OpenRAP stands for Open Resource Access Point. OpenRAP is an open source software initiative to develop a modular & scalable localised CDN platform. Open Offline Localised CDN software is written to be hardware agnostic. Open source software community can use, validate and contribute to project.
Pre-Loading the complete Digital Course Curriculum (K12) onto the CDN and then accessing the content through any of the School Desktop / Tablet without internet connectivity.
Content especially designed for teachers can be pre-loaded onto the CDN and the same can be accessed by teachers from anywhere within the school premises through their own phones.
CDN can be used as a Complete Digital Library for schools (Offline Wikipedia, Khan Academy), content of which can be accessed through Desktops / Tablets without the need of Internet.
Admin Functionality to take attendance and maintaining Students / teachers profile could be delivered via OpenRAP Solution which makes it possible to deliver the solution without use of internet.
Open Localized CDN devices are preloaded with Digital content (ebooks, Videos, Audio, Pictures..). Content can be refreshed either through Laptop or USB using the Admin Portal of the device.
All the Analytics data gathered like “who is watching what, most popular videos watched, who all logged-in…” can also be seen on the Dashboard either Offline and Online.
Today the solution which is widely used in schools for content Browsing and Distribution is placing a dedicated Content server behind a Networking switch, so that all the Desktops / Laptops can connect to it and access the content stored Locally.
Below table compares the dedicated Content Server with Open Offline CDN.
Content and Application Server | Open Offline CDN | |
1. | Big and Bulky Hardware (Server class PC) | Small and Lightweight |
2. | Needs Proper Deployment | Plug-n-Play |
3. | Wired and needs Network installation | Creates its own Wireless Network |
4. | Costly | Low Cost Device |
5. | Needs a complex software to be Installed. | Open Source Software, can be installed and configured Easily. |
6. | Content Browsing through Web Page, which can’t happen wirelessly | Content Browsing through webpage and App. |
7. | Can only distribute Content | Can distribute content as well gather data from end Users in form of Surveys, Forms, attendance tool, profiling teachers / Students, taking and evaluating Assessments and Quizzes. |
The Tables below captures the Minimum Hardware and Software requirements / specifications to run Open Offline Micro CDN.
Hardware specification:
Parameter | Specification | Notes |
Processor and cache | ARMV7 Quad Core @ 1.2 Ghz or Equivalent | With minimum 2400 MIPS integer performance |
Memory | 1 GB LPDDR2-900 SDRAM | |
Storage | Minimum of 32GB, solid state storage | Must be extendable |
Networks supported | Wireless LAN 802.11a/b/g/n | |
Ethernet LAN, 100 mbps or more | ||
Power consumption | Under maximum load, must consume less than 12.5W | Average operating wattages must be less than 5 W |
Additional ports to be supported | Two ports of USB 2.0 ports or more. | |
Additional Ports - Recommended | HDMI 2.0 | For connecting to the monitor |
Performance Criteria | Concurrent video streaming of up to 20 active connections. | |
Enclosure | IP 50 Enclosure or more | Dust Resistant enclosure, assuming CDN would be placed in an in-house. |
Note - In order to protect the OpenRAP compliant device from rain, moisture, dust, heat, it is recommended that the device itself is housed in an additional enclosure and mounted on wall. It is also recommended that additional enclosure be designed in a way to provide easy access to USB ports. Since the OpenRAP solutions are small form factor devices, It is recommended that, the OpenRAP device is mounted in an enclosure that is locked, but easily accessible to administrator to refresh content via USB flash device.
Software Specification:
Parameter | Specification | Notes |
Bootup time | The device must boot and operate in normal mode within 15 seconds | |
Basic Services | Must support, DHCP and DNS server, HostAP software, Python, Python-django framework, Nginx and udev services as a part of OS | All services version as per Debian 8, with exception of django version 1.11.5 |
Localized offline CDN Software | OpenRAP version 1.0 readiness |
Note - OpenRAP solution is fast evolving solution with modules being added on daily basis. Vendors are requested to have the Offline local CDN solutions be updated with latest copy of OpenRAP solutions available in the GitHub.