Communication - Activities
Objectives
- to enable communication and sharing of information within the Consortium and with collaborators outside the Consortium
- to assist other multi-institutional collaborative migration projects with video communications by sharing expertise and extending access to the CMC investment in technological and human infrastructure and sharing expertise
Collaboration and Release Policy
Technology
Network Hardware
The Consortium videoconferencing network is based on the VCON MXM gatekeeper/integrator, with a 100 license implementation which may be extended to additional users if necessary. The gatekeeper keeps track of registered users, allows the administrator to correct problems in endpoint configuration, produces an automatically updated address book to facilitate point-to-point calling, and connects users to our MCU for multi-site meetings.
A Cisco 3540 MCU (Multipoint Control Unit) with a license is currently in
place, allowing up to 100 simultaneous
users. The MCU creates virtual meeting rooms where multiple sites can meet.
The MCU has been enhanced with a Rate Matching Module, which accommodates
users of lower bandwidth connection capabilities without degrading the
quality of the meeting for users with better connections.
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IPNexus
IPNexus is a closed network instant messaging client/server environment which used by the Consortium for informal communication and for application sharing during videoconference meetings and teleconferences. The program can also be used for easy file transfer and for web sharing of data to persons outside of the Consortium Network.
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Endpoint Users
The videoconferencing is based on the H.323 standard, which means that any standards - compliant endpoint can effectively videoconference with Consortium members. The Consortium has standardized on the VCON ViGO desktop videoconferencing device, which is relatively inexpensive (around $600 each) and plugs into any Windows PC through the USB port. The standard kit includes a basic camera/microphone and speaker, which can be enhanced by plugging more sophisticated cameras and microphones into auxiliary jacks on the base unit.
