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I can’t get into the conference! …and other problems encountered. Megan Troyer The Ohio State University Internet2 Site Coordinator Training March 2005 Atlanta, GA. Follow Directions. Commons Dialing Directions come with a date and time (with time zone) reminder and directions like:
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I can’t get into the conference! …and other problems encountered Megan Troyer The Ohio State University Internet2 Site Coordinator Training March 2005 Atlanta, GA
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
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!
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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!
Check your digits! • One added or missing number may put you in a completely different place • Some MCUs have predefined meeting “rooms” where a mistyped dial string will cause fail to connect • You do not enter the spaces in a GDS dial string, the spaces are for readability like the parenthesis and dashes in telephone numbers
Do you have a Firewall or NAT? • Firewall + H.323 = Bad • NAT + H.323 = Bad • Firewall + NAT + H.323 = Bad
Still can’t get in? • Some endpoints require you to specify for them to dial by IP or LAN • 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 • Some of the older Polycoms have an Ethernet jack AND a hub port
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
Another 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
And never forget… • Test • Test • TEST!!! • Murphy’s law: If something can go wrong it will
Questions? Thank you Megan Troyer Troyer.59@osu.edu (614) 292-8443