HPC Access Using "KVM over IP"

A persistent challenge in the High-Performance Computing HPC community is how to provide remote visualization capability to its users. A dynamic and economical solution is a KVM-over-IP technology, which uses a pre-existing TCPIP network to transmit KVM data between two locations. However, the level of performance and functionality present in the current consumer-level KVM-over-IP devices makes them less than desirable for DoD HPC applications. To address the specific needs of the DoD HPC community, the RDECOM-TARDEC HPC Group undertook a 3-year development effort through the pursuit of an Army-funded Phase-II Small Business Innovation Research SBIR effort with IP Video Systems to produce a version of their V2D product with advanced features. To accommodate remote use of the high-end visualization capabilities of a DoD HPC facility, many advanced features are necessary. TARDEC-HPCs SBIR with IP Video Systems indicated specific requirements for creating a KVM-over-IP device that could be used for HPC visualization purposes. These requirements included support for USB keyboard and mouse, multi-channel digital audio, full-duplex RS232 transmissions, and receiver-side graphic genlock support. This paper discusses the setup, results, and challenges associated with a remote KVM over IP usage by testing the prototype V2D hardware. These field tests were performed between two locations on separate networks connected only via the Internet. As a result of this SBIR effort to help increase the capabilities of IP Video Systems V2D product, providing remote visualization access to DoD HPC Centers via KVM over IP technology is not only possible, but very usable even with modest bandwidth availability. The use of this technology can provide engineers and scientists direct access to graphical super computing capabilities and resources while minimizing lengthy and redundant data transfer times, costly licenses, and the inconvenience of travel.