IP Connectivity on TELESYNERGY TANDBERG codecs Aaron Taye

IP Connectivity on TELESYNERGY® TANDBERG codecs Aaron Taye Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis National Cancer Institute, USA Contractor, Terp. Sys

Introduction: The Goal To put all TANDBERG codecs involved in the TELESYNERGY® project on IP networks, so they are able to communicate over the existing internet infrastructure. Reasons: 1. To reap the full benefits of the TANDBERG Management Suite (centralized administration for greater consistency and reduced onsite technician workload; accurate and reliable database of codec usage) 2. To move towards replacing ISDN videocalls with IP videocalls (to eliminate the costs of maintaining an active ISDN line, and to keep up with technical trends)

TANDBERG Management Suite (TMS) TMS is a centralized database which allows for the remote management of Tandberg codecs. It will be installed on an NCI server, and will need to have the ability to communicate with the Tandberg codecs over IP.

Benefits of TMS Remote control and configuration of settings: • All menus available using the remote control are available remotely Phonebook Updates: • Centralized “Global Directory” • No longer necessary to update individual codecs manually Scheduling and Automated Dialing: • Conferences (including multi-site) scheduled ahead of time are automatically dialed • Recurring conferences can be scheduled Error and Event Notification: • Administrators receive immediate email notification for any number of errors/events

Benefits of TMS Real-time monitoring of codec status: • Allows administrators to see exact configuration and status of codec at all times, including in-call statistics • Screenshots available, including far end while in a call Software Upgrades: • Upgrades can be installed remotely Usage Database: • Detailed records of the activity on all codecs, including calls • Data can be used to generate reports or exported to Excel for further manipulation • This is possibly the most important feature of TMS, since this data will be key in promoting the advantages of TELESYNERGY® as the program undergoes a thorough review

IP Videoconferencing as a replacement for ISDN Videoconferencing • IP Videoconferencing has come a long way, and is starting to take hold in other venues • As ISDN becomes less common, it becomes harder to troubleshoot problems • IP Videoconferencing would use existing IP infrastructure (no cost to us), compared to expensive monthly bills required to maintain and use ISDN lines

IP Videoconferencing as a replacement for ISDN Videoconferencing • We are confident that IP Videoconferencing can work with TELESYNERGY®, but it would require extensive testing first, to ensure quality and compliance with standards • The sooner we reach our goal of IP connectivity, the sooner we can begin testing IP Videoconferencing— and at some future point eliminate ISDN in favor of IP

Summary • TMS allows for centralized administration of TANDBERG codecs, which both reduces the workload and increases consistency across the various sites • IP Videoconferencing presents an opportunity to improve the way TELESYNERGY® works. It is an cheaper, more manageable, and more versatile than ISDN Videoconferencing • I will need your help in getting the Network Engineers of your institutions to cooperate in this effort