Updated: Jan 10, 97
WP04 - Demo Site

Objectives

The Demo Site is to be a focal point where providers of health care telematics solutions can demonstrate their applications and where users and other interested parties (Health Policy groups, Industrial groups, European user groups) can examine these solutions in an environment which is as real as possible. This may involve, if appropriate, collaboration with the project which is organising concertation meetings.

Description

The overall architecture of the Demo Site will consist of 3 strata.

• The first layer consists of a common state-of-the-art communication infrastructure, in the figure labelled as 'bitways'. The Demo Site will offer through industrial sponsorship, especially from the Telecom providers (which have already reacted positively) a wide range of communication technologies, ranging from omnipresent dial-in connections to state-of-the-art connectivity for broadband communications. The involvement and support of the Telecom operators on the site, guarantees a technology lead and a cross fertilisation. Both bearer services and enhanced communication services will be provided: PSTN, ISDN, ATM, X.400, GSM.
• Depending on the requirements of the demo applications a mixture of available server platforms (e.g. Novell, Vines, Unix, . . .) and network topologies (e.g. token ring, ethernet, FDDI, . . .) will be provided to simulate real life situations. On the server platforms a number of server applications will be installed. These may include a database server, a WWW server, a communication server. Tools for managing the network and its resources will also be installed on this common infrastructure.
• The demo-applications as such will build upon the common infrastructure provided by the site. The upper layer of the Demo Site architecture will consist of the demo-application specific elements. Diversity and mixed platforms are highly desirable (PCs with DOS, WINDOWS, OS/2, Apple equipment, Unix workstations...). If necessary a demo-application specific network superstructure can be set up.

The implementation phases are:

Preparatory phase:

• definition of the common infrastructure and communication requirements of the demoapplications
• contacts with the telecom providers for co-operation and sponsorship
• market survey of common infrastructure (network, servers, management tools) products
• preparing call for tender, launching it and evaluating responses
• acquisition of necessary items/infrastructure

Installation phase

• preparing installation schedule
• installing each individual component
• installing connections
• testing and fine-tuning

Operational phase (estimated start date: 6 months after contract signature)

• installing of project applications and/or prototypes
• regular backing-up
• maintenance of accounts, logs, . . .
• updating and adjustments
• training staff, writing documentation and guidelines
• day-to-day technical assistance
• assistance during demonstrations

If available, cross border long distance connections to satellite Demo Sites can be set up.
The nature of the site will make flexibility and openness a prime issue. Therefore, management of the network and of other resources will be an important factor. The facilities offered by the Demo Site will have to be documented and should be permanently open to adaptation.

Deliverables

• (D.04. I.X) overview of the requirements of the Demo-applications (regularly updated !) (internal)
• (D.04.2.X) demonstrations
• (D.04.3) realisation of the Demo Site itself
• (D. 04.4) user guidelines for the technical aspects of the Demo Site (public) (9 months)

Achievement indicators

• number of prototypes installed
• number and type of demonstrations

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