Videoconferencing Technology Workshop

1

Site Coordinator Training:VC by VCOctober 28, 2008

Nicholas Thompson, Ohio StateDavid Devereaux-Weber, WisconsinBob Dixon, OSCnet and Ohio StateGabe Moulton, Ohio State

Training Agenda

12:30

12:50

2:00

2:35

3:00

3:10

3:20

3:30

3:40

3:50

4:00

4:10

4:20

4:35

4:45

Introduction

Network

Gatekeepers

MCUs

Gateways

Break

Streaming & Archival

H.323 Endpoints

Environmental Considerations

Videoconferencing Etiquette

Site Coordinator Duties

How to become a certified coordinator

The Internet2 Commons

University of Iowa use of the Commons

Adjourn

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IntroductionBob Dixon

4

Peanut Gallery

This session is only as good as you make it, please chime in with your stories, experiences and questions

There are no bad questions!

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What is videoconferencing?

A real-time, two-way exchange of information between two or more geographically disperse locations using audio, video and sometimes data

It is not web conferencing, video chat, web casting, or streaming

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Different Technologies

Standards-based:– H.320: videoconferencing on ISDN lines– H.321: videoconferencing using ATM connections– H.323: videoconferencing over packet-based

networks i.e. IP– SIP: multimedia multicast transmissions over IP

Currently used more in Voice over IP transmissions, but slowly moving into the videoconferencing world

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Different Technologies

Not Standards-based:– Access Grid (AG)– Virtual Room Videoconferencing System (VRVS)– DVTS

- Hundreds of Collaboration Tools

Some of these technologies have created or are creating interoperability with H.323

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Conferencing vs. Broadcasting

Conferencing Live Like a telephone call Two-way Call up and answer

Broadcasting Live or on demand Like watching television One-way Tune-in or enter URL Streaming Webcasting

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Standards

The United Nations

International Telecommunications Union ratifies standards for communications technologies, such as H.323

Multiple parties and vendors get input on how the standards are ratified and what gets included

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H.320 ISDN vs. H.323 IP

H.320 ISDN Special Room High installation cost for

connectivity lines Expensive connectivity

costs Charges to maintain

lines Professional operator Centrally scheduled

and administered

H.323 IP Any room with high

speed Internet connectivity

No connectivity cost once you pay your ISP

Simple, user-friendly to operate

Decentralized control

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The H.323 Standard

H.323 is an umbrella standard that encompasses standards for– Audio

G.711, G.722, G.722.1, G.723.1, G.728, G.729

– Video H.264, H.263, H.261

– Data H.239, T.120

– Others: Call Control, Directories

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A Note on Video Algorithms

H.261 is the oldest of the standards– Most H.323 and H.320 endpoints can handle this

algorithm

H.263 is newer – Most newer H.323 and H.320 endpoints can use

this algorithm

H.264 is the newest– Only the newest H.323 endpoints use this

algorithm

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Why is this important?

With each new video codec/algorithm comes a better means of processing the video

Each new codec provides better quality video at lower speeds

This means that a 768 kbps call using H.261 video looks as good as a 384 kbps call using H.264 video

This can make a satellite-based videoconference look just as good as land-line

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A note about H.239

H.239 is the standards-approved means of doing “duo-video” or “people+content”

This allows for VGA content to be transmitted through the videoconference at native 1024x768 resolution

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Pieces of an H.323 System

Network– The backbone of any H.323 call

Gatekeepers– A control device for H.323 components

Multipoint Control Units (MCUs)– Special network devices that allow more than two

sites to connect at the same time

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Pieces of an H.323 System (cont.)

Gateways– Devices that convert other standards to H.323

Terminals/Endpoints– This is how any site joins an H.323

videoconference

Streaming/Archival– Bringing content to those that cannot attend either

due to time constraints or no H.323 equipment

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The NetworkDavid Devereaux-Weber

The backbone for successful conferencing

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Wiring and Station Cables

3rd floor

Ethernet switch horizontal wiring station cable devicedatajack

iMac

Common practice is unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) according to the specs:

• CAT 3 [old] supports 10 Mbps Ethernet (10base-T)• CAT 5 [modern] supports 10base-T, 100 Mbps (100base-

TX) and 5e supports 1000 Mbps (1000base-T) Ethernet • CAT 6 [new] supports CAT 5 applications +

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Wiring and Station Cables

Actual wire used and quality of installation may vary widely – know your wiring!

Important to consider the station cables • Don’t use sub-CAT 5 station cables for 100 Mbps connections.

• Silver Satin telephone line cords are not CAT 5.• UTP and florescent lighting.

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Ethernet LAN

Bandwidths are 10 / 100 / 1000 Mbps Full- and Half-Duplex

– Half-duplex: since sending and receiving are on the same pairs of wires or fibers, equipment can only send or receive at one time, and must listen for collisions with packets from other devices.

– Full-duplex: since sending and receiving are on different pairs of wires or different fibers, equipment can send and receive simultaneously and do not need to listen for collision.

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Ethernet LAN

– full-duplex is not consistently implemented on old 10 Mbps Ethernet equipment – test before your conference to be sure it works.

– 100 Mbps supports half- and full-duplex.– Modern devicescan auto-sense speed and duplex.

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LAN: Switches vs. Hubs

Hubs (repeaters) are old technology. A repeater sends (repeats) packets that are

coming in on one port toall other ports. Collisions can occur, so devices must listen for them, and so can only operate in half-duplex mode.

Bandwidth is shared among all devices and collisions force re-transmissions causing jitter.

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An Ethernet switch learns the MAC addresses of the devices connected to it, and sends packets directly and only to the target end-point.

Since only 2 endpoints can talk (no collisions), they can both talk at same time (full duplex).

Provides much more consistent bandwidth and latency (low jitter).

A well-designed switched LAN is important for videoconferencing. Repeater-based LANs should be upgraded to switched for videoconferencing!

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Watch out for user-installed hubs – users might not know the shortcomings of hubs for videoconferencing, and such hubs may have been installed by others.

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LAN: Ethernet Duplex Mismatch

One of the most common causes of performance issues on 10/100Mb Ethernet links is when one port on the link is operating at half-duplex while the other port is operating at full-duplex.

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There is a silent performance-killer out there, one so inconspicuous that it is hardly ever looked for or even suspected. You could suffer from it and never know it, as it robs a site of performance but not connectivity. This performance-killer has a name: Ethernet duplex mismatch.

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If one end of a connection is set for auto-negotiation and fails to see auto-negotiation at the other end, the standard requires that the auto-negotiate end set itself to the half-duplex default. If the other device is set for full duplex, a mismatch is guaranteed.

Auto-negotiation can sometimes fail, even when both sides are set to auto (although this isn’t as prevalent as in the past).

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LAN: Duplex Mismatch Detection

Microsoft Windows doesn’t display the auto-negotiated duplex setting.

Cisco switches can detect duplex mismatch, but do not correct it (see notes).

Previous versions of Polycom firmware had an irregularity that let administrators choose AUTO speed and duplex, but then silently used 10/half, causing significant performance problems. Make sure you have current firmware.

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switch device switch device

auto auto auto autohalf half half halffull full full full

auto full BAD! half fullfull auto BAD! full half

auto half half halfhalf auto half half

SETTINGS RESULTS

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LAN: Duplex Mismatch- Prevention

Our recommendations:

–Don’t use hubs for videoconferencing.–If building wiring is CAT 3, try to set switch port and device to 10/full, but test before conference.

–If building wiring is CAT 5 or better, then set switch ports and devices to 100/full if supported on switch and device.

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Router

WAN

Campus Backbone

intranet Internet2intranetInternet2

CommercialInternet

Provides interface to the WAN.• Intranet, commercial

Internet, and Internet2 connections.

• Typically, every networked device at an Internet2-connected institution has connectivity to Internet2.

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WAN Segments

Service Speed Sample Uses

T1 1.5 Mbps remote building; extension center

DS3 45 Mbps inter-campus; Internet (I1) connection

OC3 155 Mbpsinter-campus; I1 & Internet2 connection

OC12 622 Mbps I1 backbones; Internet2 connection

OC 48 2.4 Gbps I1 and Internet2 backbones

1&10 Gigabit Ethernet 1 or 10 Gbps

advanced inter-campus connections utilizing dark fiber

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Internet2 Globalnoc Real Time Atlas

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Traffic on the Network

Typical university today:– IP

TCPUDP

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Traffic on the LAN

Unicast : one-to-one Multicast: one-to-many Broadcast: one-to-every

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Unicast

Most common traffic Common applications: mail, Web

browsing, file transfer, etc.

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IP Multicast

A one-to-many mode of transmission Network numbers 224.0.0.0 through

239.255.255.255 are reserved for multicast. Examples of multicast applications:

– Streaming on PolycomViewstations– Vic/rat videoconferencing– Centralized PC software administration tools such as Symantec Ghost

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IP Multicast – Leak Problems

Beware: high rates of unpruned multicast can adversely affect videoconference performance.

Use a network traffic and protocol analyzer to identify this problem.

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Broadcast

A one-to-every mode of transmission Used by network protocols including ARP, NetBIOS

system discovery, and name resolution. All devices on the network must process every

broadcast packet; high broadcast rates can divert processing capacity.

If the broadcast domain is too large or unusually active, the activity required at the end-point to deal with the broadcasts could diminish performance.

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Broadcast

A healthy network should have less than 100 broadcast packets per second.

Check using a network traffic and protocol analyzer tool.

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Unicast Video Broadcasting

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Multicast Video Broadcasting

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Firewalls

A firewall is a network node that acts to enforce an access control policy between two networks, e.g., between a university intranet and the commercial Internet.

Used to secure IT resources against external attacks and break-ins.

Network-layer firewalls typically make their decisions based upon port numbers and source/destination addresses.

Application-layer firewalls act as proxies.

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Firewalls

H.323 uses the IP ports:– Statically-assigned TCP ports 1718 – 1720 and 1731 for call setup and control.

– Dynamically-assigned UDP ports in the range of 1024 – 65535 for video and audio data streams.

Firewalls don’t allow unrestricted ports. Typical modern firewalls and H.323 don’t get along so well.

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Firewalls – Solutions for H.323

[bad; non-scaleable] Allow unrestricted ports for specific, known, external IP-addresses.

[better, but still not so good] Use feature of some videoconferencing clients to confine dynamic ports to a specific, narrow range.

[OK, but extra admin work] Use an H.323 application proxy.

[best] Use a firewall that snoops on the H.323 call set-up channels (static ports) and opens ports for the audio/video (dynamic ports) as needed.

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NAT (Network Address Translation)

Allows multiple computers behind the NAT to share one external network address.

Uses:• Alleviate shortage of IP addresses• Security – obscures view of the network from outside• Flexible network administration

Not commonly used at universities on the campus level. Used somewhat in corporations. Common in small offices and at home – behind DSL, cable modem, or ISDN network service.

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NAT

Difficult to use H.323 behind NAT. Some videoconferencing terminals provide features

to work with NAT. Refer to videoconferencing terminal documentation.

Think of your private IP address like an internal telephone number. An endpoint outside of your organization will not know what to do with it.

– 10.x.x.x– 192.168.x.x– 172.16.x.x-172.31.x.x

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Solution Caveats

Though many manufacturers have Firewall/NAT traversal solutions built in to their devices, these are proprietary vendor-specific solutions

Polycom’s “Use Defined Ports” only works on point-to-point Polycom to Polycom calls

H.460.17, 18, 19 are standards-based solutions ratified into H.323 to standardize Firewall and NAT traversal solutions

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H.460.17/18/19 Firewall Traversal

Works by creating pin-holes Products that follow it

– Polycom V2IU©*– Tandberg Expressway©– Radvision PathFinder™– Micromethod Horizon™

* Only follows the .18 portion of the whole standard

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H.460.17/18/19 Firewall Traversal

Solutions that do not follow the standard– Direct Packet Research S.T.N.S©– Visual Nexus

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Latency

Latency is the time required for a packet to traverse a network from source to destination.

Components of latency include:– Propagation delay: the time it takes to traverse the distance of the transmission line; controlled by the speed of light in the media; rule-of-thumb: 20ms San Francisco to New York.

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Latency

Transmission delay: the time it takes for the source to put a packet on the network. Rule-of-thumb for general network devices: < 1ms.– For H.323 this includes time to encode/decode

the video Store-and-forward delay: the cumulative

length of time it takes the internetworking devices along the path to receive, process, and resend the packets. Rule-of-thumb: variable, and depends upon network load.

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Latency

Rule of thumb:– A one-way delay of:

- 0 – 150 ms provides excellent interactivity- 150 – 300 ms is OK- 300 – 400 ms is bad- 400+ ms is unacceptable

- Satellite delay in the “unacceptable” range, but you will find that you get used to the delay

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Jitter

Jitter is variation in latency over time. If the endpoints are on switched LANs, then

the primary source of jitter is variation in the store-and-forward time, resulting from network load.

Network media areadversely affected by high levels of jitter. If a packet arrives too late, it is discarded without being used.

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Jitter

Videoconference devices can put packets in a buffer and read them out with precise timing, but a buffer adds latency to the conference.

As an example, Polycom VSX devices can correct up to about 75 ms of jitter. Above that, the packets will arrive to late too be used.

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Packet Loss

Packet loss is typically due to congested links and routers.

– 1% is noticeable

– 5% becomes intolerable

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QoS (Quality of Service)

A method of giving some packets higher priority than others.

Not currently feasible on commercial Internet and Internet2 networks for production, regular use. Internet2 is working on QoS plans, but the current over-provisioned Internet2 network doesn’t dictate need (for QoS).

Is useful on over-utilized intranet - WAN links.

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QoS

How:–Some videoconferencing terminals can set the IP precedence bits. Use that for marking and priority queuing on the WAN.

Or:–Use a H.323 Proxy for consolidation of traffic to a single address, router access list for marking, and priority queuing on the WAN.

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QoS

Caution!–The wrong implementation could result in unwanted tradeoffs, e.g., packet loss improves but jitter gets worse.

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The End-to-End Performance Problem

Scenario– Users on two different campuses of a university are experiencing poor video and audio in a conference.

– Each user is supported by a different group of videoconferencing engineers.

– Each campus is supported by a different group of network engineers.

– The wide-area network is supported by a third group of network engineers.

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Problem– How do the users get timely, useful assistance?– How is network problem resolution coordinated?

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Obstacles– Different groups, schedules, and priorities.– No one engineer has a complete understanding of the entire network path.

– No one engineer can gain access to all the network nodes (routers, switches) along the path to inspect for trouble.

– Communications are inconsistent from engineer to engineer.

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Solutions– Articulate the E-2-E problem to network management and engineers on all campuses.

– Establish reliable communication tools, and insist that engineers utilize the tools.

– Hold regular meetings; bring all engineers together in one place and time to share information.

– Have good network documentation for all networks.

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E2E Recommendations

Develop a close relationship with the network engineers and NOC. Make sure they understand what’s being done with videoconferencing and the network sensitivity of IP-based video.

Articulate the End-to-End Performance Problem to network engineering and operations management. Champion ways to reduce the problem.

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E2E Recommendations

Have engineers in the videoconferencing support group trained to understand networking issues and tools.

Be sure to open trouble tickets with your NOC so that a problem history is maintained.

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H.323 is Network Sensitive!

The big problems are:– Half/Full-duplex mismatches– Packet loss– Jitter– Substandard horizontal wiring or station cables– Multicast leaks– High broadcast rates

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Videoconferencing Over a Satellite Network

Satellite networks are inherently highly latent– You cannot beat the speed of light– Your connection is traveling over 50,000 miles

Be prepared to speak and wait and to ask others in your conference to do the same

While initially difficult to communicate, you and the other site (or sites) will become accustomed to the delay after a few minutes of conversation

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Networking Recommendations

Use switched Ethernet. Watch out for duplex mismatches. Keep an eye on utilization of WAN links, packet

loss, and jitter. Make sure you don’t have broadcast or multicast

leaking problems. Make sure wiring is up to the task. Test. Before the conference. To have enough time

to troubleshoot and correct.

Putting it all together

Gatekeepers, Multipoint Control Units (MCUs), and Gateways

Nicholas Thompson

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GateKeeperMCU

H.323 Clients

INTERNET

H.323 Videoconferencing

Web Browser

Real Video

H.323

H.320

Gateway

ISDN

POT’s line

Telephone

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GatekeepersNicholas Thompson

Bringing control to your fingertips

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What is a gatekeeper?

Physically it is a server that can be located anywhere on the network

Functionally very similar to a DNS server that does Address lookup

Adds some control functionality Creates an “H.323 zone”

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H.323 Zone

Definition– A single gatekeeper and all of the end points (clients, MCUs, and gateways) that register with the gatekeeper.

Typically is a community– E.g. University or organization

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Gatekeepers Provide:

Admission ControlCall AuthorizationAddress TranslationsBandwidth ManagementZone ManagementCall Signal RoutingManagement Functions

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Typical Gatekeeper Components

Gatekeeper Core FunctionalityWeb Server ManagementSNMP Services

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Basic Operation

Endpoints register with gatekeeper– This is a one time administrative task

Endpoint asks gatekeeper for permission to place call to another endpoint

Endpoint signals call with other endpointEndpoints exchange media directlyEndpoints disconnect, notify gatekeeper

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Technical Description

Uses TCP port 1720, UDP Port 1719, 1718– 1720 for Q.931 call control– 1719 H.225 Registration, Admission, and Status

messages (RAS)– 1718 GK discovery

Deals with H.225, H.245, Q.931– H.225: RAS as above but also call control and call

setup messages– H.245: Media control and Transport signaling

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Gatekeeper Functionality

Services: – Setup for point-to-point calls– Provides access to multipoint conferences

and gateways Neighbor Gatekeepers:

– Provides inter-zone communication Network Topology:

– Allow administrator to employ traffic shaping

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Gatekeeper Functionality

Endpoints: – Live list of registered users

Call Control: – Live list of active calls– Handy when you consider doing upgrades

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Client Authorization

Open Gatekeepers– anyone can register

Predefined EndpointsLDAP Authenticated Endpoints

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Configuration Considerations

Neighbors– Can neighbor with everyone individually– Join a dialing plan

Choose a registration mode– Open, predefined, authenticated

Choose a routing mode– Direct, Call Setup, Call Setup and Call Control

(negotiation)

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Gatekeeper to Gatekeeper Communication

Like with telephones, it is possible to “call out” of your local system if your system is connected to the “outside world”

Initialy we used neighbor tables and individual exit codes for each gatekeeper that we had defined in our gatekeepers

As more and more organizations installed gatekeepers, neighbor tables became larger and more difficult to manage

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Gatekeeper to Gatekeeper Communication

Then the Trans European Research and Education Networking Association (TERENA) came up with a plan to use a hierarchy of gatekeepers

Zone prefixes and extension numbers are defined by the national managing agent - usually the National Research Network (NRN) in that country

ViDe also joined in the adoption of this plan

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Global Dialing Scheme (GDS)

A structure for peering between gatekeepers, such that any endpoint associated with a ViDeNet zone may dial an endpoint in any other ViDeNet zone

ViDeNet Version 3 Dial Plan A numbering plan for global video and voice

over IP

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Four parts of a GDS Number

1. International Access Code (IAC) always 002. A Country Code (CC)

– Follows the ITU international access code system

3. An Organizational Prefix (OP)– In North America, ViDeNet lets you chose between E164

space and Super Space (more later)– Some countries use area code/exchange prefix

4. An Endpoint Number (EN)– A unique number assigned to each endpoint following

organization practices GDS numbers are dialed: IAC CC OP EN (without the

spaces)

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North American Numbering Scheme

The North American node of the Global Dialing Scheme utilizes an enhanced version of the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) to distribute addresses

The address space is divided into two parts: North American E.164 Space and North American Super Space

– E.164 Space correlates to existing telephone number assignments

– Super Space utilizes unused NANP address space starting with 0 or 1 to create an address space that is separate from existing telephone numbering addresses

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E164 Space

Based upon the ITU-T e.164 telephone number assigned to the current subscriber of a range of telephone numbers

For example, if a university held +1.919.226.6100 through +1.919.226.6199, then that university would be eligible for the GDS prefix 00191922661. That university could assign the remaining two digits to endpoints 00-99

Aside from maintaining direct inward dial (DID) capability for endpoints, there is no reason to limit endpoint numbering to two digits

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Super Space

Prefixes in North American Super Space (NASS) addresses are of the form: PX9– P is a 0 or 1

No North American area code starts with a 0 or a 1

– X is a variable length string of digits consisting of any digit between 0 and 8

– 9 is used as a delimiter Internet2 Commons: 189 Ohio State “Free Love”: 1109 Northwestern University: 1169

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Internet2 Commons Specific Settings

Adopted Global Dialing Scheme (GDS) – Only need two neighbors

North American Root main: 192.148.244.130 North American Root alternate: 207.75.164.39

GDS serves as Dial Plan Open registration mode “Direct” routing mode

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GDS at The Internet2 Commons

The IAC is 00, CC is 1 For the OP, Internet2 requested Super Space, and was

assigned 189 For the EN, we use your ten-digit telephone number

– If you have more than one videoconferencing station and only one telephone number, follow the ten digits by another integer

Gabe and my telephone number is 614-292-8443 and the GDS dial number of our office endpoint is: – 00 1 189 614 292 8443 (spaces for readability only)

Endpoints register with all 16 digits with the gatekeeper

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Internet2 Commons specific settings

Services are 001189 + XXX + YYYY– XXX digits to identify MCU and conference– YYYY digits for a specific users conference

Have not adopted LDAP or H.350 Currently is a Radvision ECS

– 500 concurrent calls, 3000 concurrent registrations

Soon move to GnuGK

Northwestern University Short Cut Dialing

Endpoints (clients) register as a 1 followed by the last five digits of their telephone number (plus possibly another digit if you have multiple clients and one telephone number)

Someone registered with the NU gatekeeper calls 176885

Someone outside of NU dials me as 00111689176885

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Benefits of GDS

Provides a static address in a dynamic world If you have a DHCP IP address, your GDS

number can stay the same If you travel, your GDS number can travel

with you All Internet2 Commons Conferences have

GDS Dial Strings

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Making a GDS Call

00World GK

001North American

GK

0044United Kingdom

GK

0031Netherlands

GK

0011189Internet2 Commons

GK

0011896142478066Nicholas Thompson

00313023SURFnet GK

003130230567Egon Verharen

001189Internet2 Commons

GK

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Gatekeepers Available on the Market

Standalone Gatekeeper– (e.g., RADVISION ECS)

System Blade– (e.g., RADVISION ECS on a blade of a ViaIP)

Embedded in an Endpoint– (e.g., A gatekeeper embedded in a RADVISION OnLAN MCU or gateway or Codian MCU)

Backup Gatekeeper– (e.g., RADVISION Alternate Gatekeeper)

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Gatekeepers Available on the Market

Other Gatekeepers:– Polycom PathNavigator– Cisco (RADVISION code running on Cisco IOS)– Tandberg Gatekeeper– Codian MCU-based Gatekeeper– GNU Gatekeeper (Based on Open323)

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Multipoint Control Units (MCUs)Nicholas Thompson

Bringing many together at once

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Multipoint Control Units: Hardware vs Software

Hardware• Dedicated, real-time

operating system• Generally work well• RADVISION• Polycom (Accord)• Tandberg• Codian• LifeSize

Software• Most based on Windows or

Unix OS on a server• Processor speed catching

up to make them more reliable

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MCU Control Functions

Defining a conference– Ongoing conference or scheduled– Connection Speed– Number of connections allowed– Voice Switched (VS) or– Continuous Presence (CP)

Many different layouts

Operating a conference– Dial In versus Dial Out

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MCU Control Functions

Monitoring a conference– Check to be sure it is fully attended– Mute unruly participants

Monitoring an MCU– MCU Status reports

Cascading MCUs– MCUs calling MCUs for really big conferences

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MCUs available in the market

RADVISION ViaIP (Legacy?)– Up to 100 ports at 384k VS– Powerful, reliable; ECS Gatekeeper– Gatekeeper required for dial in, but not dial out

Radvision Scopia– Chassis-based system or stand alone box– HD capabilities– Scopia Desktop

Tandberg

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MCUs Available in the Market

Polycom MGC (used to be Accord) Codian

– MCU 4200 (SD)– MCU 4500 (HD)

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RADVISION SCOPIA MCU

Newest MCU offerings from RADVISION Blade-style technology in multiple chassis

form factors The combination of blades in the system will

determine the capacity in standard and high definition

Built in web server for configuration

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Polycom MGC

3 Flavors, 25, 50 and 100Capacity varies by configurationSupport for H.264Can support ISDN, IP and ATMSeparate Software controlPriced by configurationBuilt-in reservation capability

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Tandberg MCU

16 users, 3 simultaneous conferencesSupport for H.264Embedded EncryptionSupports ISDN and IPEmbedded web server for control and configurationSmall 1U form factor, 19” Rack-mountable

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Codian MCU 4200

6, 12, 20, 30 and 40 port Standard Definition 12, 20, 30, and 40 port High Definition Embedded web server for control and configuration Built-in streaming available for conferences Direct IP-based dialing and Gatekeeper-based

dialing– For IP-based dialing you need to take Far end camera

control or use DTMF tones

Small 1U form factor, 19” Rack-mountable

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HD MCUs

Radvision, Codian, Tandberg and Polycom all have HD support on their MCUs

Some will require new hardware or software to run HD

Definition of “HD” videoconferencing depends on the manufacturer, usually 720p with 30 fps (720p = 1280 x 720 pixels)

The Commons Polycom MCU is HD-capable

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Commons MCU Testbed

Three MCUs are available for testing and discussion http://commons.internet2.edu/testing

– RADVISION viaIP– Polycom MGC 100– Codian 4240

The Commons will support remote or onsite (you come to Ohio) testing

Useful for assisting in evaluations for your own purchases

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GatewaysNicholas Thompson

Getting two different technologies to talk to each other

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Gateways

Take one technology and make it work with another– ISDN to IP (H.320 to H.323)– ATM to IP (H.321 to H.323)– SIP to IP (SIP to H.323)– Any combination of the above technologies

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Gateways available

Standalone box Special card for blade-style

MCUs/Gatekeeper Build it yourself Dual function endpoint

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Stand Alone Gateways

Typically a rack mount box with inputs for different types of lines (ISDN, ATM or IP)

Web interface for administration ISDN Gateways can take either BRI or PRI

lines– BRI=Basic Rate Interface or 64 kbps per line

usually coming in pairs– PRI=Primary Rate Interface or 23*64 kbps per

line typically transmitted over T1 line

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Blade Style Card

Will take up space that could also be used for other technology

ISDN Blades– Most take a PRI line

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ISDN Gateways

Expensive– The equipment either needs to be dedicated or set

up each time they are needed– ISDN lines carry expensive line charges and

connection fees ISDN lines provide the capability to allow

people (on travel) to dial into a multipoint videoconference from a telephone and interact via audio

Gateways

Radvision Scopia 100 Gateway Codian ISDN GW 3200 (1 to4 PRIs) Tandberg Gateway (see also

CodianGateway)

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Delivering content to those without H.323 or for later review

Streaming and ArchivalGabe Moulton

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Streaming

The one-way delivery of digital content from a streaming server to a streaming client in a continuous, paced, and controlled flow

Alleviates the need to download an entire media clip as a file– Live events don’t exist as a file yet– Allows playing to start before download is

completed

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Streaming a Videoconference

Streaming a videoconference makes it possible for any number of people to view a conference – either live or recorded for on-demand access

Viewers use desktop computers with standard media players such as Real, Windows Media, or QuickTime

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What Can I Do With Streaming?

Key individuals participate by videoconference– A larger audience views the live stream

Save the proceedings of a meeting Make a class or lecture available on-demand

for later student review

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How to Stream a Videoconference

All-in-one solutions Videoconferencing endpoints with built-in

H.26x/G.7xx multicast streaming Combination of videoconferencing terminal

and standard streaming encoder

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All-In-One Box

Can exist anywhere on the networkRepackage the H.323 content into a stream that can be interpreted by QT, Real, or WMP

DO NOT optimize for streamingExamples:

– STARBAK VCG– Virtual Rooms Videoconference Service (VRVS)– Codian MCU or IPVCR—has H.239 support

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Terminals with Built-In Streaming

Some high-end terminals such as– Polycom FX– Tandberg 880

Can multicast the H.26x/G.7xx audio and video in QT, Real and/or WMP

No ability to record for VOD Can be a burden on the local network of the

device

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Combo Endpoint and Encoder

Two standard devices…– H.323 videoconference endpoint– Streaming encoder

Are interconnected– A/V out of H.323 endpoint into A/V input of encoder

Encoder can be just about anything– Real, Windows Media, QuickTime; or MPEG-1,-2,-4; unicast or multicast

Video can be recorded and stored for VOD on server

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Combo Endpoint and Encoder

Combo Endpoint and Encoder can be complex to manage

Have to schedule and manage the encoder– Videoconference scheduling systems don’t

support viewing the pair of devices as a single logical device

MediaSite has a device that can be combined with an endpoint that can capture both the VC and H.239 if that is part of the conference.

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Streaming Quality

Combo Endpoint and Encoder uses optimized-for-streaming encoding formats

Both All-In-One Box and Endpoints with Built-In streaming repackage video and audio which is not optimized for streaming

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An end-user’s view of videoconferencing

H.323 Endpoints Gabe Moulton

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Four basic types of endpoints

Room systems Desktop systems Software-based systems Telepresence Systems

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Room Systems

Most will need a display device– Monitor, projector, etc

Mostly set-top boxes Some can be rack-mounted Some take multiple inputs for video

– Multiple cameras– VGA/Scan converter– Document camera

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Room Systems

All come with an intuitive GUI Interface Almost all use remote controls or some other

external interface Most have one or more external microphone Most hide the “administrative” features from

the end user– Many will password protect the administrative

interface to avoid users changing settings

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Room System Examples

Polycom– VSX line– HDX line

Tandberg– Set-top Series– Edge Series

LifeSize– No support for H.261

video

VTEL IPanel

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Desktop Endpoints

Have built-in processors to handle some of the video encoding

Most will rely on your PC’s monitor or will have a built-in monitor– Some with the built in monitor can take the place

of your current monitor or be used for dual screen Best to use only if you have one to three

people at your site Very few have external inputs for VGA,

external cameras, etc.131

Desktop Endpoints

Many have “strong arm” focusing which can be difficult to get the focus exactly correct

Becoming less popular and expensive compared to software endpoints on today’s faster processors

Most desktop endpoints with built in monitor are aimed at the “Executive” level

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Desktop Endpoint Examples

Polycom– VSX 3000– V700– HDX 4000

Tandberg 1000

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Software Endpoints

Most work only with Windows OS Rely on your monitor for displaying video Use USB or Firewire webcam for capturing

video– A decent USB webcam will cost about $100

Most software packages run in the $150 per endpoint range and offer a free trial period download

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Example Software Endpoints

Polycom PVX– www.polycom.com

Xmeeting – http://xmeeting.sourcefor

ge.net/– Runs on Mac OSX

RADVISION eConf– www.radvision.com

Tandberg Movi– http://

www.tandberg.com/products/pc_videoconferencing.jsp

135

http://www.polycom.com/

http://xmeeting.sourceforge.net/

http://xmeeting.sourceforge.net/

http://www.radvision.com/

Telepresence Setups (H.323)

Multiple systems working together– Polycom– Tandberg– Lifesize

Specific room setup Illusion of one single

room

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Getting you and your space ready for videoconferencing

Environmental Considerations Gabe Moulton

137

Setting Up for a Videoconference

Clothing Lighting Back Drop Audio setup Large Conference Room considerations

138

Clothing

Solid color shirts “Busy” outfits blur when

on camera Simpler patterns aid the

video compression

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Lighting

Soft white frontal light Standard overhead lights

can cast shadows—especially if the user wears glasses

Think of TV studio lighting Camera can not focus in

low light—keep this in mind if you use a projector

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Backdrop

No hard lines or complicated patterns Can use a dry erase board, but be aware of

glare Solid darker color is ideal

– Avoid red backgrounds they can be hard on the viewing site

Give audience one thing to focus on—YOU Good idea—use a sign to indicate your location

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Bad Backdrop

142

Good Backdrop

143

Audio Setup

Keep the microphone away from where the speakers are located– This can cause audio loop back

Test audio levels ahead of time– Make a test call – Use built-in features of the endpoint to test

144

Audio Setup

Make sure microphones are away from extraneous noise generators– Air conditioners– Laptop/Projector fans

May need to add echo canceling hardware– This is less common as endpoints become MUCH

better at handling audio

145

Large Room Considerations

Position the camera to see the primary speaker and audience– May want to add additional cameras

Good lighting Designate locations for Q&A with

microphones Avoid panning the camera too much

– Use endpoint “presets”

146

Other Considerations

Plasma burn-in– Many endpoint use icons while in a call– These icons can lead to burn-in on the plasma

screen

Projectors– Newer, brighter projectors (3000+ lumens) are

plenty bright to have room lights on during videoconferences

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Make every conference an enjoyable one

Videoconferencing Etiquette Gabe Moulton

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Plan Your Videoconference

Send the agenda and handouts in advance Allow a few minutes for call setup and shut

down time Stick to the time limits Unplug room telephone or turn off the ringer

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Be Considerate

“Can you hear me, can you hear me?” Remember to mute your microphone when

you are not talking to the group Use a location banner and name tags in case

you are not on a first-name basis with the others in your conference

Take turns speaking and allow time for audio delay

150

Be Considerate

Don’t Multi-task on cameraBe aware of possible audio distractions

if your microphone is not muted– Coughing– Paper rattling– AC units, Laptop and projector fans

Don’t bring food unless all sites will be eating

151

Tips for Getting Started

Provide an overview workshop for new users to learn basics– Share rules of etiquette– Get experience using the remote control– The importance of muting

152

Tips for Getting Started

Publish and distribute print materials or create a website describing basic equipment use and listing the site coordinator’s contact information

Emphasize simple practices like having a clear meeting agenda, muting the microphone, and how to use the remote control

153

Test, test, test

Test with every location thoroughly– Testing will help address equipment and

networking issues in advanceTesting provides experience and

creates a positive end experienceMurphy’s Law: If something can go

wrong, it will

154

Why We Test

A student had a thesis defenseMoved from the planned, tested

location just prior to a videoconference– Original testing went fine– Far site moved their unit just moments

before the conference was to begin– Nervous presenter waited while new

problems were corrected

155

156

Site Coordinator DutiesBob Dixon

What is expected of you

157

Be Your Organization’s Videoconferencing Liaison

Work with the people in your group to assist with scheduling and testing

Establish relationship with your users and best practices for your group

Work with other site coordinators at other organizations

Work with users in conferences you schedule to be sure they can connect

Make nice with your organization’s network administrators

– They can be your best friend in making H.323 really work for your organization

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Troubleshooting Point to Point Videoconferences

Make sure the network is up to the task– Eliminate Firewall or NAT as troublemaker

Make sure both endpoints are turned on and have valid IP addresses– Some endpoints have built-in hub and if the

Ethernet cable is plugged in here, it will not work– Most will give an indication that they have a valid

IP address, but they can be wrong– Make sure you have link lights

159

Troubleshooting Multipoint Conferences

Number 1 support call: “I can’t get into the conference”

Make sure all sites have followed the directions Make sure you have the time and date correct Make sure all sites are registered to a GDS

Gatekeeper Double check your speed and what you dialed

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Follow Directions

Commons Dialing Directions come with a date and time (with time zone) reminder and directions similar to this example:

1. Register with a GDS Gatekeeper, if you need to borrow space go here: http://commons.internet2.edu/reggate

2. Make sure you are connecting at 384 kbps3. Dial 001189 700 1234 (no spaces)4. Call 614-292-xxxx for technical support

http://commons.internet2.edu/reggate

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Timing is everything

Time zone confusion can be problematic Don’t be surprised if your Tuesday

conference is empty on Wednesday, or simply won’t let you in!

162

Registering with a Gatekeeper

Many new users have never done this Typically an administrative chore and

requires administrative access to the endpoint’s settings

This does take a few minutes and can require some rebooting, so be prepared

If your campus is already GDS, make a note of that on the cheat sheet in VC room

163

How to register with the Commons Gatekeeper

1. In your videoconferencing endpoint unit, navigate to the H.323 settings menu

2. Enter your email address as your endpoint’s H.323 Name

This gives administrators some idea of who is registering and from where

164

How to register with the Commons Gatekeeper (cont.)

3. Assign yourself an E.164 number in this format

001189 + your 10 digit phone number If your phone number is (111) 555-0000,

your GDS number would be 0011891115550000

Your endpoint's system may need to be rebooted.

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How to register with the Commons Gatekeeper (cont.)

4. Navigate back to the H.323/Gatekeeper setting

5. Enter the following IP address: 192.148.244.115

Again, your endpoint may need to be rebooted

6. Congratulations! You should now be registered with the Internet2 Commons Gatekeeper

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Global Dialing Scheme

The Global Dialing Scheme (GDS) provides a structure for peering between gatekeepers, such that any endpoint associated with a ViDeNet zone may dial an endpoint in any other ViDeNet zone.

See www.vide.net

167

Again, why should I use GDS?

Achieves a static address or number in dynamic world– If you move your system around from room to room

on DHCP network, you can always be called using the same number

Allows for “long distance” dialing without having to change Gatekeepers

Facilitates use of MCUs by people in different organizations or countries

168

Check your speed!

Some MCUs will not let you in if you dial at an incorrect speed

Some will only give you partial connection – Only audio– Only video– Frozen image

Faster is not always the best way to go!

169

Check your digits!

One added or missing number may put you in a completely different place

Some MCUs have predefined meeting “rooms” where a mistyped dial string will cause failure to connect

You do not enter the spaces in a GDS dial string, the spaces are for readability like the parenthesis and dashes in telephone numbers

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Is your Polycom lying to you?

Polycom ViewStations have a really great feature that will tell you your IP address is good

THEY LIE!!!– If you have a hard-coded IP address, it will

automatically tell you that it has an IP address even if no network cable is plugged in

– Sometimes they’ll lie if they’re set up for DHCP

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Solutions to the lying Polycom

Be sure a network cable is plugged into the correct jack and look for link lights

Make sure the jack you are using can give you the IP address you want

Try DHCP, registering to a Gatekeeper, or rebooting – Be sure to record the current settings for later use

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Do you have a Firewall or NAT?

Firewall + H.323 = Bad NAT + H.323 = Bad Firewall + NAT + H.323 = Bad

173

Still can’t get in?

Some endpoints require you to specify for them to dial by IP or LAN

Is your endpoint ISDN or ATM?– You will need a gateway to convert your signal to IP

and back

Check to make sure the Ethernet cable is plugged into the right place– Some of the older Polycoms have an Ethernet jack

AND a hub port

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Okay, now I’m in but it looks terrible!

Do you have enough bandwidth?– A dedicated T1 for video might not be enough– Say you have 4 endpoints all videoconferencing at 384

kbps– 4 * 384 kbps = 1536 kbps which is your WHOLE T1 and

that doesn’t allow room for overhead– Network congestion can cause a poor

videoconferencing experience Did you check your duplex settings

– Duplex mismatch is the “silent killer” of videoconferencing

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Another word on etiquette

Remember to mute your microphone Try to stay in the frame of the video for the other

end’s pleasure– There’s nothing more distracting that looking at the

top of someone’s head or out their window

Cut down on visual and audio distractions in the room– Air conditioners, fans, and poor mic placement– Busy backgrounds and clothing

176

And never forget…

Test Test TEST!!!

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How To Become a Certified Site Coordinator

Bob Dixon

What you’ve all been waiting for!

178

Take the Final Exam

Go to http://commons.internet2.edu/participate Fill out the form there The Commons Tech Support Team will receive the

form, send you an email, and ask for some more information that is not on the form (on purpose)

You will then be certified and be on the Internet2 Commons site coordinator web list

http://commons.internet2.edu/participate

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Who Can Be a Site Coordinator?

Anyone who has taken this course OR, anyone who currently works with

videoconferencing in their organization and wants to self-certify– For a list of required knowledge to self-certify see

http://commons.internet2.edu/sccertify.html

You DO NOT need to subscribe to The Internet2 Commons to become a Certified Site Coordinator

http://commons.internet2.edu/sccertify.html

180

Some excellent resources

www.vide.net Look for the ViDe Videoconferencing Cookbook

www.megaconference.org to sign up for the Megaconference Mailing List

http://commons.internet2.edu and Site Coordinator Mailing List – You will be signed up to that list when you take

the final exam

http://www.vide.net/

http://www.megaconference.org/

http://commons.internet2.edu/

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The Internet2 CommonsBob Dixon

How to put it to use for your organization

182

What is The Internet2 Commons?

A production H.323 video conferencing bridging service, and related services

A test bed for new videoconferencing and collaboration tools

183

The Internet2 Commons Mission

Promote and facilitate remote collaboration throughout the Internet2 research and education community by means of innovative and integrated, standards-based Internet technologies

Build on useful technologies to create collaboration services that are: sustainable, scalable, and affordable

Push developers to interoperate and listen to our users

Internet2 Commons Philosophy

• We are here to HELP people, not to run a business.

• We believe in the power of video conferencing to promote world togetherness.

• We use a shared, decentralized support model, to decrease costs and increase collegiality.

• We encourage vendors to donate equipment and services, to decrease costs and provide exposure and recognition for them.

185

Current Internet2 Commons Services

Scheduled video conferences Ad-hoc video conferences Technical help from the OSCnet NOC and

OSU professional staff Video streaming and archiving Access to collaboration tools: IOCOM, Microsoft Conference XP, Vidyo

186

Current Internet2 Commons Services (cont.)

Unlimited free gatekeeper registration for anyone Operation of Gatekeepers: Western Hemisphere World Gatekeeper both of the redundant North American Gatekeepers both of the redundant Commons Gatekeepers the historic Free Love Gatekeeper Free support of many events, such as

Megaconferences (NOV 6!), Megaconference Juniors, Gigaconferences, Collaboranzas, Internet2-related conferences (such as this one), etc.

How to use it!

I2 Commons Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing Service

I2 Commons Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing Service

Definition

Example

Application

Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing- Definition -

Fixed meeting parameters– Total number of connections– Connection speed– Dialing sequence & procedure (dial in/out)– Video display

Voice Switched (VS) or Continuous Presence (CP) Layout, e.g.,

Result: H.323 virtual room– Managed by the Site Coordinator

etc.

Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing- Definition -

Fixed meeting parameters– Total number of connections– Connection speed– Dialing sequence & procedure (dial in/out)– Video display

Voice Switched (VS) or Continuous Presence (CP) Layout, e.g.,

Result: H.323 virtual room– Managed by the Site Coordinator

etc.

Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing- Example -

Maximum connections: 8 Connection speed: 384 Kbps Dial procedure: Participants dial in Dialing sequence: 001189130xxxx Video display: Continuous Presence Layout:

Ad Hoc Multi-point VideoconferencingApplication: University of Iowa

College of Nursing students participate in multiple Master and PhD classes using H.323 video conferencing.

Ad Hoc Multi-point VideoconferencingApplication: University of Iowa

College of Nursing students participate in multiple Master and PhD classes using H.323 video conferencing.

Calendar

Ad Hoc Multi-point Video Conferencing- Advantages -

Same dialing instructions for each video conference

Test calls are easier to schedule Responsiveness to late requests:

18 19 20 21 22

25 26 27 28 29First dayFirst dayof classesof classesFirst dayFirst day

of classesof classes

Instructors beginInstructors beginsubmitting requestssubmitting requests

for multi-pointfor multi-pointconferencingconferencing

Instructors beginInstructors beginsubmitting requestssubmitting requests

for multi-pointfor multi-pointconferencingconferencing

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New Trial Internet2 Commons Services

Site Coordinators run the Commons MCUs themselves.

Live monitoring of video conferences Guaranteed gatekeeper support and assistance Video streaming and archiving, NOT associated

with a video conference These are all optional additional services, with

additional costs.

Who can join the Commons?

Any non-profit or educational organization affiliated with Internet2

You need not be an Internet2 member You need not be connected to Internet2.

As a Commons member, who can I conference with?

ANYBODY anywhere in the world who has H.323 capability

They need not be Internet2 members They need not be Commons members They need not be connected to Internet2

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Why Should I Join The Commons?

You have need of bridging multiple H.323 sites for distance education, bringing in branch campuses, town meetings, etc

You have your own MCU or bridging service and you want overflow or back-up service

You need streaming video and archiving of your video conferences

You need technical assistance You would like to try out the collaboration tools

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How To Join the Commons

Take this class Go to http://commons.internet2.edu Fill out the membership application form Pay the basic membership fee ($2000 for

300 port hours/year). Videoconference away!

Current Commons Members

Boston CollegeCarnegie Mellon (Qatar)CILCCIC (Big 10)CLARA (Latin America Network)ClemsonConcurrent TechnologiesDukeGreen Building AllianceHarvardInternet2Jackson StateMAGPIMichigan (3)

NorthwesternOhio Supercomputer CenterOhio StateOSHEANRutgersSan Diego Supercomputer CenterAlabama - BirminghamConnecticutIowaMinnesotaUniv Puerto Rico (2)St ThomasWisconsinWashington Univ

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202

What does the Commons get you?

Mature technology, accepted standards, multiple vendors

Advanced features in multiple MCUs Help! when you need it…and before MCUs, streamers and gatekeepers have

unlimited bandwidth connectivity to the Internet.

All equipment is remote controlled, and located in a secure, environmental and power controlled facility

203

Requesting Use of The Commons

Only subscribers can request Commons services

Right now requests are handled either by the submission of the form or over the telephone

204

Request Using the Web Form

http://commons.internet2.edu/vcrequest– Password protected– Password sent upon completing subscription

Form is automatically emailed to the Internet2 Commons NOC at OSCnet– You will receive a confirming email with

connection information

205

Email the Request

Send to [email protected] Include:

– Date, start time, end time, time zone– Your contact information– Connection speed– Number of sites– Select VS or CP and layout– Streaming request

206

Most commonly used layouts

207

Special FREE TRIAL period

The month immediately following the Site Coordinator Training, all services are FREE to everyone. A limit of oneconference at a time, and a limit of 50port hours will be set up.

Note, only certified site coordinators can request services, so be sure to complete the certification process.

208

New Services Coming in 2009

The Commons Management Team meets twice a month to discuss operational issues for the Commons. We plan on rolling out some new features in 2009. One new feature will be a monitored conference. We also have plans to add an HD MCU.

We are also in process of re-engaging our Commons Corporate Members. Watch our website for further details.

209

Thank you

We expect our inbox to be flooded with Site Coordinator forms!

Documents

Videoconferencing Technology Workshop