Access Grid

The Access Grid offers an excellent way of communicating between multiple sites that are dispersed across the globe.  Many locations can communicate with each other at the same time, a concept that stands in contrast to that of other tools (such as Skype, or traditional point-to-point video conferences).

Many Australian tertiary institutions provide one or several Access Grid nodes that can be booked for use.  Each of these various locations can be connected together using 'Virtual Venues', virtual meeting rooms where audio and video from each site is automatically delivered to all others in the venue.

Features

• Multi-site connectivity (including links directly between Townsville and Cairns).
• Connect many dispersed locations together in one Virtual Venue.
  
• Most universities and other institutions have access to an Access Grid node.
• Contact the university you wish you communicate with to see what they have on offer and to book their facilities.
  
• Audio and video support
  
• Shared presentations
• Shared desktop (web browser or other applications)
  
• Document camera support

Rooms

• Townsville (Douglas campus) - Room 17-032 (DB017-032 or MP032)
• Seats a maximum of approximately 30 people
  
• Cairns (Smithfield campus) - Room E1.018
• Seats a maximum of approximately 10 people

Bookings

Rooms are available for both internal JCU staff and students, as well as external clients.  Bookings can be made using the online Access Grid Booking Form, and the charges for using this service are detailed below.

Charges

Rooms are charged on a per-hour basis, charged in half-hourly increments.  If booking both the Cairns and Townsville Access Grid rooms, charges apply for the usage of both rooms individually.  If link testing or other quality assurance is required before a meeting, the duration will be charged at the applicable rate.