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Technology Models |
Desktop Video Conferencing
Version: 1.1
Status: Proposed: 5/18/01
Contact: Teresa Thomas
Purpose:
To provide a set of objectives for the development of a system-wide desktop video conferencing model.Scope:
This model defines the functions, roles, and flow of information and service level expectations for desktop video conferencing within the VCCS.Applicability:
This model is applicable to all colleges and campuses within the VCCS.Model:
Video conferencing is technology that expands our current desktop personal computer into a collaborative office tool. Whether it involves a colleague, customer, or vendor, timely and accurate communication is one of the most important business activities.
Business communication today often means taking information from a computer and relaying it to others. This process typically involves printing files, faxing, mailing or shipping the documents, followed by a phone call to discuss and revise the information, resulting in the need to update the original files. Desktop conferencing improves this process by allowing direct communication between one or more personal computers without all the intermediate steps.
The video portion of conferencing allows colleagues to see each other as well as the documents they are working on. Key visual communication elements become part of the conferencing experience. As a result, they gain the same advantages of a face-to-face meeting while avoiding the downtime associated with leaving the office.
This model will be modified as required by this fast changing technology.
Video Networking Strategy:
Desktop video conferencing will use the existing campus network and Net.Work.Virginia, when applicable, as a method to transport video, audio and data from one desktop, server or conference room video system to one or more video enabled desktops within or outside the VCCS. The ITU H.323 Video/Audio and ITU T.120 Data Sharing Standards will ensure interoperability between desktops and conferencing centers.
The existing classroom systems use the H.321 Standard to conduct classes. With the current limitation of interoperability between H.321 and H.323 systems, classroom and desktop video conferencing systems are unable to communicate directly.
Available bandwidth, video/audio hardware and encoding and/or decoding compression rates will affect achievable expectations for the video quality. All of these variables affect what we see, hear and share on campus networks.
Video Connectivity:
The components of the Desktop Videoconferencing PC include:
Desktop:
An area suitable for video and that would not interfere with other co-workers/students. The office should be wired with category 5 cabling, electrical power, telephone, and access to the campus network and Net.Work.Virginia.
Personal Computer:
A personal computer equipped with an H.323 based codec and video software with a suitably sized monitor, speakers/headphones, microphone, camera, and T.120 data sharing software for video conferencing.
Video Bridges:
Video bridges provide multipoint connectivity between multiple H.323 desktops. Bridges may be configured for any combination of conferences, up to the total number of ports on the bridge.
Scheduling System:
For multipoint conferencing, a Web based scheduling package is required for video bridge scheduling.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Technical support:
Level 1: College staff/faculty will support desktop video configurations, installations, training and troubleshooting. College technical support staff will ensure local area network will support number of proposed desktop video conferencing PC's.
Level 2: Utility Call Desk will be responsible for basic troubleshooting and are expected to resolve routine problems related to video services solve most minor problems immediately, and refer more complex problems to the appropriate product specialist as quickly as possible. Repetitive problems should be brought to the attention of the Utility Product Specialist.
Level 3: The Utility Product Specialist will work with college support staff and vendors to research complex and non-routine problems and provide their resolution. Additionally, the Utility Product Specialist will be responsible for the following: distributing configuration information, updates, usage documentation and testing new releases with the consulting support of Advanced Technology Engineers and the vendors.
Usage:
Individual staff/faculty/student customers will be responsible for learning how to use the technology, security and scheduling the use of the resource(s).
Video Network:
An individual should be able to use their desktop video conferencing capabilities any time, based on availability of network resources. Multipoint conferencing will require the scheduling of the conference and notifying attendees of the pending meeting. VCCS has recommended the purchase of a Web based scheduling system for this purpose.
SERVICES
Point-to Point Session
Availability*
Near/far-end video window scaleable to full screen - Now
15fps minimum FCIF/15-30fps QCIF video - Now
32-bit ActiveMovie software architecture - Now
Call initiation, answer, and termination via on-screen menus - Now
Manual and auto answer - Now
Interoperability with Microsoft's NetMeeting 2.0 - Now
Bi-directional application sharing (word processing,
spreadsheet etc) - Now
Shared Whiteboard - Now
File Transfer - Now
Shared Clipboard - Now
| Multi Person Session:
T.120 data sharing listed above - Now |
| H.323 multipoint video and audio conferencing w/video bridge - 2001 |
Network Interface:
Any LAN/WAN running TCP/IP with the bandwidth options - 64k, 174k, 384k each way for video.
Network stack required - TCP/IP
* May be available in one or more products currently on the market
