From a presentation to the Royal Aeronautical Society Flight Simulation Conference Group in London on June 2015, Bohemia Interactive Simulations Academic Liaison Andy Fawkes discusses the Benefits, Challenges and Lessons Learned in putting "Simulation in the Cloud."

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Simulation in the Cloud
Benefits, Challenges and Lessons Learned
10 June 2015
Andy Fawkes, BISim Academic Liaison
Royal Aeronautical Society Flight Simulation Group Conference
9-10 June 2015, London

2. Copyright © 2014 Bohemia Interactive Simulations k.s. All other trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.
Outline
• What is Simulation in the Cloud?
• Cloud Computing
• Cloud Gaming
• Cloud Simulation
• Benefits & Challenges
• Cloud Strategy

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Partners/Contacts
• Citrix
• Fujitsu
• Improbable
• Novatech
• Nvidia
• Prolinx
• Staffordshire University
• VMware

4. Copyright © 2014 Bohemia Interactive Simulations k.s. All other trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.
Cloud Computing Metaphor
for a user, the
network elements
are invisible, as if
obscured by a
cloud
Wikipedia

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Cloud Computing
Home

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Cloud Computing
Industry

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Cloud Computing
Government

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Cloud Computing
• Cloud computing enables computer resources to
be consumed as a utility
• Cloud computing categories:
• Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS)
• Virtual Hardware
• Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
• Development Tools, eg. Microsoft Azure
• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
• Web Services, eg. Google Mail
• Cloud computing services:
• Private
• Public
• Hybrid
Wikipedia

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Cloud Gaming
• an umbrella term used to describe a
form of online game distribution
• the most common methods of cloud
gaming currently are:
• video (or pixel) streaming
• file streaming
Wikipedia

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Cloud Gaming

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Cloud Gaming
new
games
my
games
my
profile

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(DIY) Cloud Gaming

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Cloud Gaming - Persistency
new
games
World of
Warcraft
Minecraft
Persistent World
(MMOG)
Persistent and Non-
Persistent

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Cloud Gaming - Incentives
• Games have more hardware platforms, PC, mobile, etc
• Computer games hardware needs constant upgrading
• Benefits to Gamers:
• Less hardware upgrading
• Reduces set up and compatibility issues
• Play anywhere anytime
• Benefits to Game Producers
• Supports more Platforms
• Reduce production cost
• Reduces piracy

15. Copyright © 2014 Bohemia Interactive Simulations k.s. All other trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.
Cloud Simulation
• Key Features
• Centralisation of Computing and/or Data
• Transparent to User(s)
• Human in the Loop and/or Analytical

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Over Multiple Training Devices

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Zero/Thin/Thick Clients
Where is
the Data?
Where is the
Computing?
&

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Zero/Thin/Thick Clients
Client Computing at Client Data at Client
Zero zero zero
Thin some some
Thick majority majority
BISim and partners have achieved a Thin Client instance
of VBS3 over distance but have some more work to do
to achieve a Zero Client instance

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Simulation Network/Computing Demands
easier harder

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Infrastructure Issues
• Data
• Trainee Data
• Training Scenarios
• Simulation 3D Content
• Analytical Data
• Persistency
• Computing
• Network Capacity
• Economies of Scale
• Security
• Hardware Diversity
• Software Updates

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Cloud Simulation Benefits
• Simulation as a Service
• Centralised Software and Data
• Secure Login
• Player Data
• Big Training Data
• Multiple Hardware Platforms
• Centralised Management
• Efficient Allocation of Computing Power

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Beneficiaries of Cloud Simulation
Trainee
 Training environment that tracks and compares performance
 Easy discovery of other players and training scenarios
 Ranked/Unranked Worlds for Formal Training and Practice/Play
Trainer/Instructor
 Persistent interactive world that can be accessed 24/7 across the Enterprise
 Training data that tracks and compares performance
 Easy discovery of training scenarios
 Ranked/Unranked Worlds for Formal Training and Practice/Play
Analysts
 Assess and compare Training Effectiveness through Big Data
Enterprise
 Reduced Client Hardware requirements and upgrading
 Secure login
 Highly autonomous and centralised
 Commonality of Systems

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Cloud Simulation Challenges
• Network Capacity
• Do Training Enterprises Scale?
• Compatibility with Other Simulation?
• Transition Challenges

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Cloud Simulation
• Technology Issues will be Resolved
• It’s not just about the Graphics!
• It demands a clear systematized
approach to your simulation and
training data

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Questions