Remote Learning Project
We take two different approaches in implementing this project:
a) Using the Linux server
b) Using the Windows server
Linux Server
Using a Linux server, we control an external device and a camera. The external device
can be any hardware piece with an interface to the computer. In this approach we intend
to write a simple program which can accessed through client’s browser to control the
external device. The camera can also be accessed through client’s browser.
Upon remote access to the server, the client’s web browser will show the following
screens:
Welcome Page
Asks for Login
name and PW
Select your
feature: available
resources
Show the web
cam and the
program – the user
can logout at any
time – a blog is
available for for
comments
The actual program controlling the external device will be very flexible such that it can
be replaced by any other subprogram. For the purpose of demonstration, in this project
we use a simple program which can control LEDs through the parallel port:
http://bigasterisk.com/parallel 1. A simple circuit capable of connecting to the parallel
port is shown below. (we need to design the circuit as follow)
1
Refer to the following links for more information: Linux I/O port programming mini-HOWTO and
http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/linux_frs/ ; http://www.bhu.go.th/cdc/misc/linux/2parport.htm (shows the
circuit and the code for windows)
Windows server
Many practical applications and educational software are available for Windows
operating system. In such cases, the remote user will be able to access the camera and the
software controlling the external device using remote-desktop (such as what?). In such
cases the client is asked to login first and then she/he will be allowed to access the
desktop. Remote desktop can also be achieved through Web Connection (Which one do
we want?). In either case, the client must make sure the Remote Desktop is actually
installed2.
Especial features
The following features can be considered for either approach:
a) Provide a list of users and the time they spent using the equipment along with
their name (or user name)
b) Each user must have a login name and a password
c) If the server fails, the protection server will take over
d) The server must consider priority for people being out of the campus.
e) If a user is using the resources, she/he may use the resources until they are done
f) Deny access to any user if the resources are being used by another person –
provide a BUSY message
g) The user will be able to report any problem through a log file (blog)
h) When the user logs out the next used must be able to use the resources.
i) The client should be able to use Wi-Fi to connect to the server.
j) Is there away to control the camera and change its position, zoom in and out, etc.?
k) The camera should be able to zoom and move on different objects if the user
chooses different resources. For example, if they choose Board A, then the
camera must automatically zoom on Board A.
Board A
Board B
Board C
2
If the server is running on Windows and the client has Linux, rdesktop can be used. Rdesktop is an open
source client for Windows NT Terminal Server and Windows 2000/2003 Terminal Services, capable of
natively speaking Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) in order to present the user's NT desktop.
http://www.rdesktop.org/