Kim-Joan Chen

Centralized Control and Management Architecture Design for PIM-SM Based IP/MPLS Multicast Networks

In this paper, we propose a centralized control and management (CCM) architecture to support PIM-SM multicast protocol in IP/MPLS network. With the integration of IP and MPLS multicast routing mechanism, we justify that CCM framework can improve multicast capabilities such as dynamic group management, control algorithm for multicast routing and resource reservation. Most current schemes for multicast routing assume that multicast routers participate above mentioned functions as well as data forwarding. Since multicast suffers from control overhead by increasing group size, the multicast router must keep large amount of states for point-to-multipoint (p2mp) routing. In additions, the dynamic member join/leave will increase the complexity of control and management for multicast router. By separating data flow and control flow, and by centralizing control and management plane, we design a distinct CCM architecture for PIM-SM based multicast routing in IP/MPLS network. We present the procedural algorithm for the multicast functionality of CCM including call admission, resource reservation, multicast tree calculation and dynamic group management. Compared to source specific and shared multicast routing, the centralized approach can alleviate the burden of multicast routers. To explain the scalability and efficiency for the proposed CCM architecture, we evaluate and discuss the QoS multicast routing for receiver-initiated multicast tree structure.

Applying concept maps to integrate knowledge management with learning technology for e-Learning platform

For a modern e-learning platform, it has to confront with an important issue that is how to provide meaningful learning for learners. In this paper, we used the method of concept maps to integrate the four tiers, which are knowledge management, instructional, learning and technological tier, in order to achieve the meaningful learning. The significance of concept maps is not only on the promotion of knowledge concepts and action skills, but also on the affection which can be rendered the right cognition and values for learners. Finally, this research proposed a knowledge management learning system (KMLS), where it can support learning-process progress and facilitate learners learning more meaningfully.

Design of Knowledge Management Learning System based on Service-Oriented Architecture

In this paper, we propose a framework of Knowledge Management Learning System (KMLS) for adult education based on a learning process and a Service- Oriented Architecture (SOA). Accordingly, this paper presents a case example to describe how to aid adult learning and making e-Learning more effective according to the principles of constructivism, knowledge management (KM) and the characteristics of adult learning and lifelong learning.

Session-Level and Network-Level SLA Structures and VoIP Service Policy over DiffServ-Based MPLS Networks

SUMMARY This paper proposes a framework for session-level SLA (Service Level Agreement) and network-level SLA management to provide QoS-oriented application services over DiffServ/MPLS networks. DiffServ and MPLS technologies enhance the capability of QoS guarantee on IP network, and application service provider can provide QoS-oriented application services to their customers based on the transport networks. The example of using our approaches in the VoIP service involving the network service provider, the VoIP service provider, and the VoIP customers are examined. The session-level SLA between VoIP service provider and VoIP customer and the network-level SLA (N-SLA) between network provider and VoIP service provider are constructed in this paper. Besides, the VoIP service provider faces the QoS-mapping issue and the balance between revenue and cost, i.e., how to contract the N-SLA. Therefore, we introduce an off-line SLA evaluation scheme, a heuristic optimization algorithm and an on-line SLA process method to provide VoIP service policy, and then the optimal QoS-mapping can be resolved. The concept of this framework of session-level SLA and network-level SLA management can be extended easily into other real-time multimedia and non-real time data services.

A Learning Management System with Knowledge Management Capability for Collaborative Learning

In this paper, we used the method of problem-based learning (PBL) to integrate the concept of knowledge management, collaborative learning and constructivism. Then, we implemented the method of Problem-based learning via the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation) model to produce a complete learning process. Finally, this research proposed a Knowledge Management Learning System (KMLS), where it can support learning-process progress and facilitate learners learning more meaningfully.

Application of Knowledge Management Learning System to Adult Collaborative Learning based on Service-Oriented Architecture

In this paper, we propose a framework of knowledge management learning system (KMLS) for adult education based on a learning process and a service-oriented architecture (SOA). To demonstrate the idea, we present a case example to describe how to make the process more effective according to the principles of cooperative learning, concept mapping, problem-based learning, knowledge management (KM) and the characteristics of lifelong learning

Real-valued Q-learning in multi-agent cooperation

In this paper, we propose a Q-learning with continuous action policy and extend this algorithm to a multi-agent system. We examine this algorithm in a task that there are two robots taking action independently but connected with a straight bar. The robots must cooperate to move to the goal and avoid the obstacles in the environment. Conventional Q-learning needs a pre-defined and discrete state space but fails to identify the variances of the different situation in the same state. We introduce a Stochastic Recording Real-Valued unit to Q-learning to differentiate the actions corresponding to different state inputs but categorized to the same state. This unit can be regarded as an action evaluation module, which models and produces the expected evaluation signal and an action selection unit that generates an action with the expectation of better performance using a probability distribution function that estimates an optimal action selection policy. The results from both the simulation and experiment demonstrate better performance and applicability of the proposed learning model.

Causal-Ordered Real-Time Communications of Grid Computing on the Internet

Grid computing is a state-of-the-art parallel computing technology which enables worldwide computers to dynamically share their computing powers and resource to each other. The grid takes advantage of Internet as a universal communication platform to carry messages. Basically, Internet doesnt guarantee loss-free and ordered transmission, hence, the grid should keep the cause and effect of events by itself to ensure the correct ordering of command invocations at the remote hosts. The ordering issue arises when the messages travel across the networks with unpredictable delay. Recent research has studied the security and resource I control issues, but failed to address the requirements of transport layer on the grid communication platform. In this paper, we propose the Causa] Ordered Grid (COG) architecture and implement it to study the transport performance issues when the grid is built over worldwide networks. The COG provides a novel service model to the applications with time-sensitive and causal-ordered transportation. From our experiments, the design of the grid middleware should use a causal-ordered, time-sensitive transportation rather than TCP. Our research will be beneficial to the improvement of the grid computing and can provide wealthy empirical results for the designer.

A pedagogical service for organizing and indexing curricular materials

Internet use has been encouraged for K-12 students in Taiwan, and many educators would like to break through the confines of traditional textbook-centered teaching to present activities that encourage students to explore and construct their own knowledge. But many educators are not well prepared to teach curricular materials in form of multimedia with the internet, and internet use is limited in scope and substance. Since this requires developing innovative materials and curriculum tailored to local students, educators have neither the time nor the information to do much of this from scratch. The internet provides a medium for sharing innovative pedagogical resources broadly. Governmental projects and educator organizations have already begun to post curriculum ideas on internet servers. However, it is difficult to obtain the right resources that meet specific needs. Educators need productivity tools for locating sites of materials by surfing the network, searching the individual cur-ricular sources, adapting retrieved materials to their classrooms, organizing these resources in coherent lesson plans, and sharing their experiences across the internet. This study designed and prototyped a Pedagogical Service Platform (PSP) that provides authoring and presentation supports for educators so they can make effective use of contemporary pedagogical resources posted on the internet by Taiwanese governmental agencies. These interact with the fundamental challenges of teaching to support wide variation in internet use. The framework also explores and demonstrates how the internet shapes and is shaped by classroom practices. In addition, the needs of users illustrated in user case are motivated, and what has been experienced from designing PSP is discussed.

Design of Cluster-Based System Framework for SIP-Based Multimedia Conferencing Services

Multimedia conferencing is a communication service to approach multi-party, real-time, interactive and multimedia applications. Due to mature Internet technologies and ubiquitous network access services, more and more Internet applications about real-time multimedia conferencing are used. In the current conferencing systems, the media processing in centralized mixer servers is the system bottleneck. The communication quality will be decreased because of the central system loading. This paper proposes a cluster-based framework to provide a SIP-based multimedia conferencing service. In this framework, the cluster members are self-organizing and self-maintaining to share the resources of mixers within the cluster. Additionally, the extended SIP messages and SIP-based clustering mechanism are designed in this paper. Thus, if the resources of the mixers can be allocated in an optimal planning, the mixer loading can be distributed well to each mixer in the cluster. The system requirements of super-performance mixer servers can be avoided. In the framework, not only the system loading of conference servers can be distributed well, but also the infrastructure cost can be reduced.