Glossary
A
B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y
Bandwidth
For a computer network, bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can
be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually
a
second).
Certified Endpoint
A site that has conducted
a successful connectivity test with the ITS MCU. Once a site is certified
it may participate in a conference with the ITS MCU. However, for future
conferences this site will need to be certified again as it will not
be a registered site with the ITS MCU.
CODEC
The term codec refers to an acronym that stands for "compression/decompression." A
codec is an algorithm, or specialized computer program, that reduces
the number of bytes consumed by large files and programs.
Compression
The reduction in size of data in order to save space or transmission
time.
Top Conference
ID
A unique number assigned by the video conference scheduling system
that identifies a scheduled video conference with the ITS MCU Service.
The Conference ID is required
in
order
to connect or “dial-in” to the MCU Service. The Conference ID number
is also required when trouble-shooting problems with a video conference.
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Conference Presentation
The display/layout of your conference on the TV screen. There
are two options to choose from, Voice Activated Switching and Continuous
Presence. The Continuous Presence option also has two choices for
set-up to choose from.
- Voice Activated Switching - Typically
used for presentations, voice activated switching switches full
screen video depending on which site is actively speaking. Also,
if any site has a mic picking up noise or sound it will be switched
to, i.e. rustling papers, pen taping, side conversations, etc.
- Continuous Presence
- The
transmission of two or more simultaneous images. Ability to see
all sites involved in a videoconference at the same time in a matrix
form on the video monitor (ala "Hollywood Squares").
However, it is limited to just seven sites at one time, no more
than that.
Diagrams
of Possible Continuous Presence Set-ups
(placement of sites in squares dependent on the order sites dialed in to the
conference)
4 or 5 Site Set-up
|
|
6 or 7 Site Set-up
|
 |
|
 |
| *The 5th site
will be a voice acitvated switch in this box. |
|
*This box will
also switch between the currently speaking site located in the
smaller screens |
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Presence
The transmission of two or more simultaneous images. Ability to see all sites
involved in a videoconference at the same time in a matrix form on the video
monitor (ala "Hollywood Squares"). However, it is limited to just
seven sites at one time, no more than that.
Diagrams of Possible
Continuous Presence Set-ups
(placement of sites in squares dependent on the order sites dialed
in to the conference)
4 or 5 Site Set-up |
|
6 or 7 Site Set-up |
|
|
|
| *The 5th site
will be a voice
acitvated switch in this box. |
|
*This box will
also switch between the currently speaking site located in the
smaller screens |
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Decompression
The act of expanding a compression file back into its original form.
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Dial-up
Use of public telephone line to connect with a videoconference either with
our without operator assistance.
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Dialing Plan
Allows for a standardized format in assigning an identity to an end-user.
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Digital Transmission
The transmission of information in the form of "1s" and "0s." This
information is suctomarily related to computer data taffic, but can also process
audio and video.
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Dedicated
Network
A network connection isolated from any other traffic, i.e. other
computers or servers on same hub/switch/network.
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E.164 Number
The identification
number assigned by UH for your videoconference unit. These numbers are
only assigned to endpoints that are part of the UH system.
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Ethernet (shared
or switched)
An ethernet is a type of local area network (LAN). On a shared ethernet
each packet runs along the same path competiting for access, whereas
a switched ethernet is attached to a switch that directs each packet
towards
the correct
destination. The switched ethernet is usually a faster connection as
opposed to a shared ethernet.
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Endpoint
Endpoint is a term we will use to refer to the video conference appliance, e.g.,
Polycom unit, along with its related audio-visual equipment.
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Firewall
A device that provides security for your network by only allowing authorized
traffic to pass through. A firewall's
primary purpose is to limit access, which can present a problem for those
who want to do videoconferences. Firewalls are not part of the
H.323 standard. H.323 uses dynamically allocated ports and is not very firewall-friendly.
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Gateway
A network element (node) that performs conversions between different coding
and transmission formats. The gateway does this by having many types of
commonly used transmission equipment to provide a means for interconnection.
For instance, the gateway could link the H.320 site with an H.323 session.
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Gatekeeper
A gatekeeper is a utility that controls H.323 videoconference access on a packet-switched
network. It requires that multimedia terminals register "at the gate",
which is accomplished when the terminal provides its address. The gatekeeper
translates network addresses and aliases to make connections. It can also
deny access or limit the number of simultaneous connections to prevent
congestion.
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GDS Number
ViDeNet developed
the Global Dialing Scheme (GDS). It is a numbering plan for the
global video and voice over IP network that resembles the international
telephone system. GDS provides easy, uniform dialling throughout
the world.
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H.320
A widely used video compression standard that allows a variety of videoconferencing
systems to the community utilizing ISDN telephone lines. Due to the utilization
of ISDN telephone lines charges can be incurred with this type of videoconferencing.
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H.323
A standard providing a foundation for audio, video, and data communication
across IP-based networks, including the Internet. The standard is broad
in scope and includes both stand-alone devices and embedded personal computer
technology as well as point-to-point and multi-point conferences.
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Hardware
The term hardware
describes the physical aspects of computers and related devices.
Initiation
Start Time
The Initiation Start Time is the time at which the MCU Service will initiate
the video conference session and begin to allow Endpoints to connect or “dial-in” to
the MCU Service. This is NOT the start time of the actual video conference. The
Initiation Start Time will be set fifteen (15) minutes in ADVANCE of the planned
video conference start time to allow Endpoint Technical Contacts to prepare their
rooms and equipment, connect to the MCU Service, and verify that the video conference
is operating properly PRIOR to the video conference start time.
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Internet2
An infastructure being set up by more than 100 U.S. universities collaborating
to create a better means for education and research. For more information
on Internet2 please click here.
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Interoperability
A state of compatibility between videoconferencing units that may support differing
levels of compatibility.
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IP (Internet Protocol)
The most popular network protocol in corporate and public networks. May be
used by H.323 endpoints for audio, video, and data packet transfer.
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IP
Address
An address that uniquely identifies each host on a network or Internet. An
IP address has a length of 32 bits, and divided into four 8-bit parts, each
separated by a period, as in 149.122.3.30. This kind of notation is called
dotted decimal
notation. Each part can consist of a number between 1 and 255.
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ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network)
An international standard for end-to-end digital transmission of voice, data,
and signaling. In a videoconference, a system provides simultaneous voice,
video, and text transmission between individual desktop videoconference systems
and group videoconferencing system.
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Local Area Network (LAN)
A local area network (LAN) is a group of computers and associated
devices that share a common communications line or wireless link. Usually
a single processor or server is shared within a small geographic
area (for example, within an office building). Generally, the server
has applications and data storage that are shared in common by multiple
computer
users.
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Multi-site
(or Multi-point)
Videoconference that includes more than two sites. The sites must connect via
a MCU.
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MCU
Multi-point Control Unit or MCU is a device that bridges together multiple inputs
so that three parties or more can participate in a videoconference. An MCU may
also be equipped with a gateway that supports conversion or trans-coding between
different video conference protocols, e.g., H.323 and H.320.
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Point-to-Point
Videoconference between two locations.
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Polycom
A company that creates videoconferencing appliances.
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Registered Endpoint
A site that has conducted a successful connectivity test with the ITS MCU, has
been added into the database and has been given a unique E.164 number. Once
a site has been registered it will be able to participate in ITS MCU conferences,
regardless if it is used regularly or not.
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Requestor
The UH faculty or staff person requesting a video conference setup and MCU Service.
This person is responsible for contacting each Endpoint Technical Contact
and Schedule Coordinator to reserve the conference room and all of the necessary
equipment prior to scheduling the MCU Service with ITS. The Requestor must
coordinate any changes to the scheduled video conference, including re-verification
that all Endpoints and conference rooms are available, that the Technical
Contacts and Schedule Coordinators are aware of the changes, AND, coordinate
the changes with ITS to ensure that the MCU Service is correctly setup to
support the video conference.
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Schedule
Coordinator
The person responsible
for the scheduling of the Endpoint and associated facility, e.g., conference
room.
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Software
Software is a general term for the various kinds of programs used to operate
computers and related devices.
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Technical
Contact
The person responsible for the proper maintenance, upkeep and operation of the
Endpoint, including ensuring that the Endpoint devices are correctly configured
and connected to the UH network to support appropriate use of the Endpoint and
its participation in video conferences. Technical Contacts are responsible to
ensure that the Endpoint devices are operating properly prior to the start of
the actual video conference, i.e. at the initiation start time.
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UHNET
The University of Hawaii System's wide area IP network linking its 10 campuses
and 5 education centers.
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Videoconference
Communication across long distances with video and audio contact that may also
include graphics and data exchange.
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Voice
Activated Switching
Typically used for
presentations, voice activated switching switches full screen video depending
on which site is actively speaking. Also, if any site has a mic picking
up noise or sound it will be switched to, i.e. rustling papers, pen taping,
side conversations, etc.
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