High definition video conferencing infrastructure design
High definition video conferencing is rapidly making its way into the workplace, both in the conference room and especially on the desktops of individual users. This is not the same type of video conferencing from a few years ago, it is completely different and better. The new video conferencing systems work simply and reliably, making it just as easy to video call someone inside or outside your organization as it is to make a phone call. What enables this ease of use are advanced network video infrastructure systems that control all video endpoints, manage conferences, and connect over the Internet.
The leader in fully managed, large-scale video conferencing systems is Cisco Systems, for the same reasons that Cisco is the leader in larger unified communications and data networking systems. All systems are designed to work together, be manageable, secure and reliable. One of the main reasons that old-style standard definition video conferencing systems were not widely used is that they were low-resolution, had reliability issues, and were too technical. Cisco has changed all that with the integrated video conferencing infrastructure, which is called Cisco TelePresence. There are four main applications that the Cisco Telepresence system uses to make video conferencing a seamless experience. These applications can be installed in the main data center. For people just getting started with video, many of these same functions can be performed using Cisco’s video hosting service, Cisco Callway, and after HD desktop video is demonstrated, video endpoints they can be connected to the Cisco infrastructure system. The four main elements are:
- Cisco TelePresence VCS Control – Cisco VCS Control
- Cisco TelePresence VCS Expressway – Cisco VCS Expressway
- Cisco Telepresence Management Pack – Cisco TMS
- Cisco TelePresence Codian Multipoint Conference Unit – Cisco Codian MCU
The Video Conferencing System (VCS) Control is the master controller for all internal video endpoints in the organization. When this device is installed, all video devices compatible with Cisco, Tandberg, Polycom and other standards are registered in the VCS Control application. As long as the video terminal uses SIP or H.323, it can register with the VCS control system. When this is done, there are a number of benefits to the user of the video:
- Users can call other users through the home directory using any dialing method they want, including E164, SIP URI, H.323 address, or IP address.
- Allows H.323 and SIP video devices to conference with each other by providing interoperability.
- It connects to Cisco Call Manager through a SIP trunk for video calls between systems.
Expressway Video Conferencing System (VCS) is the application that sits outside the firewall and is responsible for making HD video calls between organizations seamless and seamless. VCS Control and VCS Expressway boxes work together to send and receive video calls and conference with external organizations over the Internet. Like VCS Control, VCS Expressway can receive calls from devices that use the SIP or H.323 standard.
Cisco TelePresence Management Suite (TMS) is the control and management system that brings together all the other elements of the video solution. Allows centralized control of all video endpoints, even non-Cisco video endpoints. Allows users to set up pre-scheduled conference calls. It is also the front end for the Cisco Movi video conferencing client for PC and Mac. Cisco TelePresence Management Suite is an important part of any video conferencing implementation to provide the reliability and control required for a high visibility system. It has many features that make HD video conferencing manageable and easy to use. Some of them are:
- Conference call scheduling on all types of devices with automatic allocation and reservation of conference resources.
- Programming via web server, Exchange or Domino.
- Maintains directories and phone books for ease of use when calling and scheduling.
- Manage devices, including endpoints, gatekeepers, MCUs, and other Cisco and third-party infrastructure.
- Provides conference monitoring, diagnostics, and alarms.
Codian MCU 4500. Cisco has many different Multipoint Conference Units (MCUs) that are used to mix video and audio. The best models to start with are the 4500 and 4501 MCU models, sometimes known as the Codian MCU. Video conferencing bridges are essential for standard definition and high definition conferencing. When placed in the data center and connected to Cisco TMS and VCS control systems, the 4500 Series MCUs provide conferencing capabilities that can be incorporated into any video conference that needs them. There are MCUs of other sizes that also have many of the same features. MCU 4200, MSE 8420 and MSE 8510 offer different price combinations and concurrent conferences.
Some conference terminals have built-in MCUs. These resources can also be used for conferencing, but only when those specific endpoints are also involved in the conference, and as long as there is enough network bandwidth to support the mixing of multiple video streams on that device. Therefore, in most cases, it is better to have a more powerful MCU in the data center where the WAN headend and high-speed Internet connections are located.
The management, control, and conferencing devices and applications that make up the Cisco Enterprise TelePresence Infrastructure system are essential for using HD video conferencing in larger environments. Thanks to their open system design, these components can be placed and integrated with existing standard definition and high definition video systems to make them more manageable and easy to use. To reap the full benefits of HD desktop video conferencing, it is essential to provide a user experience that is simple, reliable and useful.