i can’t get into the conference! …and other problems encountered megan troyer the ohio state...
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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:
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 kbps
3. Dial 001189 700 1234 (no spaces)
4. 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 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
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
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.
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
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
