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This chapter describes how to configure the MCU using the Cisco IP/VC Configuration Utility software.
To start the Cisco IP\VC Configuration software, click Start>Programs>CiscoIPVC Tools>Configuration>Cisco IPVC Configuration Utility on the computer on which the configuration utility is installed. The Select Unit dialog box appears.
The Select Unit dialog box, shown in Figure 4-1, allows you to select the unit you want to configure. The configuration software detects all Cisco IP/VC units that are installed on the same IP segment as the configuration computer and lists the IP address and model number assigned to each unit in the Unit IP list box.
To specify a unit to configure, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Enter the IP address of the unit you want to configure in the Unit IP text box.
(a) If the unit's IP address is listed in the list box, click the desired IP address.
(b) If the unit you want to configure is on a different network segment, enter its IP address in the Unit IP text box.
Step 2 Click Next. The Enter Password dialog box appears.
Step 3 Enter the password required to log in to the unit. The MCU configuration is protected by a modifiable configuration password. The default password for all MCUs is cisco.
The password has a maximum of 16 characters and is case-sensitive. We recommend that you change this password and assign a unique password for each MCU during configuration.
Step 4 Click Next. The Configuration Source dialog box appears.
After you specify a unit and enter its password, the Configuration Source dialog box appears (see Figure 4-2). This dialog box provides information about the unit you have selected.
Table 4-1 describes information displayed in the Configuration Source dialog box.
| Parameter | Description |
Unit Type | The model number of the selected unit. |
Hardware Version | The version of the unit's hardware configuration. |
Software Version | Allows you to view the versions of the software. To view the versions, click the button. |
Table 4-2 describes the software version information that appears when you click the Software Version button.
| Software | Description |
Unit Version | The Gateway software version. |
Gatekeeper Version | The version number of the embedded gatekeeper. |
Stack Version | The full version number of the H.323 protocol stack used by the unit. |
MIB Version | The version of the proprietary MIB for SNMP. |
The configuration parameters that appear in the Cisco IP/VC Configuration Utility are taken from a file stored on the local computer. During installation a source file containing the default configurations written to the unit's Flash memory is copied to the utility folder. A listing for this file appears in the Source list box as Plug & Play. The first time the unit is configured, the Plug & Play contents are displayed in the Configuration Utility.
You can modify parameters that appear in the unit, save the changes, and upload a file containing the changes to the unit's Flash memory. Save changes under a unique filename. The new file can be used to reprogram the unit's memory and to program other MCU units. The new file appears as a Source option only on the current computer.
A second default listing appears in the Source list. The listing is called Current. Current loads the last source file saved to the unit from the current computer into the Cisco IP/VC Configuration Utility.
To select a source file to view or modify, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Click on the Source text box to display the list of available source files.
Step 2 Select the source file you want to load. Current is the default selection.
Step 3 Click Unit Setup. The source file loads into the utility and the Accepting Nodes box appears. The box displays the IP address of the unit you selected and shows the progress of the file being loaded. The Unit Identification window appears after the file loads.
The MCU can be configured to function as an MCU, an MCU Distributed, or an MP Dedicated. The type of unit you select depends on whether this is the only MCU on the network or one of several MCU units. Use the second screen in the Configuration Software---Configuration Source---to set the unit type and to define which source file parameters to load. See the "Specifying a Unit to Configure" section earlier in this chapter for a complete description of this process.
After you select the unit type and the source file, proceed to the relevant section in this chapter to continue the unit configuration.
| To configure the Unit as an : | Go to Section |
MCU | |
MCU Distributed | |
MP Dedicated |
From the Configuration Source screen, click Unit Setup. The Unit Identification window appears (see Figure 4-3).
The Unit Identifications window displays basic identification information for the MCU. All parameters except for Location are read-only. The system administrator can use the Location parameter for unit mapping.
Following are the read-only parameters displayed in the Unit Identifications window:
Unit's Name---Displays the unit's logical name.
Location---Type a description of the unit physical location. You can set this parameter. Use this field to map the physical location of the MCU unit on the network.
Contact---Displays the name and/or number of the person to contact for assistance.
Description---Displays a description of the unit.
Date/Time button---Opens a screen that allows you to configure the call time (see Figure 4-4).
Following is a description of the elements in the Date/Time Settings screen:
Local Date/Time (display only)---States current time and date at your site as designated in the computer running the configuration software. Dates appear in US format.
Time Difference---This field allows you to enter a time difference between the configuration location and a remote site. For example, if your local time is 2 hours behind the time at the destination site, you can set the Time Difference to "2."
Remote Date/Time---Displays the current time and date at a remote site, taken from the Time Difference field.
Click OK and then click Next to display the Services Definition Table screen.
The most important aspect of the MCU configuration is the service definition table (see Figure 4-5). The MCU is an H.323 entity that provides conferencing services to endpoints. The type and nature of these conference services are defined in this table.
For more information on defining MCU services, see the "Defining MCU Services and Using the MCU" chapter.
The Services Definition Table displays the services you define for the MCU. When you access the Services Definition Table for the first time, six hard-coded services are displayed. You can modify the data in the Services Definition Table and save the configuration changes to a configuration source file. The hard-coded parameter values can be reloaded through the Plug & Play source file.
The upper part of the screen has two read-only fields:
Number of Entries---This field is a counter that displays the number of services currently defined in the Services Definition Table.
Max Entries---Displays the total number of services you can define per MCU. Currently you can define up to 20 different services.
Each line in the table represents a different type of conference call (a service). Several conferences using the same service can take place at the same time. A unique password should be added to the conference prefix to distinguish between the various conferences
To add a service to the Services Definition Table, click Add. The Service Settings screen is displayed
Each service is identified by the following parameters:
Entry---Entry number in the Service Definition Table.
Description---A description of the service (in free text); this field is limited to a maximum of 31 characters.
Prefix---The prefix that the user needs to dial in order to gain access to this conference type; the prefix can be up to 31 characters. Valid characters are 0 through 9 and `#', `*', `,'. It is important for this prefix to be identical to the prefix that was previously defined in the Service Definition table of the gatekeeper.
Frame Rate---The maximum frame rate suggested for this service. The supported values range from 7.5 frames per second (fps) to 30 fps. This parameter accounts for different terminal types and their limitations.
Video Bit Rate (kbps)---The maximum video bit rate suggested for the conference in kbps. This is not the total bandwidth since the bandwidth needed for the audio data transfer, currently 64Kbps, is not accounted for in this parameter.
Valid values are 0 to 1500 and ~. When you set the video bit rate to ~, the MCU dynamically adjusts the bandwidth according to the terminal with the lowest capability and ensures the other terminals do not exceed this bandwidth. The default upper limit video bit rate suggested for such a service is 320 kbps. When a dynamic rate conference begins, the MCU allocates 320Kbps for this conference, even if terminals that join the conference do not use all the bandwidth. The default upper limit video bit rate for a dynamic service can be changed from the Advanced Commands screen. For more information, see the "Advanced Commands for the MCU" section in this chapter.
To define a service for a voice only conference, set the video bit rate to 0.
Number of Parties---The maximum number of participants allowed for this conference service. Valid values are 2 to 24. This parameter depends on the video bit rate. Table 4-3 shows the maximum number of participants per video bit rate the Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU supports per call.
| Video Bit Rate (K) | Maximum Number of Participants |
0 | 24 |
110 | 15 |
320 | 9 |
720 | 5 |
800 | 4 |
1500 | 3 |
~ | 3-9 |
Once a full capacity conference has started, no other conference is allowed to begin until the current conference is over. This applies, even if not all the participants defined are connected to the conference. The bandwidth is reserved for the participants that have not yet joined the conference.
Picture Format---The format of picture that should be used in this conference type: CIF or QCIF (Quarter CIF).
Click OK on the Service Settings screen to add this service to the Services Definition table.
The Services Definition Table allows you to edit or delete existing services. To edit an existing service, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Select the line in the table representing the service you want to edit, and click Edit. The Service Settings screen is displayed for the service.
Step 2 Make the necessary changes and click OK to confirm.
To delete a service select the line in the table representing the service you want to delete, and click Delete. The selected service is deleted from the Services Definition Table.
When you finish defining services for the MCU, you can either click Next to continue the MCU configuration or click Finish to end the MCU configuration and go directly to Save Setup screen. If you click Next, the Miscellaneous Settings screen is displayed.
The Miscellaneous Settings window allows you to define a gatekeeper and a default router for the MCU and gives you access to the Advanced screen.
Following is a description of the elements in the Miscellaneous Settings screen.
Default Gatekeeper IP---Allows you to define the IP address of the gatekeeper with which the MCU registers. If you are using the embedded gatekeeper, the IP address in this field is identical to the IP address of the MCU unit. If you disable the embedded gatekeeper, you have to define the MCM gatekeeper or third party gatekeeper for the MCU.
Port---Displays the port through which the MCU communicates with the gatekeeper. This is a read-only field; the default port is 1719 according to the H.323 standard.
Default Router IP---Allows you to define the IP address of the default router for the network segment to which the MCU is connected.
Advanced---Displays the Advanced screen. For information on using the advanced commands, see Advanced Commands for the MCU , page Advanced Commands for the MCU .
The LAN Port Settings screen defines the LAN port settings. The MCU has one LAN port. Since the Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU has only one LAN port, the port's IP address is the MCU's IP address also. You can use the LAN Port Settings screen to reset the unit's IP address information and to enter a description.
Following is a description of the elements in the LAN Port Settings screen:
Port Number---Displays the number of the port you are configuring.
Enabled---Allows you to enable or disable to the port.
Port Type---Displays the type of LAN connection.
MAC Addr---Displays the Media Access Control address of this unit.
IP Address---The IP address of this LAN port. If the port has not been set, this field contains zeros. LAN port 1 has the same IP address as the MCU unit.
IP Mask---The IP mask defines the portion of the IP address that is used for sub-network definitions.
Description---A text description of the LAN port settings.
After the LAN Port Settings screen, the LAN Parameters screen appears. The LAN Parameters screen summarizes the LAN port parameter settings. The Status column indicates if the port is enabled or disabled. An asterisk (*) next to the port number indicates that the port parameters were edited using the LAN Port Settings screen.
If you want to modify the LAN port settings, click No to return to the LAN Port Settings screen. If you are satisfied with all the settings, click Yes to proceed. The Save Settings screen appears.
The Save Settings screen allows you to save the parameters you have set to a file and to upload the file the Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU's programmable memory.
The file you create is stored in the Cisco IPVC directory and can be used to restore the configuration to the MCU and to configure other Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCUs. The filename that you use to save the file will appear in the Source list in the Configuration Source dialog box. Selecting the file will cause the file to populate the configuration utility. This section describes how to save the file and how to upload the file to the Video Gateway.
To save and upload the file, perform the following steps:
Step 1 In the Save as text box:
(a) Enter a name you want to use for the new file. If you want to update an existing file, click text box arrow and select the file. The new filename will appear in the Source list box of the Configuration Source dialog box the next time you access the MCU using the current workstation.
(b) Click Yes. The Confirm dialog box appears.
Step 2 If you want the parameters you have set written to the Video Gateways programmable memory, click Yes. The file is uploaded onto the Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU.
Step 3 The Information message box appears when the upload completes. Click Ok. The Confirm dialog box appears.
Step 4 The Confirm dialog box asks if you want to exit the configuration program. Click Yes to exit.
This section explains how to configure the MCU to function in MCU Distributed mode. When configured as an MCU Distributed, the Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU can transfer calls to Cisco IP/VC 3510 MCU units that are configured in MP Dedicated mode. The unit configured in MCU Distributed mode works seamlessly with units configured in
MP Dedicated mode to provide MCU functionality to allow a larger number of calls and conferences to take place simultaneously.
Most of the configuration of an MCU Distributed is identical to that of an MCU. The main difference lies in that you have to define a list of MPs for the MCU Distributed. This is achieved through the MP Definition Table screen. The other difference relates to the Service Definition Table screen. Once you define a list of MPs for the MCU Distributed unit, you can link a service to a particular MP, giving it priority over other MPs when a call request for this service reaches the MCU Distributed.
When the MCU is configured as MCU Distributed, the embedded gatekeeper is not available. You must use another gatekeeper to administer the zone. You can use the embedded gatekeeper on another Cisco IP/VC 3500 unit or a third party H.323 gatekeeper.
To set the unit to function in an MCU Distributed mode, perform the following steps:
Step 1 On the Configuration Source screen, select MCU Distributed on the Unit Type drop-down list (see Figure 4-8).
Step 2 From the Source drop-down list, select the configuration source file. If this is a first time configuration, select Current.
Step 3 Click Unit Setup. The Unit Identification screen appears. For information on the Unit Identification screen, see the "Unit Identification Settings" section earlier in this chapter.
Step 4 On the Unit Identification screen, click Next. The MP Definition Table screen is displayed.
The MP Definition Table (see Figure 4-9) allows you to define MPs for the MCU Distributed.
The upper part of the MP Definition Table screen has two read-only fields:
Number of Entries---This field is a counter that displays the number of MPs currently defined in the MP Definition Table.
Max Entries---Displays the total number of MPs you can define for each MCU Distributed. Currently you can define up to 4 different MPs.
Entry---Entry number in the MP Definition Table. The MCU Distributed forwards calls first to the MP defined as entry number 1 and works down the list of MPs in sequential order. The MCU Distributed automatically forwards the call to the first available MP on the MP list unless you link a service to a particular MP (see "Linking a Service to an MP ").
Description---A description of the MP (in free text); this field is limited to a maximum of 31 characters.
IP Address---The IP address of the MP; for optimal functionality of the MCU Distributed, make sure each MP is on a separate LAN segment.
Status (Enable/Disable)---Allows you to enable or disable the usage of an MP. Select this check box to enable the MP. When disabled, the MCU Distributed does not use this MP to process video and audio channels.
Each line in the table represents an MP the MCU can use to process conference calls. To add an MP entry to the MP Definition Table, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Click Add. The MP Settings screen is displayed.
Step 2 In the IP address text box, enter the IP address of the MP Dedicated unit you want the MCU to use.
Step 3 In the Description text box, enter a description for this entry.
Step 4 Click the Status (Enable/Disable) text box to enable the MCU to use the MP Dedicated unit.
Step 5 Click OK. The entry appears in the MP Definition Table.
The MP Definition Table allows you to edit or delete existing MP entries.
To edit an existing MP entry, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Select the line in the table representing the MP entry you want to edit and click Edit. The MP Settings screen is displayed for the MP.
Step 2 Make the necessary changes.
Step 3 Click OK to confirm.
To delete an MP entry, perform the following steps:
Step 1 Select the MP entry you want to delete.
Step 2 Click Delete. The selected MP entry is deleted from the MP Definition Table.
When you finish defining MPs for the MCU Distributed, you can either select the Next button to continue the MCU Distributed configuration or select Finish to end the MCU Distributed configuration and go directly to Save Setup screen. Click Next to display the Services Definition Table screen.
The Services Definition Table (see Figure 4-10) allows you to define the services the MCU Distributed provides. The MCU Distributed provides all of the service parameters the MCU provides plus MP Link. MP Link allows you to specify the MP Dedicated unit you want the MCU Distributed unit to give priority to handle this service. When the MCU Dedicated receives a call request for a service with an MP Link specification, the MCU Distributed checks with the specified MP Dedicated unit first. If the unit is available, the call is forwarded to it.
This section describes how to link a service to an MP. For instructions on how to set the other call parameters see "Setting Parameters for the MCU Distributed ."
You can link a service to a particular MP from the Service Settings screen. This is beneficial when an MCU Distributed has MPs that are located at remote sites as well as locally. By linking specific services to one of the local MPs, you can direct a local call request to it saving time and network resources.
For example, your MCU Distributed is located in New York and you have defined for it an MP located in New York and another one in Tokyo, Japan. When a call request originating in New York reaches the MCU Distributed, it selects the first available MP on its MP list (according to the order in which the MPs are defined) to process the audio and video channels. This could mean that the MP in Tokyo processes the video and audio streams of this call, which would result in unnecessary use of network resources. By associating call requests originating in New York to the local MP, you ensure the local call is processed locally, provided this MP is free to accept the call request.
To link a service to a particular MP, perform the following steps:
Step 1 On the Services Definition table, click Add or select a service line and click Edit. The Service Settings screen is displayed.
Step 2 From the MP Link drop down list, select the MP to which you want to link this service.
Step 3 Click OK to confirm. The IP of the linked MP appears in the MP Link field of the service entry line in the Services Definition Table.
When you finish defining services for the MCU Distributed, you can either select the Next button to continue the MCU Distributed configuration or click Finish to end the MCU Distributed configuration and go directly to Save Setup screen. Click Next to display the Miscellaneous Settings screen.
The instructions for the rest of the rest of the MCU Distributed configuration are identical to the instructions for the MCU configuration. Sections that discuss defining Miscellaneous Settings through confirming the setup cover the remaining configuration options.
Defining MPs for an MCU Distributed is not in itself sufficient for the MCU Distributed and its MPs to function properly; you also have to configure the MCU units you defined in the MP Definition Table, to function as MP Dedicated units.
This section explains how to configure the MCU to function as an MP Dedicated.
To set the unit to function as an MP Dedicated, perform the following steps:
Step 1 From the Configuration Source screen (see Figure 4-11), select MP Dedicated at the Unit Type drop down list.
Step 2 From the Source drop down list, select the configuration source file. If this is a first time configuration, select Current.
Step 3 A warning prompt appears stating that the built-in gatekeeper is not available for this unit type. Configuration changes will take effect after restarting the unit. Click OK. The Configuration Source window reappears.
Step 4 Click Unit Setup. The Unit Identification screen appears. For information on the Unit Identification screen, see the "Unit Identification Settings" section earlier in this chapter.
Step 5 From the Unit Identification screen, click Next. The Miscellaneous Settings screen is displayed.
The Miscellaneous Settings screen allows you to define a default router for the MP and gives you access to the Advanced screen.
When you configure an MCU unit to function as an MP Dedicated, it does not register with a gatekeeper. The MCU Distributed has a list of the enabled MPs; when a call request for a service provided by the MCU Distributed reaches the gatekeeper, the gatekeeper forwards the call request to the MCU Distributed. The MCU Distributed in turn selects the first available MP on its MP list to process the audio and video channels.
Following is a description of the elements in the Miscellaneous Settings screen for an MP Dedicated:
Default Gatekeeper---Allows you to specify the IP address of the gatekeeper with which you want the MCU to register.
Default Router IP---Allows you to specify the IP address of the default router for the network segment to which the MCU is connected.
Advanced---Displays the Advanced screen. For information on using the advanced commands, see "Advanced Commands for the MCU ."
When you click Next at the Miscellaneous Settings screen, the LAN Port Settings screen is displayed.
The LAN Port Settings screen lets you changes the settings for the MCU's LAN port. See "Defining LAN Port Settings" for more information about this feature.
You can access the Advanced screen by clicking Advanced on the Miscellaneous Parameters screen. This screen allows you to enter text-based commands used for enhanced control of the MCU, regardless of the unit type you have chosen for the unit.
When you type an advanced command in the Command field and click Send, the command is relayed to the MCU. The MCU acts upon this command and sends a response to verify that a valid command was entered. The response is displayed in the Response field. When you type and send an invalid command, the response Unknown Command is displayed.
Advanced command format is a word or word sequence uninterrupted by spaces, followed by an optional colon and a parameter. When you do not enter a parameter, most of the advanced commands display the current setting for the MCU. The advanced commands are not case sensitive. Example 4-1show a sample Advance command entry.
NotifyLevel:10
Where NotifyLevel:10 means set the print debug information level to 10.
This section provides information about the available advanced commands.
Function
Changes debug printing resolutions.
Parameters range
10---default value
50---enhanced level---used to print a large amount of debug information.
Function
Selects fast video-switching mode. This mode is useful when fast and interactive video switching is required. This is the default mode for the MCU.
Parameters range
None
Function
Selects slow video-switching mode. This mode is useful for cases in which background noise causes a high level of false video switching sequences. This mode will decrease the number of false switching events causing the switch to be less sensitive.
Parameters range
None
Function
Displays or sets the frequency of the CPU usage load displays.
Parameters
No parameter---displays the current CPU usage load.
None--- no CPU usage information is displayed.
Rare---rarely displays CPU usage information.
Often---displays CPU usage often.
Differ---displays CPU usage information only if the usage changes by more than 1%.
Function
Displays or sets the video-switching mode for the MCU.
The default mode is CUCME
Parameters range
No Parameter - displays the current video-switching mode.
ALLC1 - all participants see the participant that is talking the loudest, and the participant talking the loudest, sees himself/herself.
CUCME - all participants see the participant that is talking the loudest, and the participant currently talking sees the previous participant that spoke.
Function
Displays the IP address of the gatekeeper the MCU is registered with or registers the MCU with another gatekeeper.
Before you register the MCU with another gatekeeper you must unregister it from its current gatekeeper first.
Parameters range
No parameter---displays the IP address of the gatekeeper to which the MCU is registered.
IP address of a gatekeeper - the MCU registers with this gatekeeper. You do not have to type the whole IP address. When the gatekeeper is on the same network segment as the MCU, the host portion of the IP address is enough.
Function
Unregisters the MCU from the gatekeeper. You can then register the MCU to another gatekeeper.
Parameters range
No parameters
Function
Allows you to change the color scheme of the HTTP based monitoring pages. Currently there are three defined color scheme options. A number from 0 to 2 identifies each color scheme option. The color scheme change only takes effect after you restart the MCU unit.
Parameters
No parameters---displays the number of the current color scheme option.
0-2---changes the color scheme according to the option you specify.
Additional advanced commands may be available for different versions of the MCU.
Posted: Tue Nov 16 15:10:38 PST 1999
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