I Can’t Get Into the Conference! …and other problems encountered

1. I Can’t Get Into the Conference! …and other problems encountered Megan Troyer The Ohio State University and OARnet Internet2 Site Coordinator Training September, 2004 Austin, Texas

2. Follow Directions • Commons Dialing Directions come with a date and time (with time zone) reminder and directions like: • Register with a GDS Gatekeeper, if you need to borrow space go here: http://commons.internet2.edu/reggate • Make sure you are connecting at 384 kbps • Dial 001189 700 1234 (no spaces) • Call 614-292-xxxx for technical support

3. 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!

4. Registering with a Gatekeeper • Many new users have never done this • Typically 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

5. How to Register with the Commons Gatekeeper • In your videoconferencing endpoint unit, navigate to the H.323 settings menu • Enter your email address as your endpoint’s H.323 Name • This gives administrators some idea of who is registering and from where

6. How to Register with the Commons Gatekeeper • 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.

7. How to Register with the Commons Gatekeeper • Navigate back to the H.323/Gatekeeper setting • Enter the following IP address: 192.148.244.115 • Again, your endpoint may need to be rebooted • Congratulations! You should now be registered with the Internet2 Commons Gatekeeper

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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!

11. 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

12. Do You have a Firewall or NAT? • Firewall + H.323 = Bad • NAT + H.323 = Bad • Firewall + NAT + H.323 = Bad • The Commons runs and manages a Ridgeway IP Freedom server

13. 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 Gatekeeper • Limited seats on the server • Will allow subscribers to use our box until we run out of space and have to kick people off

14. 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

15. 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

16. A Word on Etiquette • Remember to mute your microphone • Try 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

17. And Never Forget… • Test • Test • TEST!!! • Murphy’s law: If something can go wrong, it will.

18. Questions? Thank you Megan Troyer Troyer.59@osu.edu (614) 292-8443