Top Conferencing Systems VCB VCBPro Getting Started Guide Version 6.
DOC00079 Rev. 6.0 09.
© 2007 Emblaze-VCON Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. No part of this document can be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical - for any purpose without written permission from Emblaze-VCON Ltd. Media Xchange Manager is a registered trademark of Emblaze-VCON Ltd. All other product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or organizations. Limited Warranty Emblaze-VCON Ltd.
Emblaze-VCON Technical Support This Getting Started Guide was designed to help you set up and work with your VCB easily so that you can enjoy its many features. This User’s Guide was designed to help you set up and work with your VCB easily so that you can enjoy its many features. If a situation occurs that is not covered by the supplied documentation, contact your local Emblaze-VCON distributor, and request assistance from their Emblaze-VCONtrained technical support department.
Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Top ...................................................................................................................... i Limited Warranty ................................................................................................ iii Emblaze-VCON Technical Support..................................................................... iv Table of Contents .................................................................. 3 1 Welcome to the VCB..................
7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Inviting from vPoint™/vPoint HD ........................................................... 47 Inviting from HD3000/2000/1000/600................................................. 48 Inviting from HD5000/4000 ................................................................... 49 Inviting from Other H.323 Videoconferencing Applications ................... 50 8 Chair Control During Conferences........................................ 51 9 Upgrading the VCB License Key.......................
1 Welcome to the VCB 1 WELCOME 1.1 TO THE VCB Introduction The VCB, Emblaze-VCON’s premier Multipoint Conferencing Unit (MCU), enables: T Initiation and management of multipoint conferences, including both scheduled and ad-hoc conferences, which are multipoint sessions that were expanded from point-to-point calls. T Wide range of rich, dynamic layouts for the simultaneous viewing of several participants. Up to 25 users may be displayed at the same time.
1 Welcome to the VCB The VCB includes the Conference Moderator, which provides administrators and users with the ability to schedule conferences in advance, also from within MS Outlook, and to manage them remotely. At the appointed time, the Conference Moderator initiates the conference and connects the conference participants. Conference hosts can also control when participants join or exit sessions, and transmit video and data streams to the participants.
1 Welcome to the VCB T Applies H.239 support with HD DualStream™, in which both video and data application-sharing may be transmitted to conference participants (whose end points support dual streams). End points that don’t support dual streams will receive either the data or video stream, depending on the active VCB Service’s configuration. T H.239 streams may be sent in CIF, 4CIF, VGA, SVGA, or XGA.
2 Defining the VCB IP Configuration 2 DEFINING THE VCB IP CONFIGURATION Before you can use the VCB for the first time, you have to define a unique IP configuration for it. This task is made up of the following procedures: T Retrieving the VCB’s initial IP configuration T Changing the IP configuration to unique settings, such as a static IP address Connect to any one of these interfaces. Interface GbE0 has a fixed static IP which cannot be changed.
2 Defining the VCB IP Configuration 3 In the LCD display, press an arrow button until the GET IP command appears. Press the Enter button. 4 Press an arrow button again until the connected network card and interface appears (NIC 1 to NIC 3 = GbE1 to GbE3) and press the Enter button. The VCB unit receives an IP address from the DHCP server. Select NIC: 1 172.20.21.22 If a cable is not connected to the interface, 0.0.0.0 appears in the display. 5 6 Leave the cable connected to the chosen interface.
2 Defining the VCB IP Configuration 2.2 Assigning a Static IP Address to a VCB with DHCP address This procedure describes how to set static IP Address when the VCB is connected to the network and has aquired a DHCP adrress. From a remote computer connected to the network, connect to the VCB Configuration application, EVCAdmin, using web browser. 1 Open web browse and in the address field, enter the EVCAdmin URL: /EVCAdmin. 2 EVC Home page loads. Click on the EVCAdmin section.
2 Defining the VCB IP Configuration 7 Assign static IP by entering IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. DNS Server is optional. The configured NIC has to be different than the one you are currently connected to. 8 Check the Aupdate Configuration Files checkbox for all VCB modules to be be updated with new IP configuration. 9 Click Apply. 10 Connect a network cable to the configured NIC. Check the correct IP Address has been set through the LCD display.
2 Defining the VCB IP Configuration 2.3) Assigning a Static IP Address to the VCB through interface GbE0 This procedure describes how to set static IP Address while connecting to Factory Default GbE0. 1 Connect a crossover cable between interface GbE0 and a computer. This interface’s IP configuration is: IP address 10.0.10.10 Subnet mask 255.255.0.0 Gateway IP address 0.0.0.0 Connect to GbE0.
8 Assign static IP by entering IP Address, Subnet Mask and Default Gateway. DNS Server is optional. 9 Click Apply. 10 Connect a network cable to the configured NIC. Check the correct IP Address has been set through the LCD display.
3 Logging into the VCB 3 LOGGING INTO THE VCB When you start the VCB program, you must first log in. Emblaze-VCON’s Media Xchange Manager® (MXM) provides gatekeeper functions for the VCB. The MXM manages the videoconferencing environment among end points registered in it, including multipoint conferencing managed by the VCB. ³ To log in to the VCB 1 In your web browser, enter the URL of your VCB. The Login page appears. Logging Into the VCB 2 Enter your login name and password.
3 Logging into the VCB 5 Click the VCB tab to enter the VCB Configuration pages. VCB Configuration is divided into Settings, Services, Network and System.
3 Logging into the VCB 6 When you have more than one VCB registered to the MXM running on the server you are currently connected to, these VCB’s are listed in the left pane of the page. clicking on a specific VCB will show its details and will allow you to configure it. 7 Network settings like IP address, Date and Time and also recovery of the VCB server can be done only by connecting directly to this specific VCB server.
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4 Setting Up the VCB 4 SETTING UP THE VCB This chapter provides instructions for setting the VCB configuration in the VCB Configuration program, and describes the properties so that you can set up the most suitable configuration for your installation. 4.1 VCB Settings The Settings tab contains general device configuration. These appear under the MCU Settings and Administrators categories. MCU Settings ³ To display MCU Settings 1 After logging in, click the Settings tab and then MCU Details.
4 Setting Up the VCB To implement the changes, click Apply. 3 I In the MCU Settings tab, the following properties are read-only: 16 Network Address IP address of the VCB. Vendor ID Identity of the manufacturer. Product ID Manufacturer's identity of the product. Version ID Manufacturer's version identification of the product.
4 Setting Up the VCB Build Number Version information for the VCB. Licensed Ports Maximum number of concurrent participants that may be serviced by in this VCB. Last Log On Most recent date that the VCB logged in to the MXM or H.323 gatekeeper. Last Log Out Most recent date that the VCB logged out of the MXM or H.323 gatekeeper. If the Last Log On date is later than the Last Log Out date, the selected node is currently logged into the MXM.
4 Setting Up the VCB Administrators List The Administrator tab lists administrators with permission to work with the VCB. ³ To display the list of Administrators T In the upper bar , click Administrators tab. List of Administrators ³ 18 To Add New Administrator 1 Click on the Add button at the bottom of the page. 2 A new administrator is created with a default name and a default password of 1234. 3 Select the new administrator and change its name. Click Apply.
4 Setting Up the VCB ³ To change an Administrator password 1 In the left pane, click the Name of the Administrator you want to change password to. Click on the Security tab. Changing Administrator Password 2 In the Security tab, do the following: To keep the same password, leave the Password boxes blank. New Password Type a new password for the administrator. Confirm the Password 3 Type the new password again. Click Apply.
4 Setting Up the VCB 4.2 VCB Services Configuration VCB Services define the usage of resources used during a multipoint videoconference managed by the VCB. After the VCB's installation, you can add or edit service entries. One directory number (E.164) is created for each service type. To handle situations in which additional participants require additional resources, set up several VCB Services with incremental increases in bandwidth, number of ports, or multicast capabilities.
4 Setting Up the VCB ³ To delete a VCB Service 1 Click the checkbox to the left of the VCB Service entry. 2 Click Delete. 3 Click OK to confirm. The following subsections describe the VCB Service properties. General In the General page, enter identity information of the VCB Service.
4 Setting Up the VCB In the General tab, the following properties appear: Number Number to be dialed for using this service. Description Name of the service. This name identifies the service in the VCB Services List. Max Number of Participants The maximum number of concurrent calls allowed in this session, according to your VCB’s license terms.
4 Setting Up the VCB Audio Codec Select the Audio codec for the multicast streaming session. Video Codec Select the Video codec for the multicast streaming session. Video Size Select the resolution in which the multicast video will be transmitted. Broadcast to Address The destination IP address for the multicast session. All participants in the session transmit and receive from this common IP address. This address must be a class D address in the range of 224.0.0.0 to 239.255.255.255.
4 Setting Up the VCB Layouts In the Layouts tab, define the layout for displaying multiple users on the screen at the same time. VCB Service - Layouts Choose the type and if necessary, scheme for the layout: Display one user at a time. Display up to four users at a time. Display changes automatically depending on the number of users in the conference. 1->2->3->2*2->3*3->4*4 1 = 1 user 2 = 2 users 3 = 3 users 2*2 = 4 users in 2 rows 3*3 = 5-9 users in 3 rows 4*4 = 10-16 users in 4 rows.
4 Setting Up the VCB 1->1+5->1+7 1=1 user 1+5=2-6 users 1+7=7-8 users. Display users in the same layout scheme regardless of the number of the users in the call. In the Schema list, choose the layout.
4 Setting Up the VCB Media The Media tab contains the settings for audio formats, video formats and dual-video streaming. VCB Service - Media Audio In the Audio list, select the codecs that are available for conferences using this specific VCB Service. Participants can use any Audio codec. Checking all or specific audio codecs will make VCB to mix (transcode) these codecs. Video Video Codecs 26 The video codecs (H.261, H.263, H.264) used in the conference.
4 Setting Up the VCB Max Resolution The size of the transmitted video images in outgoing Out direction: Keep Aspect Ratio • 720p (VCBPro Only) - is a short name for a category of High Definition video modes. The number 720 stands for 720 lines of vertical display resolution, while the letter p stands for progressive scan or noninterlaced. • • 4CIF - uses 704 x 576 pixels resolution. CIF - (Common Interchange Format), or normal size. CIF uses 352 X 288 pixels resolution.
4 Setting Up the VCB Send second video channel to legacy devices If a receiving end point does not support dual streams, it receives only the stream carrying the shared data application. However, the data appears in video format. When If data sharing takes place during a multicast conference, streaming send the multicast session’s Participants receive the data second video stream only.
4 Setting Up the VCB QoS The QoS tab contains properties for controlling the type of Quality of Service that will be used for transmitting packets during a multipoint conference that’s initiated using this VCB Service. VCB Service - QoS Priority Type (QoS) Select the type of QoS used for transmitting packets during heavy network congestion conditions. No Priority Network transfers packets using normal Best-effort (or Routine) packet transmission.
Priority Values Video, Audio and RTCP Priority For each packet type, select an appropriate priority level. The item with the highest priority number will be sent first, the item with the next highest number will be sent second, and so on. The priority levels vary, depending on whether the selected Priority Type is IP Precedence or Diffserv. Defaults Click to restore the default QoS configuration.
4 Setting Up the VCB Encryption Method Choose the mode of encryption for conferences using this service. T Choose None to allow unsecured calls. T Auto enables the transmitting end point to encrypt a call if the remote sides have also enabled encryption. If they have not enabled encryption, an outgoing call will be unsecured. T AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is a common encoding method for encrypting data transmissions. Select this option to encrypt all calls using this VCB Service.
4 Setting Up the VCB 4.3 VCB System Upgrade & Restore VCB Sytem tab define system upgrade process and Backup & Restore of the VCB server. Upgrading VCB upgrading VCB 1. Save the upgrade package (upgrade.exe) you received from Emblaze-VCON to the local hard drive or network resource. 2. Click on the System tab and open the Upgrade page. 3. Click the Browse button and browse to the upgrade package location. 4. Click the Apply button. 5. At the end of the upgrade process, VCB will restart.
4 Setting Up the VCB VCB Restart / Shutdown VCB Restart / Shutdown Restart Restart VCB server. The EVCAdmin application will be unavailable and you will have to login again. Shutdown Shutdown VCB server. Turn it on again from the power button on the front panel.
4 Setting Up the VCB VCB Backup/Restore VCB supports a system backup and restore functionality to help recover immediately the system in cases of disaster. The Backup and Restore functionality saves the baseline (Factory Default) configuration, creates a new snapshot of VCB configuration once a week for 10 weeks and allows you to manually create snapshots according to configuartion changes.
4 Setting Up the VCB System Restore Choose the Restore option and click the Apply button: System restore Options Restore To Baseline Restore system configuration to factory default snapshot (baseline) or a newly created baseline. Baseline is the basic snapshot that the system can be restored to at any time. Restore To Last Restore system configuration to the latest snapshot Snapshot created by the system. VCB creates a new snapshot once a week.
4 Setting Up the VCB Take Snapshot After configuration changes of the VCB like changing network settings, adding or deleting services, registering new users to gatekeeper and as a periodic backup task, it is recommended to take a snapshot of VCB configuration. Take snapshot 1. Enter name of snapshot. This name will be listed later in the Snapshot From List box for restore. 2. Enter a snapshot description. The description will describe configuration state of the VCB. 3.
4 Setting Up the VCB 4.4 VCB registration to Remote MXM You can register and manage multiple VCB’s to one central. Register to MXM For registering VCB to remote MXM: 1. Open the VCB EVCAdmin application by typing the VCB’s IP Address in an Internet browser address bar. 2. Login using the Administrator’s user name and password. 3. Click on the System tab and than on MXM. 4. Enter the IP address of the MXM you wish to connect to.
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5 Setting Up a Dedicated VCB Service 5 SETTING UP SERVICE A DEDICATED VCB The tasks described in this chapter are procedures which you perform in Emblaze-VCON’s Media Xchange Manager® (MXM) Administrator application. 5.1 Dedicated Service for End Points A dedicated VCB service is set up only for expansion to an ad-hoc conference that includes a specific end point. That is, the service is “dedicated” to that end point.
5 Setting Up a Dedicated VCB Service 3 4 40 Double-click the end point, click MXM, and then click the MCU Services tab. In the Dedicated MCU Service list, select the service. Click OK.
5 Setting Up a Dedicated VCB Service 5.2 Dedicated Service for a Zone A dedicated ad-hoc service for a neighboring zone may be used only if any of that zone's end points are in the resulting ad-hoc conference (either one of the original two end points of the conference or the invited end point). ³ To dedicate a service to a specific end point 1 In the MXM Administrator, double-click the VCB Service and then click the Session tab.
6 Adding the VCB to an Ad-hoc Permission Group 6 ADDING THE VCB TO PERMISSION GROUP AN AD-HOC The tasks described in this chapter are procedures which you perform in Emblaze-VCON’s Media Xchange Manager® (MXM) Administrator application. An Ad-hoc Permission group is a set of VCB services that are defined for use in adhoc conferences. It helps you control the use of resources for expanding to ad-hoc conferences. An Ad-hoc Permission group may consist of one service or multiple services.
6 Adding the VCB to an Ad-hoc Permission Group 6.1 Ad-hoc Permission Group Properties In the Ad-hoc Permission Group dialog box, you can view and change the following configuration information: • • General Permission Group General In the Description box, type a name for the Ad-hoc Permission Group. This name will appear on the system tree and in the VCB’s Properties dialog boxes' Product Info tab.
6 Adding the VCB to an Ad-hoc Permission Group Permission Group The Permission Group Properties page includes all registered services that are defined for use as an ad-hoc resource, which is a service which is set up to connect ad-hoc conferences. Select any number of VCB services from the list to be in the Ad-hoc Permission Group. The group may also include combinations of services from more than one registered VCB unit. — — To place all services in the permission group, click Select All.
6 Adding the VCB to an Ad-hoc Permission Group Setting the Usage Order The services' locations in the list determines the order in which the MXM tries to use them. After an end point invites another end point, the MXM first tries to use the first service defined in the permission group. If the first service is not available, it tries to use the second defined service, and so on. If all enabled services are unavailable, the MXM does not complete the "invitation" to the additional end point.
7 Ad-Hoc Conferencing 7 AD-HOC CONFERENCING To “invite and join” additional parties into an ad-hoc videoconference, users must initiate the Invite function from their videoconferencing application during an open session. This chapter instructs how to invite from the following Emblaze-VCON applications: • • • • • xPoint vPoint HD HD5000/4000 HD3000/2000/1000/600 Other H.323 videoconferencing applications 7.
7 Ad-Hoc Conferencing The session is now a multipoint conference. The parties’ video is displayed in Continuous Presence (multiple users’ video on screen at all times) or Voice-Activated Switching (speaker’s video only on screen), in accordance with the MCU/VCB Service configuration. 7.2 48 Inviting from HD3000/2000/1000/600 1 Press any of the number keys on the remote control. The Manual Dial dialog box and SoftKey menu open. 2 Press the red MXM CALL CONTROL Softkey.
7 Ad-Hoc Conferencing Press the green Softkey to transfer the videoconference to the entered address Enter the address of the additional party for transferring the conference 5 The HD device dials the number. After several seconds, the additional party is added to the session, which is now a multipoint conference with VCB management. The parties’ video is displayed in Voice-Activated Switching. 7.
7 Ad-Hoc Conferencing 7.4 Inviting from Other H.323 Videoconferencing Applications In VCON’s MediaConnect 6000 and other H.323 videoconferencing applications, you must enter a code in order to invite other users to an ad-hoc videoconference. If you do not know the code, ask the system administrator. ³ To invite and join other parties into an ad-hoc videoconference 1 During an ongoing point-to-point videoconference, open your application’s Dialing utility.
8 Chair Control During Conferences 8 CHAIR CONTROL DURING CONFERENCES As an option, organizations employing the VCB may utilize Emblaze-VCON’s Moderator (EVCModerator), which allows users to schedule conferences in advance and control their progression, including Chair Control. Chair Control is the ability of one videoconferencing user to control what the other participants in a multipoint conference see and hear.
8 Chair Control During Conferences ³ To control the Chair Move to In Progress tab while call is connected. 1 On the right side of the screen, click Chair Control. Click either the Chair Control button or the hotspot. Opening the Chair Control 2 Set Chair Control parameters for the session Used By Choose the participants who will view the conference according to the parameters you set now. In this version, the only available option is All participants. Control Choose the level of chair control.
8 Chair Control During Conferences Layout Select a layout scheme. You may change this during a session. VoiceActivated Switching Continuous Presence Automatic Layout Transitions Predefined Layouts The available viewing methods are: T Voice-Activated Switching - The participants see the video of the participant whose audio signal is strongest. For example, the non-speaking participants see the person speaking.
8 Chair Control During Conferences Dominant Speaker Showing the most recent speaker in the conference. In a Continuous Presence layout, the “dominant speaker” appears in one of the frames. Fixed Showing specific views throughout the conference’s duration, selected by the conference’s initiator. From the Participant list box, choose the name of the user whose video will be seen. Timer Showing a cycle of views at rotating, timed intervals.
8 Chair Control During Conferences In Automatic Layout mode, click the arrow buttons to select a layaut and then click Apply. In Predefined Layout Transition mode, click the arrow buttons to select a layaut and then click Apply. 4 Click Apply.
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9 Upgrading the VCB License Key 9 UPGRADING THE VCB LICENSE KEY Replacing your VCB license key is required if you need to change the number of permitted concurrent participants. In the Web Management program, the Upgrade page contains your VCB’s license key, number of licensed ports, and the expiration date. When you order an upgrade, please supply this information to your Emblaze-VCON representative according to the instructions below.
10 SSH Commands 10 SSH COMMANDS This chapter defines the commands available when you access the VCB unit through a Secure Shell (SSH), Hyperterminal, or similar application connected to the Console port. A Secure Shell application, PuTTY, is included on the CD-ROM supplied in your VCB package. ³ To run the PuTTY program 1 Insert the VCB compact disc to your computer’s CD drive. 2 Browse to the Utilities folder’s putty.exe program. 3 Copy the putty.exe file to your desktop or another location.
10 SSH Commands Command changeservicestartmode Syntax changeservicestartmode Description Change the specified service’s starting mode. Parameters T Automatic T Manual T Disabled For example: TermService, a service allowing remote desktop connection, is disabled by default. To enable it, set the service start mode to Manual, and then start the service using the “startservice” command.
10 SSH Commands Command getparam Syntax getparam Description Retrieve the specified parameter. Parameters T appver - Display the VCB/MXM application version. T dhcp <0-3> - Display DHCP-defined IP configuration of the specified NIC, and if it’s enabled or disabled. T hwserial - The first NIC’s MAC address. T machinename - The name of the node. T sshver - Display the SSH Server version. T time - Display the current system date and time.
10 SSH Commands Command healthcheck Syntax Description Displays system information about the VCB’s host computer, such as CPU usage, virtual memory usage. Command help Syntax Description Lists all SSH commands and their possible syntaxes. Command killprocess Syntax killprocess Description Aborts the specified process. Command listip Syntax listip <0-3> Description Displays the IP address of the specified NIC.
10 SSH Commands Command services Syntax services Description Lists the services that start with the substring and displays their status. services VCON will list only VCON services. For example, • VCON VCB AGENT_1 Command setgkaddress Syntax setgkaddress Description Define an IP address to the associated MXM. Command setmcuaddress Syntax setmcuaddress Description Define an IP address to this VCB.
10 SSH Commands Command setvcbadminparam Syntax setvcbadminparam . Description Define the specified VCB Admin parameter. Parameters Name and password of the administrator. Command setvcbridgeparam Syntax setvcbridgeparam Description Define the specified VCB parameter. Command setvcbsessionparam Syntax setvcbsessionparam . Description Define the specified VCB Session parameter.
