidth allocation for ADSL lines.
  • Enhanced user interface.
  • Video quality enhancements.
  • Several improvements and bug fixes.

[edit] Isabel 4.10 new features

Isabel 4.10 Quick Guide

  • One DVD for Live and installed version (Ubuntu based).
  • Integrates GNOME (or KDE). No more TWM Window manager.
  • GNOME access to disks in display sharing. With Open Office installed and PNP USB Pen Drive Access.
  • Improved video support.
  • Single toolbox button.
  • Easy session server set up.
  • Password protected sessions.
  • Local audio video test mode.
  • Automatic patch and version update.
  • Server licence limits are cascaded in a session. Total limit is summation of limits.
Retrieved from "http://isabel.dit.upm.es/mediawiki/index.php/Isabel_4.11_Quick_Guide"
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