videoconference with conferencexp on rcts “estúdios” the next step tnc2006, may16 catania,...

Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios” Videoconference with conferenceXP on RCTS “Estúdios”

The Next StepThe Next Step

TNC2006, May16 Catania, Italy

Nuno GonçalvesFCCN - Portugal

Foundation for National Scientific Computing

nuno@fccn.pt

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Summary

• Overview;• “Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell;• Technological Platform;• Case Studies; • Cost Analysis;• Advantages/Disadvantages;• Short-Term Conclusions;• Future Developments;

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Overview

• Setup a multicast/unicast/IPv6 videoconference network, in order to provide collaboration activities with ConferenceXP;

• Provide a central venue service;

• Provide a central reflector to support unicast bridging to the multicast world;

• Alternative to H.323 videoconference technology;

http://www.conferencexp.net

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 1/3

Multipurpose rooms with custom specifications;

Installed in 6 Portuguese Educational Institutions;

To be used by all Institutions and users connected to the Portuguese NREN;

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 2/3

“Estúdios” Features:• Videoconference Meetings;• Collaboration Activities;• Audio/Video content producing;• Reception of high bandwidth content;• Streaming Activities;• Experimentation on videoconference and streaming

technologies; • Premium IP network with multicast and IPv6;• With support staff on site;• Web Scheduling System;

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“Estúdios” Network in a Nutshell 3/3

“Estúdios” Locations

• IPB – Bragança

• IRIC UP – Porto

• UA – Aveiro

• UTL – Lisboa

• UE – Évora

• UALG - Faro

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Technological Platform 1/6

Main Hardware Used“Estúdios” CXP clients:• PIV, 2 Gb RAM;

– Gigabit Ethernet Board;– 2 PCI video cards ;

• ClearOne for Echo Cancellation• Digital 360º Microphones;• 5.1 Amplifier;• 5.1 Speakers;• 2 PTZ cameras;• 2 DLP projectors;• Smart board

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Technological Platform 2/6

Software Used

CXP Clients:• Windows Xp Professional ;• Conference Xp Client V3.2

(currently CXP is V3.5);• .NET Framework AND its SP1;

Central Venue Server:• W2K3 Server with OS updates;• IIS 6.0 for venues announcements;• CXP Venue Server;• Reflector Service to support unicast bridging;

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Technological Platform 3/6

Network:• All “estúdios” are multicast and IPv6 enabled

with QoS; • All CXP clients have gigabit Ethernet;

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Technological Platform 4/6• Multicast tests with Vic / Vat, VLC and QuickTime:

– Tests were made with vic and vat in order to operate CXP’s multicast with other applications;

– The use of WMV codec was a required feature in order to view the multicaststream;

– VLC (www.videolan.org) was used to play the stream. It was unsuccessful without WMV codec;

– .sdp files were usedto test with QuickTimeplayer;

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Technological Platform 5/6

• Unicast to Multicast:– The use of a central reflector service permits to a

unicast only network to receive multicast transmissions;

Reflector Service

Unicast / Multicast

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Technological Platform 6/6

• Other Similar Platforms:– VRVS;

FCCN is a VRVS partner.FCCN provides a central reflector to the RCTS community;

– Access Grid (AGTk);

– Macromedia Breeze (Licensed);

http://www.macromedia.com/software/breeze/

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Case Studies 1/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 2 Terminal end points with 4 video streams;

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Case Studies 2/5• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (640x480)

– 2 Terminal end points full screen;– Video stream with strong movement;

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Case Studies 3/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240) – 3 Multicast terminal end points (MCU Like);– 1 Unicast terminal end point through reflector;

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Case Studies 4/5

• 1,5 Mbps Multicast Streams (320x240)– 3 terminal end points sharing applications using a

smart board collaboration environment;

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Case Studies 5/5

• PSTN integration through echo canceller successfully tested;

Costs AnalysisMinimum Hardware Requisites Costs Analysis:• Traditional H.323 Videoconference:

– H.323 hardware codec with microphone;

– PTZ cameras;

– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);

Cost ≈ 12500€

• Videoconference with ConferenceXp:– Personal computer;– Microphone and an Echo canceller;– PTZ cameras;– Projection area (Plasma with speakers);

Room Setup Cost ≈ 8500€

Personal Setup Cost ≈ 3500€

Advantages/Disadvantages

ConferenceXp• Advantages

– Low cost;– Creating a personal videoconference node;– Also supports multipoint and collaboration;– Uses Multicast, with Unicast integration;

• Disadvantages– Still in a development stage;– OS dependent and inherent to its risks;– Not stable as a H.323 codec;– Only works with other ConferenceXp Clients;

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Short-Term Conclusions

• General room preset in order to provide a fast environment setup;

• Gather user feedback in to make setup improvements;

• To Complete Documentation and How-To;

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Future Developments

• Implement a central session archive;

• Integrate and centralize the venue server, reflector and archive service;

• More marketing;

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WG-Multimedia Team

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Nuno Gonçalvesnuno@fccn.pt

FCCNhttp://www.fccn.pt

SIP:nuno@fccn.ptGDS: 00351400102239

Portugal