• Functional Overview
• ATRAK BILLING & STATS
• ATRAK-AISS
• ATRAK-FLT/BRIEF
• ATRAK MIP
• ATRAK-Fallback
• ATRAK-SIMU
• ATRAK XRecorder
• ATRAK MON
• ATRAK-EC/PC
• Desktender
• ATC Procurement
• Downloads
• ATRAK-AISS Demo

ATRAK Xrecorder - ATC Data Recording System

The ATRAK-Xrecorder^®system (powered by X-Software) records and replays all the visual activity of a session in the X Window system of an Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) working position. The software monitors and records all the X Protocol traffic between the server and the various clients on an X display. During replay, recorded X protocol data is used to recreate the clients and their resources along with the drawing request that the clients made to the X server. ATRAK-Xrecorder also tracks and replays cursor movements.

ATRAK-Xrecorder uses the RECORD and TEST extensions that are a part of X11R6.1. ATRAK-Xrecorder uses a recording stub inside the X Server from which it receives all the requests and events associated with that X Server. ATRAK-Xrecorder formats this data and stores it. ATRAK-Xrecorder takes snapshots at predetermined intervals. A snapshot is a dump of the entire state of the X Server at that point in time. Snapshots are used as synchronisation points during replay. That is, replay can only begin from a snapshot. Snapshots are also what facilitate support for the fast forward and rewind features. Snapshots are taken using a customised process that ensures that the application does not freeze.

ATRAK-Xrecorder is a software product that is supported on several platforms across UNIX, AIX and Linux and is software is licensed per workstation (X server). The main features of ATRAK-Xrecorder include:

• Replay at different speeds
• Pause/Resume capability during replay
• Start replay from several points in the session
• Arbitrary start/stop of recording (X clients can be started up before recording begins)
• Turn on/off cursor movements during playback
• Ability to record to disk or tape
• Graphical user interface (GUI) for replay modes
• Ability to generate files with recorded snapshots

LAIC’s solution consists of a number of key components namely: -

• ATRAK-Xrecorder software
• ATRAK-Xrecorder private network
• Archive server
• Replay of recorded data
• Centralised storage/Off-line archiving of recorded data

The ATRAK-Xrecorder solution delivers a number of benefits including: -

• No requirement to recompile or rewrite X applications for recording.
• Very accurate recording - X Protocol is recorded in the order in which the X Server received it.
• Independent of screen size
• The overhead associated with this method of recording is directly proportional to the volume of drawing activity associated with the X Server.
• Less storage is required than video recording

The main features of ATRAK-Xrecorder include:

• Replay at different speeds
• Pause/Resume capability during replay
• Start replay from several points in the session
• Arbitrary start/stop of recording (X clients can be started up before recording begins)
• Turn on/off cursor movements during playback
• Ability to record to disk or tape
• Graphical user interface (GUI) for replay modes
• Ability to generate files with recorded snapshots

LAIC's solution consists of a number of key components namely: -

• ATRAK-Xrecorder software
• ATRAK-Xrecorder private network
• Archive server
• Replay of recorded data
• Centralised storage
• Off-line archiving of recorded data

The ATRAK-Xrecorder solution delivers a number of benefits including: -

• No requirement to recompile or rewrite X applications for recording.
• Very accurate recording - X Protocol is recorded in the order in which the X Server received it.
• Independent of screen size
• The overhead associated with this method of recording is directly proportional to the volume of drawing activity associated with the X Server.
• Less storage is required than video recording

Main Functionality

ATRAK-Xrecorder - Software

The ATRAK-RECORD/REPLAY software resides on each Controller Working Position (CWS) which will record the X events of that particular display. The contents of the recorded data will be captured and then archived to a central repository server.

ATRAK-Xrecorder - Private network

LAIC recommends that where a large number of CWS are to be recorded each CWS should be upgraded with an additional suitable network adapter and switches to form a private switched network for transmission of recorded data to the central archiving server. The introduction of a private network will ensure that there is no burden put upon the live operations network.

ATRAK-Xrecorder - X Archiver server

The replay of any CWS should ideally not take place on the original CWS or any operational CWS positions. Therefore, it is recommended that all recorded date is stored in a central repository that will have individual directories for each CWS position recorded for each day. This process is known as ATRAK - X Archiver and is a modular system that is divided into three components: -

ATRAK Record/Replay client

The ATRAK record/replay client (RPC) is responsible for basic recording andreplay of X Protocol. On recording, the client converts X protocol to a data stream fit for archival. This data stream is sent over the private network to a central archival server.

ATRAK X Archiver

The ATRAK - X Archiver module is responsible for archiving, organising, time-stamping, and retrieval of X Protocol data recorded by RPC . For accurate replay to occur the same X Server configuration should be used for replay as was used for recording.

ATRAK User console

The ATRAK user console is a GUI based interface tool to control ATRAK record/replay clients and archive server activity. It graphically represents ATRAK record/replay clients archive servers, and archive data so that the user can manipulate them. From the ATRAK user console, users can start and stop recordings and replays and control other aspects of client and server behaviour.

Replay of recorded data

On replay, the ATRAK RPC receives a data stream from the archival server and converts it back to X Protocol. Commands and recording stream data are communicated via TCP/IP sockets.

Since these components communicate with each other via TCP/IP, they can be located anywhere on a local area network. In the ATC environment it is not recommended that the ATRAK user console be run on the same machine as an ATRAK RPC.

If the replay of recorded data takes place on a CWS outside of operations it will be necessary to configure a dedicated replay CWS for each application recorded.

The ATRAK - X Archiver and ATRAK user console provide replaying of time stamped recordings, selective replay speed and offer various replay controls.

Through the ATRAK user console GUI interface access is given to the replay CWS. This should accurately match the originating operation CWS for accurate replay i.e. replicated workstation, monitor, and graphics card.

Central Repository

Where the number of CWS 's is substantial LAIC recommends a central repository for recorded data. This centralised storage is based on proven RAID technology with sufficient capacity to meet the recommended number of days of operational data. The online storage facility is configured to provide sufficient capacity for optimum performance and potential growth, and ensure suitable manageability to backup an agreed minimum of days of off line storage for all ATRAK CWS positions. This centralised repository can then be accessed by any replay workstation for any CWS position

It is recommended that an agreed minimum number of days of recorded operationaldata is to be stored off line. In order to facilitate this requirement, LAIC recommends the implementation of a suitable tape library to transfer “online” data from the centralised raid array to an “off-line” media. The recorded data will be compressed prior to any archiving to tape by the Record process.

Click here to download a product description of ATRAK-Xrecorder