VRVS is the base videoconferencing system used with Grid-Ireland. It is very inexpensive to purchase the requisite hardwar to use VRVS, but somewhat painful (in general) to make assorted hardware work well in VRVS sessions. In general, we conclude that it is much better if everyone in a VRVS session is using roughly identical hardware, and availing of the MBone tools built in to VRVS. Any H.323 tools like Netmeeting should be avoided if possible. In order to simpify the process, below are some recommendations for VRVS installations that have arisen from our testing:

1. buy a Logitech Pro3000 camera from Dixons 115 Euro. This allows direct MBone usage.
2. buy a USB noise-cancelling mic/headset with Digital Signal Processing - this makes a big difference.
3. don't install on a laptop - there are potential problems with the java LCD display drivers.
4. don't install on a machine with the Java JDK installed. The JVM module for the browser and JDK can keep interacting.
5. don't install on a machine with dynamic IP (e.g. from DHCP). It just complicates the job.
6. install the machine in your office where we can have private discussions.
7. use Internet Explorer - install version 5.5 or later.
8. install the JVM 1.4.0 module from Sunsite into the browser.
9. enable Java, Javascript and Cookies in the web browser.

It is a good idea to do this on a machine that you then consider your prime grid user interface, i.e. the machine from which you request your Grid-Ireland certificate, and do any grid operations that specifically require that certificate.

The Grid-Ireland website is hosted on cagraidsvr06.cs.tcd.ie in the Department of Computer Science, Trinity College Dublin.