What is Videoconferencing?
Videoconferencing simulates face-to-face meetings between geographically
diverse sites by utilizing video images and sound. Video displays, cameras,
microphones, and speakers under the control of a device referred to as
a codec are used to accomplish videoconferencing. Many videoconferencing
systems that use ISDN (special circuit switched telephone lines) have
been deployed over the last decade and more recently devices utilizing
the H.323 protocol have become available. The H.323 protocol provides
a means to transmit videoconferences over IP networks such as your local
area network, wide area networks, and the Internet. This "IP Video"
capability offers the benefits of lower cost and increased flexibility.
What
can IP Videoconferencing be used for?
- Sharing teacher resources
- Sharing of advanced placement or special interest classes
- Private music lessons
- Attending administrative meetings
- Substitute teacher observation
- Access to special interactive video content
- Joint study projects with classes at distant schools
What
will the ICN's Video Service offer my institution?
Access to Enterprise class IP video network components deployed by the
ICN means full service without the investment.
A Single Connection for Video and Data:
The ICN's IP Video Service will allow H.323 based videoconferencing
traffic to utilize the same ICN connection used for data today, eliminating
the need and cost of new or existing dedicated video circuits.
Accessibility to and from Thousands of Sites:
Each video system will be assigned a unique 10 digit telephone number
allowing the system to be dialed directly from other ICN connected IP
video systems and providing it with access to and from ISDN based systems
over the Public Switched Telephone Network. The ICN Video Network's
ability to interoperate with the existing Illinois Video Education Network
(IVEN) means access to IVEN's 450 plus video rooms and access to the
State
of Illinois Department of Central Management Services network as
well. The ability of the ICN Video Network to interoperate with other
IP video networks means access to hundreds and perhaps thousands of
sites worldwide. As an example, the ICN is now a member of ViDeNet,
which counts dozens of major educational institutions as members and
uses Internet2 as its means of transport.
Multi-Point Conferencing Capability:
One component in the ICN's network is a Multi-point Control Unit (MCU).
MCUs provide a means to connect three or more sites in a conference.
Pre-configured "Meeting Rooms" will be established and accessible
by ICN users through dial-in video telephone numbers. As a result, sites
will have MCU capability without the expense of purchasing and managing
equipment.
Quality is Assured:
A key factor for successful IP video conferencing is a robust network.
The ICN is just that; and with the implementation of Quality of Service
(QoS) network delay sensitive IP video traffic will receive priority
assuring high quality video calls.
What
components will be deployed to support the ICN video service?
A Gatekeeper - this component provides
call admission control, address translation (i.e. phone number to IP
address) call management and tracking among other functions for IP endpoints.
The ICN will deploy redundant gatekeepers for maximum network availability.
Videoconferencing systems will register with the ICN gatekeeper to gain
access to routing, gateway, and multi-point conference services.
A Gateway - this component provides conversion
to and from IP (H.323) and ISDN (H.320) devices allowing connections
between both types of endpoints.
Multi-point Control Unit (MCU) - the
MCU allows three or more sites to participate in a conference. Support
for various screen layouts is offered to make conferences more effective.
What
will it Cost?
Because existing connections are utilized, new circuits are not required
and existing dedicated video circuits can be disconnected or 'redeployed"
to access additional ICN bandwidth.
The ICN has established cost recovery charges for IP video and related
services:
| Item |
Cost
|
| Charge per registered Video System |
$60 per month
|
| One-time Setup charge for QoS |
No charge
|
| Outgoing Public Network Calls |
Billed per min/per channel at State of Illinois
Rates
Examples:
1 hour call at 384 kbps $21.60 (intrastate)
1 hour call at 384 kbps $68.40 (interstate)
|
| Charge for Gateway registration (1) |
$290 per month
|
Charge for Gatekeeper Neighboring (2)
(With Gateway/MCU utilization)
|
$290 per month
|
Charge for Gatekeeper Neighboring (3)
(With Gateway ONLY utilization)
|
$100 per month
|
| MCU colocation charge |
TBD
|
(1) Gateway registration provides the ability to register
a gateway with the ICN gatekeeper, use of the ICN MCU and gateways. e.g.
IVEN regional hub using a gateway to replace ATM PVC connections.
(2) The Gatekeeper Neighboring charge applies if MCU
and Gateway use are desired. Gatekeeper neighboring to accomplish zone
to zone connectivity is no charge.
(3) This Gatekeeper Neighboring charge applies for Gateway
only use. Gatekeeper neighboring to accomplish zone to zone connectivity
is no charge.
Cost Scenarios:
I have need for 4 staff at remote sites to meet
weekly. How can I avoid the expense of travel and lost productivity?
Since all schools are ICN connected no new transport costs apply. A
table of the costs is below:
| Item |
Cost
|
|
5 PC Based Desktop Video Systems ($600 each) Purchase Price
(Assumes use of existing PC and self-install)
|
$3,000
|
| 5 ICN System Charge ($60 month) |
$3,600
|
| 5 QoS Setup Charge ($50 each) |
No charge
|
| Use of ICN MCU |
No charge
|
| Total Year One Costs |
$6,600*
|
* Annual equipment maintenance fee not included, typically
8% to 10% of list price.
I have an existing H.320 Video System. What can I
do to migrate to IP Video (H.323)? Can I continue to connect with ISDN
(H.320) sites?
Because the ICN will deploy a gateway connecting IP systems to ISDN
systems, you will maintain the ability to connect to ISDN sites whether
IVEN or public network sites. A simple migration plan consists of replacing
the H.320 Codec with an H.323 Codec and reusing all peripherals. The
cost may be reduced by the savings realized by disconnecting the dedicated
video circuit. The costs associated are listed below:
| Item |
Cost
|
| H.323 Codec Purchase Price |
$4,500
|
| Installation |
$800
|
| 1 ICN System Charge ($60 month) |
$720
|
| 1 QoS Setup Charge ($50 each) |
No charge
|
| Use of ICN Gateway |
No charge
|
| Savings due to T1 elimination ($238 month) |
-$2,856
|
| Total Year One Costs |
$3,164*
|
* Annual equipment maintenance fee not included, typically
8% to 10% of list price.
I want to begin receiving a foreign language class
offered by a sister school and avoid the need for teacher travel or
student busing. What options do I have?
Since all schools are ICN connected no new transport costs apply.
The originating site and would be best served by a roll-about system
with document camera.
| Item |
Cost
|
| H.323 Single Monitor System w/document camera
Purchase Price |
$12,000
|
| Installation |
$1,000
|
| 1 ICN System Charge ($60 month) |
$720
|
| 1 QoS Setup Charge ($50 each) |
No charge
|
| Use of ICN Gatekeeper |
No charge
|
| Total Year One Costs |
$13,720*
|
* Annual equipment maintenance fee not included, typically
8% to 10% of list price.
Receiving sites could use the system described above or a low cost
alternative consisting of a PC based desktop system and PC projector
(for small class sizes).
| Total year one cost: |
Without projector |
$1,320 |
| |
With projector |
$4,319 |
How
can I sign up for ICN Video service?
Review the Network Considerations for IP
Video document and then contact you local
RTC.
How
do I choose videoconferencing equipment?
Videoconferencing systems range from Desktop devices consisting of software
and a small camera using your existing PC to hardware based Set-top systems
that sit atop cart mounted TV monitors to Room Systems that support multiple
inputs/outputs and form the core of many custom video room implementations.
Regardless of where you fall in the range of options, you will need the
three basic video conferencing components: a codec, a camera, and a monitor.
Codecs can take the form of software that runs on a PC or an appliance.
Cameras range from small PC top to full featured wall mounts to document
cameras. Monitors range from PC monitors to high quality television monitors
and plasma screens. Because video conferencing needs are unique and manufacturers
offer many system configurations and features, some research is required
to determine what set up is best. Links to manufacturers are listed below
and their specific solutions for videoconferencing should be reviewed
as part of this research. The Video
Cookbook from the Video Development Initiative (ViDe) is also an excellent
resource for information.
Considerations when choosing IP videoconferencing equipment:
- Built-in NAT (Network Address Translation) support
- Built-in MCU capabilities
- PC Based vs. Appliance Based (pros/cons of each - operating systems
supported)
- Dual Video Support
- Encryption support
- Support for collaboration protocol (T.120)
- Support for desired speeds
- Streaming capability
- Support for ISDN (may be desirable as backup to IP)
- Support for 100M Ethernet (vs. 10M only)
- H.264 support (new high quality codec)
- Remote maintenance support
- Capability to store network performance statistics/CDR
It is important to purchase some form of maintenance plan for the equipment
you select. Plans vary from help desk access to full on-site support and
hardware replacement. ICN technical support staff will work to rectify
any network, gatekeeper, gateway and MCU issues, but cannot provide support
for endpoints.
Endpoint manufacturers:
Firewall/NAT information:
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