Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Service manual

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Administrator’s Guide for
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
Release 5.3
Text Part Number: OL-6280-01

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Administrator’s Guide for Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3
Copyright © 2004-2006 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1Introducing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3 1-1
Audience 1-1
Scope 1-1
Naming Conventions Used in This Guide 1-2
Overview of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 1-2
Features and Benefits of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 1-3
Additional References 1-4
CHAPTER 2Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Components and Process 2-1
Overview of Components 2-1
Supported Cisco MeetingPlace System Configurations 2-4
About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process 2-4
How Video Conferences Are Scheduled 2-5
How Video Conferences Start 2-6
How Video Conferences Run 2-8
About Displaying the Status and Options of Video Participants in the Meeting Room 2-8
How Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Tracks Port Availability 2-8
How Video Conferences End 2-9
CHAPTER 3Installing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 3-1
Before You Install 3-1
Making Sure Component Systems Are Up and Running 3-1
Verifying your Video-Conferencing License 3-2
About Configuring the Cisco IPVC MCU to Use Cisco MeetingPlace 3-2
Configuring the Cisco MeetingPlace Audio Server 3-11
Configuring Cisco MeetingPlace H.323/SIP IP Gateway 3-12
Configuring Load-Balancing Configurations for Video Conferencing 3-12
About Installing and Configuring Video Endpoints 3-13
(Optional) Configuring Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook 3-14
(Optional) Configuring Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes 3-14
Configuring Cisco CallManager 3-14
Preparing to Install the Video Integration with DMZ Configurations 3-17
Gathering Installation Values 3-18
Installing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 3-18

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Uninstalling Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 3-19
CHAPTER 4Configuring and Managing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 4-1
About the Cisco MeetingPlace MeetingTime Software Application 4-1
About Video-Conferencing Access Information 4-1
About Changing System Configuration Settings 4-2
Changing Values Entered During Installation of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 4-3
Changing Settings in Other Components 4-3
About Managing Video-Conferencing Resources 4-4
About Configuring Port Parameters 4-7
About Managing User Profiles for Video Use 4-10
Important Information About DMZ Configurations and Video Conferencing 4-12
About Video-Conferencing Bandwidth 4-12
Specifying User and Group Profile Information 4-13
About Video-Conferencing Statistics 4-13
Viewing Video-Conferencing Statistics 4-14
CHAPTER 5Using Cisco MeetingPlace Video Conferencing 5-1
Supported Meeting Types 5-1
About Setting Up End Users for Video Conferencing in Cisco MeetingPlace 5-2
About Scheduling Video Conferences 5-3
Who Can Schedule Video Conferences 5-3
When Video Conferences Can Be Scheduled 5-3
How Users Schedule Video Conferences 5-3
About Rescheduling Video Conferences 5-4
About Attending Cisco MeetingPlace Video Conferences 5-4
How Users Join A Cisco MeetingPlace Video Conference 5-5
Video Features and Functions in the Meeting Room During the Conference 5-7
About Modifying the Video Transmission 5-8
About Modifying the Video Transmission of Other Participants 5-9
About Recording a Video-Conferencing Session 5-9
About Entering a Breakout Session 5-9
About Participating in Lecture Style Meetings 5-9
About Extending a Video Conference 5-10
About Leaving a Video Conference 5-10
About Ending a Video Conference 5-10
Information for End Users 5-10

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CHAPTER 6Troubleshooting 6-1
Viewing the Eventlog 6-1
Setting the Level of Logging Detail 6-1
General Troubleshooting Guidelines 6-2
Problems Configuring and Initiating Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration 6-2
Problems Scheduling a Video Conference 6-5
Problems Joining a Video Conference 6-5
Problems During a Video Conference 6-7
I NDEX

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CHAPTER
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1
Introducing
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
Release 5.3
Administrator’s Guide for Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3 describes
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration.
This chapter contains the following topics:
•Audience, page 1-1
•Scope, page 1-1
•Naming Conventions Used in This Guide, page 1-2
•Overview of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, page 1-2
•Features and Benefits of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, page 1-3
•Additional References, page 1-4
Audience
This guide is intended for Cisco MeetingPlace system administrators who are familiar with the following
products, which are prerequisites for Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration:
•Cisco MeetingPlace 8100 Series servers and the Cisco MeetingPlace MeetingTime software
application
•Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing
•Other Cisco MeetingPlace integration products that are part of the Cisco MeetingPlace system
•Cisco CallManager (if your environment includes this product)
•Cisco IPVC MCU 3.5plus and its required components
Scope
This guide describes how to install, configure, manage, and troubleshoot the
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration. This guide does not describe in detail how to set up
Cisco MeetingPlace audio and web conferencing, nor does it describe how to set up or configure the
Cisco IPVC MCU or any of its components, including H.323 gatekeepers, video endpoints, or gateways.

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Chapter 1 Introducing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3
Naming Conventions Used in This Guide
This guide also does not describe in detail how to configure Cisco CallManager. Cisco IPVC video
conferencing, Cisco CallManager, and Cisco MeetingPlace audio and web-conferencing systems must
be up and running before you install Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration.
For information on any of the preceding systems, see the documents listed in Additional References,
page 1-4.
Naming Conventions Used in This Guide
The following products and components appear frequently in this guide.
Overview of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration is a separately-licensed add-on to Cisco MeetingPlace
conferencing that integrates the voice and web-conferencing capabilities of Cisco MeetingPlace with the
video-conferencing functionality provided by the Cisco IPVC Multipoint Control Unit (MCU). Voice,
web, and video conference participants interact seamlessly in a single rich-media conference.
The visual channel of the video-conferencing medium is handled entirely by the Cisco IPVC MCU and
runs parallel to the voice and web conference. All media (video, voice, and data) are linked but
independent, so that each stream maintains its full feature set and functional richness.
The following steps provide a simplified overview of how the Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
solution works (in a system that includes e-mail notifications):
1. You set up user profiles in Cisco MeetingPlace that control who can schedule video conferences.
2. Users whose profile authorizes them to schedule video conferences submit a single
Cisco MeetingPlace form to schedule a meeting that includes video, voice, and web-conferencing
functionality. Users can require passwords, or specify that only profiled or invited users can attend.
3. Cisco MeetingPlace keeps track of available conferencing resources, including resources available
on the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server and video resources on the Cisco IPVC MCU. If there are
sufficient resources on both systems to accommodate a scheduler’s request, Cisco MeetingPlace
schedules the meeting and sends notifications to the invitees. These notifications include the
information participants need in order to access all conference media.
Official Name Abbreviation
Cisco MeetingPlace 8100 Series server with
Cisco MeetingPlace Audio Server Release 5.3
software
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing
Release 5.3
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing
Cisco MeetingPlace MeetingTime Release 5.3 MeetingTime
Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes Release 5.3 Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes
Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook Release 5.3 Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook
Cisco IPVC MCU 3.5plus Cisco IPVC MCU

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Chapter 1 Introducing Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3
Features and Benefits of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
4. At the scheduled meeting time, invitees use the information in the meeting notification to join each
aspect of the conference: the Cisco MeetingPlace web and voice conferences and the video
conference hosted on the Cisco IPVC MCU. Video participants attend the video aspect of the
conference via a room-based video system or via IP video cameras on their desktop, such as
Cisco VT Advantage. Participants can join the different media using any of several methods.
5. Cisco MeetingPlace initiates the voice conference on the Cisco MeetingPlace system and the video
conference on the Cisco IPVC MCU, and establishes the link that joins the audio of the video
conference with the audio of the voice conference.
6. After participants are in the integrated conference, audio-only and video participants can converse
seamlessly with each other. Video participants can control their audio and video transmission and
display from within the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room.
7. If the conference needs to continue past the time it was scheduled to end, Cisco MeetingPlace
evaluates whether conferencing resources are available on both the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server
and on the Cisco IPVC MCU, then determines whether the conference can be extended.
Video conferences can also be added to an existing Cisco MeetingPlace conference on an ad-hoc basis,
if resources are available.
For details about the end user experience and process for using Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration,
see Chapter 5, “Using Cisco MeetingPlace Video Conferencing” and Chapter 2,
“Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Components and Process.”
Features and Benefits of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration offers the following features:
•Enhances meeting effectiveness by bringing together multiple media to create a rich-media
conferencing environment.
•Offers a solution that integrates readily into existing networks and IP infrastructure.
•Includes tools to manage video-conferencing resources for optimal availability.
•Simplifies the processes of scheduling, distributing notifications, attending, and participating in
multiple media for end users.
•Leverages the existing video-conferencing capability of the Cisco IPVC MCU and networking and
telephony infrastructure, such as Cisco CallManager, to provide a complete and unified multipoint
conferencing solution for Cisco customers.
•Extends important resource management tools from Cisco MeetingPlace to the Cisco IPVC MCU,
allowing you to plan, allocate, and measure resource use, and thus to maximize the utility of
video-conferencing resources.
•Resource management features include the following:
– The ability to schedule video-conferencing resources in advance. Cisco MeetingPlace manages
the scheduling of video-conferencing resources on the Cisco IPVC MCU, which does not have
built-in scheduling functionality.
– Floater and overbook ports to optimize port availability and minimize waste of conference ports.
This increases the availability of conference ports for ad-hoc video conferences.
– User profiles to limit use of conferencing resources to designated meeting schedulers and
groups.
– Statistics on video usage that are included in standard Cisco MeetingPlace reports, so you can
easily evaluate needs and manage all resources.

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Additional References
•Ease-of-use features that simplify the rich-media conferencing process for users include the
following:
– Unified scheduling, which allows users to coordinate all conferencing resources from a single
point. Scheduling is done through familiar desktop applications such as Microsoft Outlook,
Lotus Notes, or a web browser.
– Notifications for each meeting that include the links and instructions to access all conference
media for that meeting.
– Users can initiate or join a video conference on an ad-hoc basis, as long as video-conferencing
resources are available.
– Preference information in user profiles, which automates parts of the attend process.
– Video controls in the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room, which allow users
to control all aspects of their conferencing experience from a single interface.
Additional References
Cisco MeetingPlace products
Guide to Cisco Conferencing Documentation and Support
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/roadmap.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/video/53/index.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace Audio Server Release 5.3
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/audio/53/index.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing Release 5.3
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/web/53/index.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace H.323/SIP IP Gateway Release 5.2.1
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/ipgw/ip521/index.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook Release 5.3
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/outlook/mpol53/index.htm
Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes Release 5.3
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/conf/mtgplace/notes/notes53/index.htm
Cisco IPVC products
All Cisco IPVC products and components
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/ipvc/index.htm
Cisco IOS H.323 Gatekeeper
Cisco IOS H.323 Configuration Guide
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios123/123cgcr/vvfax_c/callc_c/h323_
c/323confg/5gkconf.htm
Or look for the link on the following page:
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios123/123cgcr/vcl.htm

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Additional References
Cisco CallManager
Release 4.1 documentation
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/voice/c_callmg/4_1/index.htm
Release 4.0 documentation
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/voice/c_callmg/4_0/index.htm
Cisco IP Video Telephony Solution Reference Network Design (SRND) for Cisco CallManager
Release 4.0
http://www.cisco.com/application/pdf/en/us/guest/netsol/ns268/c649/ccmigration_09186a008026c
609.pdf
Cisco VT Advantage
http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/voice/c_ipphon/english/ipcvl/index.htm

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CHAPTER
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2
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
Components and Process
This chapter describes the components that are required for the Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
solution:
•Overview of Components, page 2-1
•Supported Cisco MeetingPlace System Configurations, page 2-4
•About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process, page 2-4
Overview of Components
The components shown in Figure 2-1 and described in Table 2-1 work together to provide video
conferences that are integrated with Cisco MeetingPlace voice and web conferences.
In the Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration solution, Cisco MeetingPlace components provide audio
conferencing and web conferencing data collaboration, and the Cisco IPVC MCU and its associated
components provide video conferencing. Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration integrates the two
solutions to provide integrated voice, data, and video conferencing.

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Chapter 2 Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Components and Process
Overview of Components
Figure 2-1
Table 2-1 Components Needed to Integrate Video Conferencing in Cisco MeetingPlace
Component Functions
Cisco MeetingPlace
audio server
•Handles the audio conference.
•Schedules the video conference port resources for the Cisco IPVC MCU.
•Sets the parameters that are interpreted by
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, which uses these parameters to
control conference resources.
Cisco MeetingPlace
H.323/SIP IP
Gateways
•Allows the Cisco MeetingPlace system to communicate with IP telephony
devices.
•Connects the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server to the network and to
Cisco CallManager or the H.323 gatekeeper.
•Establishes the link between the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server and the
Cisco IPVC MCU to enable video and audio participants to hear and speak
to each other.
Cisco
MeetingPlace
audio server
Cisco MeetingPlace
Web Conferencing
Cisco MeetingPlace
Video Integration
Cisco MeetingPlace
for Outlook (optional)
Cisco MeetingPlace
H.323/SIP IP Gateway
Cisco
CallManager
Cisco
IP/VC MCU
Cisco
IOS H.323
Gatekeeper
Cisco
VT Advantage
video endpoint
SCCP
video
endpoint
Cisco
IP Phone
Phone
H.320
video
endpoint
H.323
video
endpoint
H.323
video
endpoint
Cisco
IP/VC
PRI
Gateway
92342
M
M M
M
M
IP IP
PSTN
RTP
XML

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Overview of Components
Cisco MeetingPlace
Web Conferencing
•Displays a user interface to schedule and attend meetings.
•Displays video participant status.
•Provides the web-conferencing meeting room from which users can join
and control video conferences.
•Includes components that enable the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server to
communicate with Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration.
Cisco MeetingPlace
for Outlook
(Optional)
•Presents a convenient scheduling interface to end users.
•Provides meeting notifications that offer users two ways to “click to attend”
video, voice, and web conferences.
Cisco MeetingPlace
for Lotus Notes
(Optional)
•Schedule and attend Cisco MeetingPlace meetings that include video
directly from the Lotus Notes environment.
Cisco IPVC MCU •Processes the video streams to provide the video capability of the system.
•Communicates with the video endpoints.
H.323 gatekeeper •Routes calls between the video endpoints and the Cisco IPVC MCU, based
on the number dialed.
•Handles the IP protocol signaling.
Cisco IPVC PRI
Gateway (Optional)
•Enables H.320 video endpoints to participate in video conferences on the
Cisco IPVC MCU.
Cisco MeetingPlace
Video Integration
•Monitors the configuration of the Cisco IPVC MCU and passes current
status to the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server.
•Authorizes the Cisco IPVC MCU to create and initiate video conferences.
•Initiates the creation of the audio channel between the Cisco IPVC MCU
and the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server.
•Passes information between the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server and the
Cisco IPVC MCU.
•Coordinates capacity by transmitting meeting scheduling, initiation, and
termination information between the various components.
•Controls the behavior of the Cisco IPVC MCU based on meeting type and
requests placed via the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting
room.
•Controls entry of participants into video conferences, based on the number
of video ports scheduled on the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server for the
conference, plus available video floater and video overbook ports, if any.
•Tells the Cisco IPVC MCU when to terminate conferences.
•Keeps track of information for all conference participants in the
Cisco IPVC MCU and their corresponding participant IDs assigned by the
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server.
•Monitors the link between the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server and the
Cisco IPVC MCU and supports recovery if the connection is lost.
Table 2-1 Components Needed to Integrate Video Conferencing in Cisco MeetingPlace (continued)
Component Functions

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Supported Cisco MeetingPlace System Configurations
Supported Cisco MeetingPlace System Configurations
Supported Cisco MeetingPlace system configurations include the following. Complete system
requirements and a Cisco MeetingPlace version compatibility matrix are in the Release Note for
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Release 5.3:
•One Cisco MeetingPlace 8100 series server.
•One or more Cisco MeetingPlace H.323/SIP IP Gateway servers.
•Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing servers in any configuration that is supported in
Release 5.3. However, Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration can be installed only on a single
Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing server.
•Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration installed on a Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing server.
If your system has a DMZ configuration, see Preparing to Install the Video Integration with DMZ
Configurations, page 3-17 for important considerations before installing
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration. A DMZ configuration includes one or more servers in a
DMZ outside the corporate firewall.
•(Optional) Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook.
•(Optional) Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes.
•(Optional) Cisco MeetingPlace SMTP E-Mail Gateway.
The following additional components are also supported:
•One Cisco IPVC MCU with all components including an H.323 gatekeeper.
•(Optional) Cisco CallManager.
About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process
The process of creating, running, and terminating an integrated video, audio, and web conference is
described in this section.
Participants who are using audio-only devices connect to the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server.
Participants with video equipment connect to the Cisco IPVC MCU, which processes both the video and
the audio channel of the video endpoints. Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration mixes the audio streams
from both systems to allow all participants to hear and speak to each other. Figure 2-2 shows this process.
Video endpoints •Capture and transmit video images and audio from each user or location.
•Receive and display video images and audio from other video-conference
participants to the user or location.
Cisco CallManager
(Optional)
On networks configured with Cisco CallManager:
•Allows SCCP endpoints to participate in Cisco MeetingPlace conferences.
•Routes traffic.
Table 2-1 Components Needed to Integrate Video Conferencing in Cisco MeetingPlace (continued)
Component Functions

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About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process
Figure 2-2
How Video Conferences Are Scheduled
A user fills in a standard Cisco MeetingPlace conference scheduling form in Microsoft Outlook, Lotus
Notes, Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing, or MeetingTime; then the user submits that form to
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server. If the user has indicated that the conference will include video
participants, the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server verifies that resources are available, and if so,
schedules the requested number of video ports and (depending on system configuration) notifies
invitees.
About the Minimum Number of Video Ports Scheduled
In order to prevent more video conferences from being scheduled than the Cisco IPVC MCU can support
at one time, Cisco MeetingPlace may schedule more video ports than the meeting scheduler specifies for
a conference. The minimum number of ports that Cisco MeetingPlace schedules for each conference is
determined by the formula [(Total number of video conference ports - Number of video floater ports +
Number of video overbook ports)/ Total number of video conferences available]. If a user does not
schedule fewer ports than the number of ports resulting from this calculation, Cisco MeetingPlace
schedules the number of ports that the scheduler specifies. Floater and overbook ports are defined in
About Configuring Port Parameters, page 4-7.
1The audio of the telephone participants is
processed by the Cisco MeetingPlace audio
server.
4The audio and video channels of the video
endpoints are processed by the
Cisco IPVC MCU.
2The audio channels from telephone
participants are sent to join the audio on the
Cisco IPVC MCU.
5The audio channels of the video endpoints are
sent to join the audio in Cisco MeetingPlace
audio conferencing.
3Video participants hear the audio from
telephone participants.
6Telephone participants hear the audio from
video endpoints.
3
1
2
4
5
6
Cisco
IP/VC
MCU
Cisco
MeetingPlace
audio server
IP
IP
IP
Cisco
IP Phone
Cisco
IP Phone
Cisco
IP Phone
Video
endpoint
Video
endpoint
Video
endpoint
Video
endpoint
92341

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About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process
How Video Conferences Start
The Cisco IPVC MCU is configured to allow Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration to control all H.323
video-conferencing resources and meeting operations on the Cisco IPVC MCU, including initiating
meetings. Cisco MeetingPlace does not control SCCP resources on the Cisco IPVC MCU.
Before a video conference can be started on the Cisco IPVC MCU, a Cisco MeetingPlace meeting must
exist on the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server. However, the meeting does not need to be scheduled in
advance; it can be scheduled as an immediate or reservationless meeting, as long as video ports and video
conferences are available at the time of the request.
The first Cisco MeetingPlace conference participant who joins the video conference initiates the creation
of the video conference on the Cisco IPVC MCU. Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration verifies that
the conference is currently in session or within the guard times of the existing meeting, then tells the
Cisco IPVC MCU to immediately create a video conference with the Meeting ID.
The Meeting ID for the video conference includes the MeetingPlace service prefix that identifies
Cisco MeetingPlace conferences on the Cisco IPVC MCU, plus the standard Cisco MeetingPlace
Meeting ID for that conference. This Meeting ID is used by the gatekeeper or Cisco CallManager to
route incoming calls for this conference over the network to the Cisco IPVC MCU.
Conferences cannot be created by dialing in to the Cisco IPVC MCU unless the meeting has been
scheduled on Cisco MeetingPlace audio server. If a participant dials in to the Cisco IPVC MCU to start
a conference, the Cisco IPVC MCU sends information about the new video conference to
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration. If the conference has not been scheduled in Cisco MeetingPlace,
is not currently in session, or is outside the guard times of a scheduled meeting,
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration tells the Cisco IPVC MCU not to create the conference.
How the Link Between the Cisco IPVC MCU and the Cisco MeetingPlace Audio Server Is
Established
When the first video participant joins an authorized video conference, either by outdialing from the
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing meeting room or by dialing in to the Cisco IPVC MCU,
Cisco MeetingPlace creates the link that connects the audio channel of the video conference and the
audio channel of the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server.
To initiate this link, Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration tells the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server to
outdial to the Cisco IPVC MCU; the call is routed through the
Cisco MeetingPlace H.323/SIP IP Gateway to Cisco CallManager or to the H.323 gatekeeper, either of
which has been configured to route the call to the Cisco IPVC MCU. Either the gatekeeper or the
Cisco IPVC MCU can route the call to the correct conference. The routing pattern (outdialed number)
for this transaction is composed of the service prefix that identifies Cisco MeetingPlace conferences on
the Cisco IPVC MCU (and also is unique among the routing patterns configured on the gatekeeper and
CallManager) plus the Cisco MeetingPlace Meeting ID of the conference.
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration tries three times to establish this link.
After the link is established, the entire audio channel of the video conference on the Cisco IPVC MCU
becomes a participant in the Cisco MeetingPlace audio conference and vice versa.
Note The video link appears as a named participant in the in-session tab in MeetingTime, but not in the
Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room. It also is included in some reports, but not all. See
About Video-Conferencing Statistics, page 4-13.

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About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process
After the link is established, all further communication between the Cisco IPVC MCU and the
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server is handled through the Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
component, which communicates with the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server through MPAgent.
MPAgent is a component of Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing, which is a prerequisite to
installation of Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration. Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration
communicates with the Cisco IPVC MCU using proprietary XML messaging.
If the link between Cisco MeetingPlace and the Cisco IPVC MCU is disconnected,
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration attempts to reestablish it three times, checking every minute, or
when another participant joins the conference.
How Video Conference Participants Join Meetings
There are several ways additional participants can join the video conference. The process of adding
participants to the conference depends on how they enter the meeting.
If a Participant Joins a Scheduled Video Conference by Outdialing From the Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing Meeting
Room
When a participant clicks Connect from within Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing, or in a calendar
entry in Cisco MeetingPlace for Lotus Notes, or in the MeetingPlace tab of a meeting notification in
Cisco MeetingPlace for Outlook, Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration sends a message to the
Cisco IPVC MCU to outdial to the endpoint of the participant. When the participant has successfully
joined the video conference, the Cisco IPVC MCU notifies Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, and
the status of the participant is recorded in the participant list that is displayed in the meeting room of
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing.
If a Participant Joins a Scheduled Video Conference by Dialing in to the Cisco IPVC MCU
Participants dial in to the conference from their video endpoint by using the number provided in the
Connect dialog box in the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room. This number is the
service prefix on the Cisco IPVC MCU that identifies Cisco MeetingPlace conferences, plus the
Cisco MeetingPlace Meeting ID. Cisco CallManager or the gatekeeper routes all incoming H.323 calls
that begin with the specified service prefix to the Cisco IPVC MCU, which routes each call to the correct
video conference based on the Cisco MeetingPlace meeting ID number portion of the number that was
dialed.
When participants attempt to join the video conference by dialing in from their video endpoint, the
Cisco IPVC MCU accepts the call only if the conference is not restricted to profiled or invited users and
does not require a password. (This is because the Cisco IPVC MCU cannot authenticate dial-in
participants.) If the participant is granted access, the Cisco IPVC MCU checks with
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration to see if the meeting is in session and within the guard times. If
so, the Cisco IPVC MCU admits the participant to the video conference and notifies
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration that the participant has joined the conference.
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration notifies Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing and the
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server of the status of the participant.
If a Participant Joins a Video Conference on an Ad-Hoc Basis
If all scheduled video-conferencing ports for a meeting that is already in progress are already in use and
an additional participant attempts to join the video conference, the user may be able to join on an ad-hoc
basis. In this case, the Cisco IPVC MCU polls Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration to see if
video-conferencing ports are available, and if they are, the Cisco IPVC MCU allows the participant to
join the conference.

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About the Cisco MeetingPlace Video-Conferencing Process
How Video Conferences Run
About the Video Images
The visual stream to and from the video endpoints is entirely processed by the Cisco IPVC MCU. After
the call is connected, the media stream is routed from the video endpoint, through the Cisco IPVC MCU
for processing into a unified video stream, and back to the video endpoints for display to the users.
However, users control the status of the transmission (for example, started, paused, or terminated) from
within the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room. See About Displaying the Status and
Options of Video Participants in the Meeting Room, page 2-8.
About the Audio Channel
The audio streams of the Cisco IPVC MCU and Cisco MeetingPlace are mixed to allow audio and
video-conferencing participants to hear and speak to each other. The audio channel from each video
endpoint is routed to the Cisco IPVC MCU, then passed through the video link to the
Cisco MeetingPlace audio server, where it is mixed with the audio from audio-only endpoints and sent
back to all users, to form a seamless audio experience for participants on both video and audio-only
endpoints.
About Displaying the Status and Options of Video Participants in the Meeting
Room
When the Cisco IPVC MCU admits a participant to a video conference, the Cisco IPVC MCU notifies
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, which notifies Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing.
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing identifies the participant as a video participant in the participant
list in the Cisco MeetingPlace web-conferencing meeting room. The participant name displayed comes
from the participant’s profile or guest information if they outdialed from Cisco MeetingPlace, and from
the gatekeeper if they dialed in to the video conference. When a participant mutes, pauses, changes the
view of, or terminates their video connection, Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing registers this
change in the meeting room user interface and passes the request to
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, which passes the request to the Cisco IPVC MCU where it is
performed. If the user terminates the connection by hanging up the video endpoint, the
Cisco IPVC MCU notifies Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration, which then notifies
Cisco MeetingPlace Web Conferencing so that the status of that participant can be updated.
When a video participant speaks, the Now Speaking display shows “Video Participant.”
How Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration Tracks Port Availability
The number of available ports and conferences is determined by the Cisco IPVC MCU.
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration polls the Cisco IPVC MCU every 30 minutes for this information
and passes it to the Cisco MeetingPlace audio server, which displays it in MeetingTime.
Cisco MeetingPlace Video Integration uses this information to regulate the creation of and entry to video
conferences.