CVN Operator Guide

Table of Contents

Preface:

1. Operational Tips:

1.1. Connecting to a conference
1.2. Terminating a call
1.3. Open microphones

2. Troubleshooting Tips:

2.1. Purple/lavender screen
2.2. Busy message when making a call
2.3. Frozen video
2.4. Low/no audio

3. Configuration:

3.1. Profiles
3.2. ATM name resolution server (V-Gate)
3.3. Address Book entries
3.4. Speed Dialing

Preface:
This guide is intended as a quick reference guide for users of the compressed video network. It is a living document that will be updated, as new information becomes available. Its accuracy and completeness depend on user input. Please report any errors and information that may be useful to others to the author via email at rolton@vccs.cc.va.us. The authoritative version it is located a URL http://www.vccs.edu/its/projects/CVN%20Operator%20Guide.htm and may be viewed/printed as needed.

1. Operational Tips:

1.1. Connecting to a conference -

1.1.1. SVC based systems -
The new SVC based systems only need to be powered up to participate in a conference. There is no "dial in" process required unless you are the originating site in a point-to-point conference. The new systems use a default profile that allows them to automatically answer incoming calls (see Section 3. below).

a) Power up the codec and make sure that you get a "system ready" message. If not, power down the codec and restart it. If you cannot get it to power up properly, call the Help Desk to report the problem.

b) If you are NOT the originating site in a point-to-point conference, stop and wait for the other system to call you.

c) If, and ONLY if, you are the originating site in a point-to-point conference, click on the speed dial button for the desired remote site. Note that the speed dial button must first be configured for the remote site (see Section 3, below).

1.1.2. PVC based systems -
The old PVC based systems need to be powered up AND dial the MCU to participate in a conference. There are two profiles needed on the old systems. The first for conferencing with another old system and a second for conferencing with a new system (see Section 3. below).

b) Click on the appropriate speed dial button for the type of conference you have. If ALL of the sites in the conference are using old systems, use the TC Profile button. If there are ANY new systems in the conference, use the Standards Profile button. Note that the speed dial buttons must first be configured for the profiles (see Section 3, below).

1.2. Terminating a call -

When terminating a call, make sure that all sites "hang up". Though this is not necessary for the old PVC based systems, it is absolutely required for the new SVC based systems. The new SVC based systems are configured to automatically answer incoming calls. If you don't "hang up" at the end of a call, the system will think that the conference is still going on and give a busy signal to any new incoming conference setup request.

1.3. Open microphones -

Open microphones are a major cause of conference problems, especially in multipoint conferences. Extraneous sounds from an open microphone cause the MCU to attempt to switch to that site whenever no one is speaking. Every time the person speaking pauses, the bridge attempts to switch back to the site with the open microphone. All sites except the originating site should mute their microphones or use "push-to-talk" microphones as part of their normal conference operating procedures.

2. Troubleshooting Tips:

2.1. Purple/lavender screen -

This is usually caused by poor connections. Check all wiring.

2.2. Busy message when making a call -

2.2.1. If ringing is not heard during the dialing process and you get an immediate "Busy" signal, the most likely cause is that there is a codec configuration problem related to the name resolution server. The possibilities are a) the codec has not been configured to use the server, b) the wrong server has been selected, or c) the codec has been configured with the wrong server address.

a) Open the "MGS Client Editor" window and make sure that the "Enable Access to V-Gate" box is checked. If it is not, check it and click the "Save" button. If it is checked, proceed to b.

b) Check the name in the V-Gate server box. If it is not the correct server for the destination site network, select the correct server name and click on the "Save" button. If it is the correct name, proceed to c.

c) Click the "Edit Address" button. Highlight the correct server name in the list and check the ATM address configured for the name. Correct as required and click the "Replace" button. You will be returned to the "MGS Client Editor" window. Click the "Save" button.

d) If none of the above resolve the problem, contact the Help Desk to report it.

2.2.2. If ringing is heard during dialing and you get a "Busy" signal, the most likely cause is that the other site is already in a conference. Call the other site on the telephone to find out. If they are not in a conference, have them "hang up" their codec anyway. The codec may think that it is still connected to a previous conference because the previous user did not "hang up" when they finished their conference.

2.3. Frozen video -

If the network randomly drops a few cells, the video may "freeze" momentarily or the motion may be "jerky". This is a normal video system reaction to congestion in the network. There are many possible reasons for the congestion. However, excessive "freezing" may indicate a severe network problem. If you experience "excessive" freezing, please call the Help Desk to report it. Knowing which sites are being affected may help the network staff isolate the problem.

Constantly "frozen" video can be the result of a) the conference connection dropping, or b) a severe bandwidth shortage (either in the campus NWV connection or NWV itself).

a) If you have also lost audio, check to see that you still have a connection to the conference. Open the "Conference Connection" window and see if you are still connected. If not, "hang up" and wait for the MCU to call you back. If it does not call back within a few minutes, call the Help Desk to report the problem.

b) If you still have an audio connection to the conference, you are still connected to the conference. The frozen video indicates a severe shortage of bandwidth, which should be reported to the Help Desk as soon as possible.

2.4. Low/no audio -

Check to make sure that you are receiving audio. Open the tool bar "Audio" window and check the "Rcv" bar. If it is moving into the yellow and or green ranges you are receiving audio and the problem is within your system. Check the volume setting on your monitor. Make sure that it is set to at least half of the possible range. Check the volume setting on your codec. Make sure that it is set to at least half of the possible range.

If you are receiving little or no audio call the Help Desk and report the problem. If you are receiving a low audio signal, you may be able to get an acceptable audio level by turning up the volume on your codec and monitor.

3. Configuration:

3.1. Profiles -

3.1.1. SVC based system default profile properties -

Profile Name - VCCS
Auto Config - checked
Comm Protocol - H.221
Audio Protocol - ITU G.722 Mu LAW
Video Protocol - ITU H.261
Speed - 1152
Suffix - *1152*
Dial Mode - direct
Single port calls - use port A
Auto answer audio - checked
Auto answer video - checked

3.1.2. PVC based system default profile properties -

Profile Name - Standards Profile (for use in new system conferences only)
Auto Config - NOT checked
Comm Protocol - H.221
Audio Protocol - ITU G.711 Mu LAW
Video Protocol - ITU H.261
Speed - 1152
Dial Mode - direct
Single port calls - use port A
Auto answer audio - NOT checked
Auto answer video - NOT checked

3.1.3. PVC based system alternate profile properties -

Profile Name - TC Profile (for use in old system conferences only)
Auto Config - NOT checked
Comm Protocol - HDLC
Audio Protocol - ITU G.711 Mu LAW
Video Protocol - ITU H.261
Speed - 1152
Dial Mode - direct
Single port calls - use port A
Auto answer audio - NOT checked
Auto answer video - NOT checked

3.2. ATM name resolution server (V-Gate) -

The codec must be configured to use the V-Gate address resolution server. There are three elements to the configuration.

a) The codec must be configured with the ATM address of the V-Gate(s). The current V-Gate address is available from the Help Desk. Open the "MGS Client" window. If the "Use V-Gate box is not checked, check it by clicking on it. This will allow you to click on the "Address" button, opening the "Edit Address" window. Each ATM name resolution server entry needs a unique name. The name "Primary" is associated with the VCCS primary server. Key it into the "name" field. Select the "UNI" address type by clicking on the "UNI" box. Tab to the address field and key in the ATM address of the primary server. Click the "Save" button. You will be returned to the "MGS Client" window.

b) Select the primary entry in the "Use V-Gate" field. This will tell the codec to use the primary server.

c) Click the "Save" button to store the configuration and exit the "MGS Client" window.

3.3. Address Book Entries -

Open the "Call" window. Select the "address Book" folder. Click the "new" button. Key in a name for the remote site that is easy to remember/use.

Tab to the "A:" field and enter the address of the site. This is a pseudo telephone number used to look up the ATM address in the name resolution server. The VCC Utility assigns the pseudo addresses for all VCCS sites. The addresses may be obtained from the Help Desk.

Tab to the "Line Speed" field. Select the "1152" entry.

You must now associate a profile with the remote site -
a) If you are configuring a new system and the remote system is also a new system, click the "Use Default Profile" button. Click the "Save" button to store the configuration.

b) If you are configuring an old system and the remote site is a new system, click on the "Always Use" button and select the "Standards Profile". Click the "Save" button to store the configuration. If the remote site is an old system, click the "Use Default Profile" button. Click the "Save" button to store the configuration.

3.4. Speed dialing -

Open the "Speed Dialer" window. Select an entry from the site list. With the arrow on the entry, depress the left mouse button and "drag" the entry name to one of the unused speed dial buttons. Release the left mouse button. The site may now be dialed by a single click on the speed dial button. Up to six sites may be configured for speed dialing (one on each of the six available speed dial buttons).