Tools for Building Virtual Laboratories

There is increasing interest in makhg unique research facilities accessible on the Internet. Computer systems, scientific databases and experimental apparatus can be used by international collaborations of scientists using high-speed networks and advanced software toofs to support collaboration. We arc building toots includhrg video conferencing and electronic whiteboards that are being used to create examples of virtual laboratories. This paper describes two pilot projects which provide testbeds for the toots. The first is a virtual laboratory project providing remote access to LBNL’s Advanced Light Source. The second is the Multidimensional Applications and Gigabit Intemetwork Consortium (MAGIC) testbed which bas been established to develop a very high-speed, wide-area network to deliver real. time data at gigabit-per-second rates.