ACSL is currently testing the viability of technologies such as cable modems, and using the internet as a backbone for sharing a central CaseBASE database.

Initial Technical Findings

Initial tests indicate that you need between 40kbps and 500kbps (500kbps peak, 90kbps average) from host to client and about 40kbps to 90kbps from client to host transfer rates to simulate LAN type performance on a WAN.  With these transfer rates, record selection and transfer from host to client screen was in the subsecond range.  This test was done using two cable modems and performance monitoring software, and using the Rogers Cable @Home Network as a backbone.

Further testing must be done in order to establish multiuser traffic patterns and server hardware requirements.

While CaseBASE is not a client/server application, it does have a number of client/server aspects to it's design.  Program components (both executables and data files) are highly distributable from Host to Client end depending on requirements.   This allows a network administrator in cooperation with a DBA knowledgable in CaseBASE's data sharing characteristics to layout a program component and telecommunications design that maintains good response time over relatively low speed communications network (40-250kbps range, guesstimate).

CaseBASE WAN Version

ACSL has determined that several modifications can be made to improve performance to reduce bandwidth usage thereby making CaseBASE more WAN friendly.  ACSL proposes a WAN version of CaseBASE for agencies that wish to implement CaseBASE on a WAN.  Currently ACSL is seeking agencies interested in cost sharing on the modifications to create such a version.  We have been told DATIS does not have the funds or the mandate underwrite this type of development in CaseBASE.  To date no government agency has been approached (that we know of) with a proposal such as this.

ACSL Proposes a CaseBASE WAN Working Group

ACSL is enthusiastic about running CaseBASE on a WAN and feels that many geographically challenged agencies could benefit from a WAN friendly version of  CaseBASE.  To that end, ACSL wishes to gather together interested agencies and form a working group to oversee the modifications to CaseBASE and to pursue possible partnerships with funders and public network providers to service such a network.  The network could be province wide, or could be multiple independent regional networks, based on public network availability.

Interested Parties

Please contact Jay Patterson at ACSL (416-221-5750) if your organization might be interested in participating in such an initiative.  Currently Mr. Patterson will co-ordinate communications of further developments between parties until a working group can be formed.

Relevant Links

High Speed Public Network Service Providers

Rogers Network Services (RNS) on WAN Bandwidth for Medical Applications

Bell Canada plans to offer ADSL service in fall of 1997