SIP Video Conferencing Testing/Experiment - Revised 6/20/07
Overview
Among others, the October 30, 2006 Draft Architecture and Roadmap for
Communications Services identified two goals related to video and
conferencing services. First that the Institute should move towards
video conferencing solutions that support the SIP protocol and second
that we should support "on the fly" conferencing services. This
experiment will evaluate several new products to determine how well
they can meet these goals an make recomendations on their deployment
as IS&T services.
Background
In the six months since the draft roadmap was published serveral
things have changed that lead to this experiment. First, as
predicted, video conferencing hardware and software that support the
SIP protocol has become more widely available. The range of devices
now includes free software with video support that can be used with a
desktop or laptop computer up to traditional systems that can provide
video conferencing capabilities to medium to large conference rooms.
Hardware and software clients that had interoperability issues in the
past have now improved to the point that multivendor video
communications can be demonstrated and evaluated. Video CODECs that
support the H.264 protocol and offer improved quality at lower bit
rates are now also being incorporated in these products.
While video device technology using SIP has improved there is also a
new generation of video conferencing servers being brought to market.
An example is the Polycom RMX 2000 which offers a less complicated
interface for user activated, on demand conference sessions and
supports SIP and H.264 standards.
Goals
The experiment will deploy a range of video and audio conferencing
technologies at several IS&T locations. A network based, SIP
conferencing unit will be installed to support the establishment of
voice and video conferencing. Both point-to-point and multipoint
conferences will be trialled and feedback will be solicited from test
users within IS&T. Devices and services will be evaluated for
interoperability with each other and with our SIP infrastructure; ease
of deployment; ease of use; and video and audio quality. The feedback
from users will include which situations the technology was
appropriate and useful and any gaps that would keep it from being
effective.
Deliverables
- Deployment of a range of video conferencing solutions including:
...
- A final report and recommendation based on the above.
- Presentations ?
Timeframe
Project is scheduled to be complete by September 30, 2007.
Resources
- Project management and investigation
...
- Site team for coordinating room installations
- Mac tester (~5 hours)
Budget
Room system for N42
Display $ 2,500
CPU 1,000
Audio and video 250
Installation 750
...