I Can’t Get Into the Conference! …and other problems encountered
Megan TroyerThe Ohio State University and OARnet
Internet2 Site Coordinator TrainingSeptember, 2004Austin, Texas
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Follow Directions
Commons Dialing Directions come with a date and time (with time zone) reminder and directions like:
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
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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 wont let you in!
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Registering with a Gatekeeper
Many new users have never done thisTypically 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
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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
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How to Register with the Commons Gatekeeper
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
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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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
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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
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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!
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Check Your Digits!
One added number may put you in a completely different place
Some MCUs have predefined meeting “rooms” where a mistyped dial string will cause disconnection
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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Do You have a Firewall or NAT?
Firewall + H.323 = BadNAT + H.323 = BadFirewall + NAT + H.323 = BadThe Commons runs and manages a Ridgeway IP Freedom server
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Ridgeway IP Freedom
Simple port translation box to allow H.323 to use native dynamic spread of TCP and UDP ports
Makes sure the traffic makes it back to where you are
Registers you with the Commons GatekeeperLimited seats on the serverWill allow subscribers to use our box until we run out of space and have to kick people off
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Still Can’t Get In?
Some endpoints require you to specify for them to dial by IP
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
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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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A Word on Etiquette
Remember to mute your microphoneTry 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
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And Never Forget…
TestTestTEST!!!Murphy’s law: If something can go wrong, it will.