Hypergrid

From OpenSimulator

(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
Line 4: Line 4:
 
[[image:VWV.jpg|250px|thumb|Web of Virtual Worlds]]
 
[[image:VWV.jpg|250px|thumb|Web of Virtual Worlds]]
  
The hypergrid is an extension to opensim that allows you to link your regions to arbitrary opensims on the internet, and that supports seamless agent transfers among opensims. It can be used both in standalone mode and in grid mode. The hypergrid is effectively supporting the emergence of a Web of virtual worlds.  
+
The hypergrid is an extension to opensim that allows you to link your regions other opensims on the internet, and that supports seamless agent transfers among those opensims. It can be used both in standalone mode and in grid mode. The hypergrid is effectively supporting the emergence of a Web of virtual worlds.  
  
 
The basic idea for the hypergrid is that region/grid administrations can place hyperlinks on their map to hypergrided regions run by others. Once those hyperlinks are established, users interact with those regions in exactly the same way as they interact with local regions. Specifically, users can choose to teleport there. Once the user reaches the region behind the hyperlink, she is automatically interacting with a different virtual world without having to logout from the world where she came from, and while still having access to her inventory.
 
The basic idea for the hypergrid is that region/grid administrations can place hyperlinks on their map to hypergrided regions run by others. Once those hyperlinks are established, users interact with those regions in exactly the same way as they interact with local regions. Specifically, users can choose to teleport there. Once the user reaches the region behind the hyperlink, she is automatically interacting with a different virtual world without having to logout from the world where she came from, and while still having access to her inventory.
Line 12: Line 12:
 
=== Virtual World Hyperlinks ===
 
=== Virtual World Hyperlinks ===
 
[[image:hghyperlink.jpg|250px|thumb|A Virtual World Hyperlink]]
 
[[image:hghyperlink.jpg|250px|thumb|A Virtual World Hyperlink]]
 +
 +
We're all familiar with hypertext links on the Web. But with is a virtual world hyperlink?
 +
 +
In the hypergrid model, we consider the 2D map of the virtual world as the equivalent of a web page. As such, a VW hyperlink is simply a region on that map.
 +
 +
The current walled-garden model of opensim-based virtual worlds already supports this concept of hyperlink. When you teleport from one region to another via the map, chances are you are migrating your agent into a different opensim server. This migration is a glorified "agent transfer" that also exists, in rudimentary form, on the web when hypertext links are followed. The walled-garden model, however, imposes one very strong restriction on these hyperlinks: the entire map of regions is controlled by a central server known as the grid server, whose job is to provide a uniform view of the world to all of its regions.
 +
 +
The hypergrid removes this constraint by allowing individual opensim instances to add "neighbors" to its local map. As such, the hypergrid moves the control of the map down from the grid server to individual opensim instances (although hyperlinks can also be served by grid servers if grid admins so wish).

Revision as of 20:22, 13 November 2008

The OpenSim Hypergrid

What is the hypergrid?

Web of Virtual Worlds

The hypergrid is an extension to opensim that allows you to link your regions other opensims on the internet, and that supports seamless agent transfers among those opensims. It can be used both in standalone mode and in grid mode. The hypergrid is effectively supporting the emergence of a Web of virtual worlds.

The basic idea for the hypergrid is that region/grid administrations can place hyperlinks on their map to hypergrided regions run by others. Once those hyperlinks are established, users interact with those regions in exactly the same way as they interact with local regions. Specifically, users can choose to teleport there. Once the user reaches the region behind the hyperlink, she is automatically interacting with a different virtual world without having to logout from the world where she came from, and while still having access to her inventory.

The hypergrid is currently a GForge project. Technically, it's implemented as a thin layer on top of the OpenSim core facilities. It's very easy to install, and it is 100% compatible with the standard OpenSim distribution.

Virtual World Hyperlinks

A Virtual World Hyperlink

We're all familiar with hypertext links on the Web. But with is a virtual world hyperlink?

In the hypergrid model, we consider the 2D map of the virtual world as the equivalent of a web page. As such, a VW hyperlink is simply a region on that map.

The current walled-garden model of opensim-based virtual worlds already supports this concept of hyperlink. When you teleport from one region to another via the map, chances are you are migrating your agent into a different opensim server. This migration is a glorified "agent transfer" that also exists, in rudimentary form, on the web when hypertext links are followed. The walled-garden model, however, imposes one very strong restriction on these hyperlinks: the entire map of regions is controlled by a central server known as the grid server, whose job is to provide a uniform view of the world to all of its regions.

The hypergrid removes this constraint by allowing individual opensim instances to add "neighbors" to its local map. As such, the hypergrid moves the control of the map down from the grid server to individual opensim instances (although hyperlinks can also be served by grid servers if grid admins so wish).

Personal tools
General
About This Wiki