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Journal of Law, Information and Science

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de La Fosse, Tony --- "The Application of Remote Control Software in a Judicial Environment" [1997] JlLawInfoSci 17; (1997) 8(2) Journal of Law, Information and Science 320

The Application of Remote Control Software in a Judicial Environment

TONY DE LA FOSSE[*]

Abstract

The paper describes the use of emerging 'thin-client' technologies within the High Court of Australia to solve a number of practical problems in providing court staff with access to networked applications. Whilst the case study focuses on the use of thin-client technologies within the High Court, the technology itself has potentially far broader application in law firms, courts, law libraries and similar organisations.

The emergence of thin-client technology is particularly pertinent in an environment where increasingly organisations are faced with significant and ongoing budget reductions. As a result, many organisations are forced to continue to use relatively old PC's, heritage 16-bit operating systems and software applications, low quality cabling and slow communication links between outlying offices. Thin-client technologies offer a potential solution to many of these problems. Importantly, the technology can be delivered in a functionally rich, yet cost-effective way.

As an example, a law library with a large number of old 286 PC's and heritage cabling infrastructure could install a single Pentium 300 Mhz server and through the use of thin-client technologies, simulate the processing speed of the faster Pentium server across all client workstations. All users can be provided access to the latest 32 bit resource hungry applications from their existing 286 PCs without memory or processor upgrades. This may allow the organisation to defer the replacement of older equipment for many years.

Additionally, the thin-client technology can be used to provide remote access to networked applications over standard telephone lines achieving performance levels normally only achieved if the user was connected to the network using structured cabling.

Thin-client technologies should be viewed as a powerful tool set that can be used to solve practical problems within the organisation.

Synopsis

"The world has a new currency called information. The value of this currency varies according to the rate that it can be exchanged."

As anyone who has ever attempted to access CD ROM databases over a dial-up modem connection knows, the above quotation has a degree of poignancy. This paper examines the application of 'remote control' software within a judicial environment. While the paper intentionally focuses on the practical problems of extending access to network based CD ROM applications to remotely based staff, the technology described has far broader applications. Libraries, cash strapped law firms, courts or organisations with expensive communication linkages can all benefit from the technology.

Introduction

Until recently, staff who were geographically isolated from their Local Area Network (LAN) could not generally be provided with access to networked CD ROM applications at acceptable performance levels. This was because of the the large amount of data required to be passed between the client PC and server in the various implementations of CD ROM client-server architecture. Accordingly, remote CD ROM access is very difficult to achieve unless the organisation can afford to maintain a very large communication link (say 1 Mb or greater). Accordingly, there are many CD ROM collections that are under-utilised and many remotely based judges, associates, practitioners and legal researchers who are frustrated by their inability to gain access to these networked electronic databases.

This paper examines the difficulties the High Court of Australia faced in extending CD ROM access to staff located outside of Canberra and outlines a practical solution to the problem using remote control software. The solution allows remotely based staff to access bandwidth hungry applications over both standard telephone lines and ISDN connections at performance levels that would normally only be achieved over a 10 Mb/sec network connection.

The Problem

The High Court of Australia has an extensive CD ROM collection of legal databases located on a 28 stack CD ROM tower based in Canberra. Whilst the Canberra CD collection can be accessed at satisfactory performance levels over the LAN's 10baseT structured cabling, problems were encountered in extending access to Justices who reside outside of Canberra. The majority of High Court Justices and many of their respective associates live outside of the National Capital. Additionally, the Court’s regular circuit sittings demand a reliable and consistent method of accessing the Canberra based CDs from potentially anywhere in Australia.

The problem stems from the fact that many networked CD ROM products perform much of their processing of data on the client workstation rather than on the server. This requires a large and complex client as all data being searched must pass to the client workstation. Under this configuration the sheer quantity of data passing between the client and server across either an ISDN or dial-up modem connection results in unacceptable performance levels. Put simply, the time taken to initially access a CD ROM application and then conduct a search for a particular case or record is too slow for the remote user utilising client-server. Faced with response times measured in minutes rather than seconds remote users turn to traditional paper records in frustration.

The High Court of Australia examined a number of options to improve access speeds. These included:

• increasing the bandwidth of the existing ISDN connection from 64 Kb/sec to 128 Kb/sec or higher, and

• installing a separate server and duplicate CD collection in Sydney (allowing access over structured 10 Mb/sec cabling).

In both instances the cost of implementation was considered to be prohibitive. Tests confirmed that doubling the bandwidth to 128 Kb/sec would only marginally improve access speeds to the Canberra based CD tower. Significantly, the cost of adding a second 64 Kb/sec ISDN channel to the existing Sydney/Canberra line was over $9,000 p.a.

While there are a number of alternate communication products available that would provide greater bandwidth, all of them were prohibitively expensive. For example, a 1 Mb/sec frame-relay link would cost over $37,000 p.a. whilst a 2 Mb/sec link would cost over $55,000 p.a.

The installation of a dedicated CD server and duplicate CD collection in Sydney would allow access speeds comparable to those obtained locally in Canberra, however the cost of purchasing the additional network CD subscriptions together with the duplication of hardware was again considered to be prohibitive. Additionally, neither of the above options addressed the requirement to provide access to the CD collection from Melbourne, Perth or a range of alternate locations during circuit sittings.

A Solution to the Bottleneck

An innovative solution utilising remote control software was eventually found. The solution allows a staff member located in another State to take control of a virtual computer inside a separate dedicated server located in Canberra, which will then complete all data processing locally. The host computer uses ICA (Independent Computing Architecture) to separate the application logic from the user interface at the server. Data is then transported to the client workstation. The system is highly efficient as only the keystrokes and mouse clicks of the user together with the bit-map screen splash (updates) actually travel across the communications connection. Thus, client-server applications can be run locally on the server with access provided remotely at a fraction of the normal network bandwidth that would usually be required. The result is a significant improvement in performance levels over traditional client-server access.

The system is termed 'thinwire'. Thinwire traffic typically consumes as little as 5 Kbps of bandwidth. Most importantly thinwire allows all data processing to be completed locally. The latest version of the software does not send bit maps of screens as used in older and slower versions. Rather the ICA protocol slices the application's logic, sending only interface information across the connection. Once operational, all CD ROM applications can be accessed remotely at performance levels comparable to those obtained within the LAN's 10 Mb/sec structured cabling.

Whilst a number of different remote control software products (such as Ntrigue) were available, Citrix WinFrame[1] running on a modest Windows NT server[2] was eventually selected as the preferred solution.

In early 1997 Microsoft agreed to incorporate multi-user, thin-client support into the NT operating system. In May 1997 the two companies announced a licencing agreement that would see them work together to integrate Winframe with NT 5 and beyond.[3] Codenamed 'Hydra', the terminal server entered beta testing in late 1997. Like Winframe the beta version of Hydra allows multiple users to access applications (that can run on NT) from older PCs and non-Windows compliant computers.

The Winframe licensing arrangements chosen by the High Court allow up to 15 concurrent sessions on the Citrix server without any significant degradation in performance (see the graph below). Additional user licences can be added at a later stage if necessary. The Australian Federal Police in Canberra have recently commissioned a 300 concurrent user Citrix WinFrame solution.

A user can access the server from an ISDN, dial-in modem or Internet connection on a 286 or above Intel-based PC, Macintosh or Unix workstation. Once connected by modem, the latest 32 bit applications can be run at speeds approaching those obtained if the user was actually connected to the LAN.

An unexpected benefit of the WinFrame solution is the greatly simplified administration of the CD ROM tower and client software. Under the old client server system the arrival of a new CD would generally demand the immediate reinstallation of the new CD client on all user PCs. This was a time consuming exercise, particularly if the client was physically located in another State. As the Citrix WinFrame solution only requires the CD client to be installed on a single processor, applications, software updates and patches can be rapidly and easily deployed.

Utilising WinFrame users can still 'cut and paste' text between local and remote applications and local printing is still possible. WinFrame allows each and every user to have a unique profile on the server. Applications, access rights, screens and printing options can be fully customised. In effect, a ‘virtual’ PC desktop is configured for each and every user.

One notable advantage of a WinFrame solution is the ability to significantly extend the life of existing hardware investments. For example, a law firm, court or library with a large collection of old 286 PCs and heritage cabling infrastructure could install a single Citrix Winframe Pentium server and simulate the processing speed of the Pentium computer across all WinFrame client workstations. Additionally, all users can access the latest 32 bit resource hungry applications from their existing 286 PCs without memory or processor upgrades. The ability of geographically remote users to join the resultant virtual network is an added benefit.

The thin-client system is however not strictly speaking a Network Computer (NC). A NC is most commonly defined as a very basic terminal with little or no memory and processing power but utilising software written in 'Java' to execute applications (together with gateways to existing programs and data). The term 'Network Computer' is an Oracle trademark whilst the Sun alternative is termed a 'JavaStation'.

Unlike NCs, traditional PCs using thin-client products such as Citrix Winframe are not necessarily forced to execute programs on the desktop. Rather the applications run remotely on a multiuser server.

Byte Magazine has stated:

"These machines offer a more conservative approach than true NCs because they're designed to run Windows and other popular software -- albeit remotely -- rather than requiring new Java software….they're not underpowered dumb terminals"[4]

Figure 1 – Typical WinFrame LAN/remote access configuration

The WinFrame server runs both applications and client executables. Applications loaded on the Citrix server are accessed through the WinFrame ‘thin’ client. After the ICA client is installed on a Windows client desktop all applications that reside on the Citrix server can be launched from any location without any additional software. Any software upgrades, patches or changes to the Citrix server or the applications that reside on it will immediately be visible and accessible to all users.

Performance Degradation – 1-30 Concurrent Users

1997_1700.jpg

Figure 2 – Performance degradation with 30 concurrent users (Source: The Tolly Group, 1996[5])

Figure 2 above outlines performance degradation on a Citrix WinFrame Pentium 90 server supporting up to 30 concurrent clients. Notably, there is no significant degradation in response times with up to 15 concurrent users (Source: the Tolly Group, 1996).

1997_1701.jpg

Figure 3 – CPU Utilisation 1 –30 concurrent users (Source: the Tolly Group, 1996)

The results in Figure 2 above are supported by the Court's own tests with a more powerful Pentium 180 MHz server (64 MB of RAM). Ultimately however it is important to select the correct server (processor speed and RAM ) to meet an organisation's specific requirements.

Whilst both 16 bit and 32 bit applications will run successfully on a Winframe server the older 16 bit applications will result in slightly slower overall performance. Testing conducted by Compaq Computer Corporation indicates that 16 bit applications consume system resources and reduce the number of users a processor supports by 20%. Additionally 16 bit applications require approx 25% more memory per user.[6]

Other Benefits

The benefits of Citrix are not limited to remote access solutions to CD ROM applications. Potentially any DOS[7], 16 or 32 bit application can be installed on a Citrix WinFrame NT server allowing high speed, cost effective, bandwidth independent application delivery to multiple users. For example, High Court of Australia Registry staff now access a Lotus Notes based Case Management System utilising Citrix WinFrame rather than under the traditional Notes client-server architecture.

Whilst the WinFrame client has modest system requirements allowing older 286 and 386 computers to run applications that would not normally be able to run natively, it should not be viewed as a panacea for the distribution of routine office automation applications. It may however allow organisations to put off PC upgrades for several years and continue to use lower quality heritage cabling infrastructure (coaxial etc). The minimum configuration required by the WinFrame client running on a Windows PC is a 286 processor with 2MB of RAM.[8]

In October 1997 Citrix announced the release of a Java client for non-Windows machines. The use of a Java client will potentially allow a user running a non-Windows machine that has the Java VM installed to connect to the Citrix Winframe server to execute applications remotely.[9]

There is considerable scope to reduce ISDN, frame-relay or other communication costs in view of the reduced data transfer requirements. Organisations could make considerable savings in this area alone.

Implementation Problems

In the case of the High Court there were a number of minor implementation problems. The Court currently uses a Novell NetWare 4.1 network while Citrix WinFrame has Windows NT at its core. Citrix WinFrame is not a product running on Windows NT but rather an authorised extension and modification of the Windows NT operating system. Winframe does, however, still retain the full functionality of Windows as a file, print and application server.

After considering security issues it was decided to run the WinFrame server separate to the NetWare server without the Microsoft NetWare Gateway Services that come with Windows NT. This required two user logons, however, the WinFrame logon is currently performed by the Citrix client transparently to the user. The WinFrame server is using the Novell IPX/SPX transport protocol to communicate with the client computers.

All of the CD-ROMs function differently and are quite independent of each other. Some were designed for DOS workstations with the intent of adding limited network functionality at a later date. The installation of each CD ROM presents its own unique set of problems.

All CD ROMs have to be able to function on the Windows NT operating system. While the Court was able to get all its CD ROMs operating on NT it did take some effort. One CD required access to a FAT formatted partition on the hard disk. Windows NT uses NT File System (NTFS) which is a fast and highly secure file system. Since the hard disk had already been installed with NTFS partitioning, making space for a FAT partition would have been very time-consuming. The need for an immediate solution demanded the installation of a second small hard drive. A used 40Mb SCSI hard drive (originally from an Apple Macintosh) was formatted with FAT and the problem was resolved.

It is probably better to pressure manufacturers to speed up their implantation of Windows NT compliant products or find a similar product from a competing manufacturer than pursue complex solutions.

In order to print from Citrix WinFrame there is a requirement for access to a network printer. This could simply be a printer connected to the parallel port of the WinFrame server or a printer with a network card installed. The Court experienced some initial problems with printers shared off the parallel ports of workstation. In order to print to these printers one of the connected workstations had to be a print server on the network. There are two disadvantages with this:

1. there is a performance degradation on the workstation while it is functioning as a print server and,

2. it has to be both turned on and logged-on the network for anyone to print to the connected printer.

The Court resolved this by connecting more printers directly to the network.

Finally, user education is very important. As the WinFrame client is initiated on the host PC the user will suddenly see the Citrix desktop appear (which looks very much like their own desktop). Users can easily get confused about which PC they are actually controlling. Toggling between the ‘virtual’ and ‘actual’ PC takes some time to get used to. One solution is to ensure the ‘virtual’ PC desktop has a unique set of colours and the screen desktop is smaller than the actual PC.

Lessons

In embarking on this project or any IT project it is important to liaise as closely as possible with the selected IT contractor. This should include:

• The provision of an up-to date-network diagram. A diagram showing the logical (not physical) connection of servers, workstations, printers, hubs, routers etc is vital.

• Indications of how mission-critical the applications are and the tolerance of down-time.

• The expectations of what is required of a system in terms of performance and functionality.

The importance of finding a skilled consultant with proven experience in Citrix WinFrame installations is vital.

Summary

Overall, the project has been a resounding success. Many jurisdictions, libraries and law firms could benefit from this emerging technology. The advantages of the Citrix WinFrame solution can be summarised as follows:

Performance. LAN and WAN users maintain consistent, high speed access to DOS, 16 bit or 32 bit applications regardless of the connection speed or the host hardware used.

Reach. Remote users can access resource-intensive applications over a simple dial-in modem connection at speeds normally only achieved if physically connected to the LAN by 10baseT structured cabling.

Ease of Administration. IT staff need only replace a single software application on the Citrix server to ensure network wide distribution. Once the WinFrame ‘thin’ client is installed on the remote PC the user can obtain access to any application on the Citrix server.

Cost Benefits. For small law firms, libraries, courts or tribunals that currently have old PCs and poor quality cabling coupled with shrinking funding bases, the installation of a single WinFrame server will have the effect of ‘turbo-charging’ the old network and extending its life for many years. The Citrix solution can thus be a cost-effective way of improving productivity and allowing old hardware to be maintained for years to come. The strategy is particularly pertinent in the current climate of cost-saving and budgetary cutbacks.


[*] Tony de la Fosse, BA, GDip HRM, MBA is the Senior Deputy Marshal -Administration of the High Court of Australia. The views expressed in this paper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the High Court of Australia.

[1] WinFrame has been developed as an authorized extension to Microsoft Windows NT, under license from Microsoft. See htt://www.citrix.com

[2] A Intel Pentium Pro 180MHz with 64 Mb RAM.

[3] Systems Magazine, February 1997, p30.

[4] Byte Magazine, April 1997.

See http://www.byte.com/art/9704/sec6/art1.thm

[5] The Tolly Group is an organisation specialising in the assessment of emerging technologies includingnetworking, multimedia, and messaging. The group has published more than 100 product evaluations, network design features and columns in industry publications.

[6] Configuring Compaq Servers in a Citrix WinFrame Environment', Compaq Computer Corporation, November 1996, p12

[7] Whilst WinFrame will not run DOS graphic applications it will run Windows graphic applications.

[8] 'Windows For Thin Clients', Information Week, September 1997 at http://techweb.com/se/directlink.cgi?1WK19970901S0040

[9] PC Week, October 17 1997, p10.


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