Rollout of H.323 Videoconferencing Service

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Rollout of H.323 Videoconferencing Service

• Linda Roos
• OARnet

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Todays Session

• Videoconferencing in Ohio
• Resources available
• Avoiding the Blame Game
• Issues to be resolved

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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

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Resources

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

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OARnets Advantage

• ITEC-Ohio
• H.323 Beacon
• Used to qualify an H.323 videoconference
• No manual intervention necessary
• Existing tools expensive

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OARnets Advantage

• Bob Dixon
• Internet2 Commons second level support
• Largest concentration of MCUs in world

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MCUs at OARnet/Ohio State

• OARnet MCUs
• Internet2 MCUs

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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

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Internet2 MCUs

• Accord MCG100
• 60 H.323 connections
• RadVision Via IP
• 50 H.323 connections
• Gatekeeper built in
• Six RadVision OnLan
• 9 ports each

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Avoiding the Blame Game

• Register
• Site Coordinator Certification
• Schedule Videoconference
• Test, test, test
• Conference

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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 Lets Fix the Problem Game
• Class provides ideas on what can go wrong in
  local network

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Upcoming Workshops

• Introduction to Videoconferencing
• February 27, 2002
• 150.00
• Videoconferencing Certification Class
• March 26 and 27, 2002
• 150.00
• Contact Julie Miller (jmiller_at_oar.net)

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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

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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

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Issues to be Resolved

• Dialing plan
• Automated scheduling

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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)

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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

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Contact Information

• Linda Roos
• OARnet
• 614.728.8100 x351
• lroos_at_oar.net