Rollout of H.323 Videoconferencing Service Linda Roos OARnet

Today’s Session Videoconferencing in Ohio Resources available Avoiding the Blame Game Issues to be resolved

Videoconferencing in Ohio 87 Colleges and Universities in Ohio Only H.323 No plans for AGN or mpeg-2 Testing in 2001 Service initiated on January 1, 2002 $960/year Evolving process Streaming a possibility

Resources Full-time engineering staff NOC staff ITEC-Ohio staff Ohio State staff

OARnet’s Advantage ITEC-Ohio H.323 Beacon Used to qualify an H.323 videoconference No manual intervention necessary Existing tools expensive

OARnet’s Advantage Bob Dixon Internet2 Commons second level support Largest concentration of MCUs in world

MCUs at OARnet/Ohio State OARnet MCUs Internet2 MCUs

OARnet MCUs Two Accord MGC100 MCUs Each allows about 60 H.323 connections One allows voice calls One also allows ATM and ISDN connections Three RadVision OnLan MCUs Each has nine ports

Internet2 MCUs Accord MCG H.323 connections RadVision Via IP 50 H.323 connections Gatekeeper built in Six RadVision OnLan 9 ports each

Avoiding the Blame Game Register Site Coordinator Certification Schedule Videoconference Test, test, test Conference

Avoiding the Blame Game Certified site coordinators Mirrors Internet2 Commons effort Offer bi-monthly classes Self-certification possible Must test to complete certification Becomes a “Let’s Fix the Problem” Game Class provides ideas on what can go wrong in local network

Upcoming Workshops Introduction to Videoconferencing February 27, 2002 $ Videoconferencing Certification Class March 26 and 27, 2002 $ Contact Julie Miller

Avoiding the Blame Game Firewalls a problem NAT a problem Switched 10 mb ethernet Full duplex Mismatch of full and half duplex problematic Older Polycom equipment (half duplex) Cabling is important CAT-5 is not always CAT-5 CAT-5 enhanced or CAT-6 Buy best cable available

Avoiding the Blame Game Adequate resources to do what you need to do Personnel Funding Equipment Transition from ATM to IP can be expensive Staff training Equipment Upgrades

Issues to be Resolved Dialing plan Automated scheduling

Dialing Plan Currently do not have one Evolving as videoconferencing world becomes more complex Will be following VideNet plan Started with decentralized plan Every gatekeeper knew all Hierarchical model (DNS-like)

Automated Scheduling Currently manual Support Center Internet2 Commons Investigating Products Expensive Most only work with particular MCU Algorithms could be complicated Can run out of one resource before another Some human intervention necessary

Contact Information Linda Roos OARnet x351