Upcoming Events

Cloud Connect
Santa Clara
Feb 13-16, 2012

Cloud Connect brings together the entire cloud eco-system to better understand the transformation we're experiencing and promises to be the defining event of the cloud computing industry. Learn about the latest cloud technologies and platforms from thought leaders in Cloud Connect’s comprehensive conference.

Register Now!

W O R K S H O P

Videoconferencing: Making Your Bandwidth Count

October 21, 2002
By Mike DeMaria

>> continued from previous page

I CU 2

	Issue TOC
	Print full article
	Print this page
	Download as PDF
	E-Mail this URL
	Flame the author

	In this article
	Introduction
	You Configure It Out
	I CU 2
	Step By Step

Now that you have your videoconference network set up, the next challenge is getting users on it. You need to set policies on who can join the videoconference and how they can do so. Do you need to create videoconference-specific user name/passwords or can the conferencing software integrate with existing authentication systems? Can people join the videoconferencing network at any time or only during specified time slots?

A big challenge is figuring out a dialing plan for users to find other users. Luckily, there are management solutions to handle these issues. CUSeeMe used a "reflector" server where people would gather, similar to Internet Relay Chat rooms. VCON's Media Exchange Manager (MXM), which is billed as an IP video PBX, combines policy management, user QoS, directory integration and dial plans.

Of course, appearance is important, too. Even with a perfect transmission, there is no guarantee your video will actually look good. Shoddy cameras, microphones and speakers can all be contributing factors to a bad videoconference. Some users will yell into the microphone, while will others speak too softly. Proper lighting is another major factor (for recommendations on lighting and background setup, see "Step by Step").

Videoconferencing over the Internet has indeed come a long way. But there's no guarantee of bandwidth, reduced latency or a firewall between clients. A smooth and successful videoconference requires proper planning and testing beforehand, and if your organization is serious about videoconferencing and plans to do it regularly, consider getting dedicated links. That way everyone, on and off camera, looks good.

Michael J. DeMaria is an associate technology editor based at Network Computing's Syracuse University Real-World Labs®. Write to him at mdemaria@nwc.com.