Polycom VIEWSTATION EX How to use

Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000
Version 6.0.4
Polycom is pleased to announce the release of ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and
VS4000, version 6.0.4.
The ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems provide natural video
conferencing interaction through the most advanced video communications technology,
with
High-quality video
Crystal-clear audio
Enhanced security options
This document provides the latest information about version 6.0.4 software for
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems.
Topics
Page
What’s New in This Release?....................................................................................................... 1
State-of-the-Art Feature Review.................................................................................................. 2
Superior Video with Support for the H.264 Standard ...................................................... 2
AES Encryption Support....................................................................................................... 2
Easy System Configuration and Management................................................................... 3
Easy Software Updates and Upgrades................................................................................ 3
Interoperability.............................................................................................................................. 4
Feature Limitations ....................................................................................................................... 7
Upgrade Details............................................................................................................................. 9
Where to Get the Latest Product Information......................................................................... 10
What’s New in This Release?
Necessary changes in the Viewstation hardware cause a minor difference in operation
when using the snapshot features. All snapshot capabilities remain consistent, but in
certain cases, the video preview prior to capturing the snapshot may be passed on to the
far site. See the feature limitations section for details.
3725-21815-005/A

Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
State-of-the-Art Feature Review
Superior Video with Support for the H.264 Standard
The H.264 standard provides 15 fps video at line rates below 192 Kbps and 30 fps
at line rates from 192 to 384 Kbps. H.264 video is supported in both IP and ISDN
calls.
Available as an option for existing systems. For information about adding the
H.264 option to currently deployed systems, please contact your Polycom
distributor.
Interoperates with other systems using H.264 standard implementations.
You can configure the system to use standards-based 50/60 fields video for calls
at 512 Kbps and above.
Error Concealment allows IP calls to provide high-quality audio and video even
over networks experiencing heavy traffic.
AES Encryption Support
Features of the encryption option include:
Standards-based encryption at all speeds up to 2Mbps, in IP and ISDN calls.
On-screen indicators show whether encryption is in use during calls.
Automatic encryption of point-to-point and multipoint calls is available.
Support for People+Content calls. Video and graphics streams are both
encrypted.
ITU standard key exchange and key management.
Support for National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved,
FIPS 197 compliant 128-bit AES encryption with extended Diffie-Hellman key
distribution recommended by the H.235 (version 3) standard for IP networks and
the H.233/H.234 standard for ISDN networks.
Interoperates with VSX, iPower, and MGC.
Interoperates with other systems using the H.233/H.234/H.235 (version 3)
standard encryption implementation.
For information about purchasing the encryption option, please contact your
Polycom distributor.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Easy System Configuration and Management
The Address Book Utility is available through the web interface. This utility
allows the system administrator to
back up systems’ address books in a central location,
edit address books, and
distribute the same address book to several systems.
System administrators can make chair control functionality inaccessible to users
remotely using the PMAC application.
IP systems can be configured to get the time from a time server. This allows the
system to record call times accurately in the CDR if the time server is available.
The alternate gatekeeper feature allows the ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, or
VS4000 system to dynamically update its configured gatekeeper IP address when
the gatekeeper changes IP address (for example, when a system administrator
redirects network traffic to a different gatekeeper during maintenance and
service).
System administrators can set QoS values (IP precedence or DiffServ) separately
for video, audio, and far-site camera control.
Third-party applications for using and managing the systems require the same
passwords as the ViewStation web interface.
Easy Software Updates and Upgrades
The ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems include one-year
hardware warranty (30-day return upon receipt at factory) and 90-day software
warranty. For the first year, software updates (bug fixes and maintenance releases)
and software upgrades (feature releases) are also included.
Complete the one-time product registration form on the Polycom Resource Center
website at http://extranet.polycom.com to access software downloads. Using the
information provided as part of product registration, Polycom will make every effort
to send you electronic notification of software releases as and when available.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Interoperability
The following table lists equipment that has been tested with the ViewStation EX,
ViewStation FX, and VS4000 systems.
Manufacturer Model Version
H.320 Endpoint Interoperability
iPower 600 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0
iPower 900 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0.1
iPower 9000 Series 5.0, 5.3, and 6.0.1
Polycom VSX Series 5.0 and later
Sony PCS6000 5.01
Sony PCS-1 2.01
Tandberg 1000 B7.1
Tandberg 6000 B7.1 and E3.1
Tandberg 800 B7.1
Tandberg 880 E3.1
VCON Media Connect 8000 4.6
Aethra Vega Star Gold 4.01
H.323 Endpoint Interoperability
Microsoft NetMeeting 3.0
Microsoft NetMeeting 3.01
iPower 600 Series 5.0 and 5.3
iPower 900 Series 5.0 and 5.3
iPower 9000 Series 5.0 and 5.3
Polycom VSX Series 5.0 and later
Sony PCS6000 5.01
Sony PCS-1 2.01
Tandberg 1000 B7.1
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Manufacturer Model Version
Tandberg 6000 B7.1 and E3.1
Tandberg 800 B7.1
Tandberg 880 E3.1
VCON Media Connect 8000 4.6
VCON Falcon 3.0
MCU H.320 Interoperability
Polycom MGC-25 5.12 and 6.0
Polycom MGC-50 5.12 and 6.0
Polycom MGC-100 5.12 and 6.0
MCU H.323 Interoperability
Polycom MGC-25 5.12 and 6.0
Polycom MGC-50 5.12 and 6.0
Polycom MGC-100 5.12 and 6.0
RADVision MCU 2.2.0.9d
RADVision ViaIP MCU 3.2.12
Gateway/Gatekeeper/T120 Server Interoperability
Polycom MGC-100/gateway 6.0
Polycom PathNavigator 5.0 and 5.2
Cisco MCM Gatekeeper on the 3640 router 12.1 build 7
Cisco 2515 Gatekeeper
RADVision L2W-323BRI Gateway/Gatekeeper 2.2.3.2.5
RADVision L2W-323PRI Gateway/Gatekeeper 2.2.3.2.5
RADVision MCU Gatekeeper 2.2.1.0.9d
RADVision ViaIP Gateway 2.0.1.8
RADVision ECS/viaIP Gatekeeper 2.0.2.2
RAC DCS Server 3.2.0.0
Firewall/NAT Interoperability
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Manufacturer Model Version
Cisco router 12.2 build 7
Linksys 1.40.2
NetGear 3.25
SMC 7004BR 1.93s
Siemens 1.1
Cisco PIX 6.1.2
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Feature Limitations
The following table lists known limitations of the ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX,
and VS4000 systems.
Feature Limitations
Snapshots In some cases, snapshot previewing does not behave as described in the
documentation.
You can send snapshots from any video source connected to the system, but in
some cases you will not be able to preview it without also sending the preview to
the far site.
As documented, pressing the snapshot button once allows you to see live video
from the selected snapshot source without sending it to the far site; the system
sends a snapshot when you press the snapshot button a second time.
In the following cases, however, the far site receives the preview as well as the
snapshot:
When the main camera (camera 1) is selected, and you preview a
snapshot from the VCR/DVD (camera 3), or vice-versa
When the second PTZ camera (camera 4) is selected, and you preview a
snapshot from the stationary camera (camera 2), or vice-versa
Affected systems have part numbers ending in -010, -011, -012, -051, or -052.
Sharing content When using a Visual Concert FX unit at 600 x 400 resolution, the PC’s VGA
refresh rate cannot be changed from 75 Hz to 85 Hz. When the Visual Concert
FX unit is set for 1024 x 768, the refresh rate cannot be changed from 60 Hz to
72 Hz. In these two instances, the system does not display a message to notify
the user that the selected refresh rate is not supported.
Hardware
connections On a Visual Concert FX unit with two microphone pods attached, disconnecting one microphone pod may cause the other microphone pod to work improperly. If
this happens, restart the system.
Hardware
compatibility
The microphone pods and cables for the ViewStation systems are not
interchangeable with those designed for use with VSX systems.
The power supply provided with ViewStation EX and ViewStation FX
systems is not interchangeable with the power supply used for other
ViewStation products. Do not use any power supply except the one
provided with your system. The product warranty will be void if you use any
power supply other than the one provided with the system.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Feature Limitations
Interoperability In H.320 calls between a Tandberg system running the beta version of the
E4.0 software and a ViewStation FX running version 6.01 software, the
Tandberg system is unable to control the ViewStation FX camera.
However, the ViewStation FX system is able to control the Tandberg
system's camera. This is a Tandberg issue.
The system is unable to place encrypted calls through the Cisco PIX
firewall.
The system cannot make encrypted multipoint calls through the Tandberg
MCU using version 3.0 software.
The system is unable to place encrypted calls through the Ezenia MCU.
The system cannot place encrypted H.323 calls to Aethra VegaStar Gold
systems.
When placing calls through the MGC MCU, the call may be placed
incorrectly if the extension is entered in the number field. The call will be
dialed correctly if the extension is entered in the extension field.
Video may display incorrectly in multipoint ISDN calls through a Tandberg
MCU if the display is configured for discussion mode.
In calls using a RADVision ECS gatekeeper running a software version
before 3.5 and set for routed mode (Call setup Q.931 and Call control
H245), the system may be unable to share content properly. This can be
prevented by setting the RADVision ECS for direct mode.
In some low-speed calls, the system is unable to share content properly
with Tandberg and Sony systems.
Far site mute indications are not available in calls with Aethra VegaStar
Gold systems.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Upgrade Details
To upgrade your software via the Internet:
1. From your PC, go to http://extranet.polycom.com, and download the
appropriate software update file for your ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX,
or VS4000 system in .zip format.
2. Extract the software update file.
3. Double-click Softupdate.exe.
4. Click Softupdate, then enter the IP address of the system you want to
update. Enter the administrator password, if required, and click OK to begin
the upgrade.
5. In the System Info window, click Options.
6. Verify that the update options are set up according to your preferences:
To complete this task… Do this:
Clear all entries from the local address book Select Remove Address Book entries.
If you do not select this option, your address
book will be preserved.
Delete all system information including the
Administrator password and software option
key
Select Remove System Files. You will need to
go through the initial system setup if you select
this option.
If you do not select this option, your system
information will be preserved.
Allow the system to issue an IP address to a
computer that you connect to it
Note: Do not use this setting if the system is
connected to a LAN with a DHCP server
Select Allow system to be a DHCP Server.
The setting will not take effect if the system is
on a LAN with an active DHCP server.
If the system has previously been configured as
a DHCP server, it reverts to being a DHCP
client when it is connected to a LAN and
restarted.
Obtain all the software options you purchased,
including those you added after the initial
purchase, without entering a license or
software option key
1. Select Upload Option Key > Obtain
authorized options from server.
2. Enter your Polycom Resource Center user
name and password in the appropriate
fields.
Your system is updated with all of the options
you have purchased.
Obtain the software options you originally
purchased, using the software option key that
you received
1. Select Upload Option Key > Manual
option key entry.
2. Enter your software option key.
If you purchased more than one software
option when you purchased the system,
your software option key allows you to
update all the options you originally
purchased.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
To complete this task… Do this:
Register additional license keys with Polycom
Resource Center
Note: Software option keys are issued by
Polycom Resource Center. They are not the
same as license keys. You may only enter one
software option key for the SoftUpdate, but you
may enter several license keys.
To use individual license keys:
1. Select Upload Option Key > Add new
software options > Licenses.
2. In the Licenses field, enter your software
license key. You may enter two or more
license keys, using commas to separate
them.
3. Enter your Polycom Resource Center user
name and password in the appropriate
fields.
To use a license file:
1. Select Upload Option Key > Add new
software options > License File.
2. Browse to the license file that you have
created using the system’s serial number
and license key.
This is a tab-delimited .txt file.
3. Enter your Polycom Resource Center user
name and password in the appropriate
fields.
Save the SoftUpdate options that you select Select Save Options.
Note: The Batch file option is not available at this time.
7. Click OK to return to the System Info screen.
8. In the System Info screen, click OK to upgrade the software.
While the system is being updated during the software upgrade, the monitor display
may go blank. When the software upgrade is complete, the system restarts.
Caution: Do not power off the system until the software upgrade is complete.
Where to Get the Latest Product Information
To view the latest Polycom product documentation, visit the Documentation section of
our website at www.polycom.com/videodocumentation.
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Release Notes
ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000, v. 6.0.4
Warranty and Registration
The ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 include one-year hardware warranty (30-day return upon receipt at
factory) and 90-day software warranty. For the first year, software updates (bug fixes and maintenance releases) and
software upgrades (feature releases) are also included.
Complete the one-time product registration form on the Polycom Resource Center website at http://extranet.polycom.com
to access software downloads. Using the information provided as part of product registration, Polycom will make every
effort to send you electronic notification of software releases as and when available.
Copyright Information
© 2005 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, for
any purpose, without the express written permission of Polycom, Inc.
Portions of the ViewStation EX, ViewStation FX, and VS4000 software are copyright © 2001 by Dr Brian Gladman. The
following terms and disclaimer apply to Dr. Gladman’s AES encryption implementation:
Copyright © 2001, Dr Brian Gladman <[e-mail]>, Worcester, UK. All rights reserved.
LICENSE TERMS
The free distribution and use of this software in both source and binary form is allowed (with or without
changes) provided that:
1. distributions of this source code include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the
following disclaimer;
2. distributions in binary form include the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following
disclaimer in the documentation and/or other associated materials;
3. the copyright holder's name is not used to endorse products built using this software without specific
written permission.
DISCLAIMER
This software is provided 'as is' with no explicit or implied warranties in respect of its properties, including, but
not limited to, correctness and fitness for purpose.
Polycom, Inc. retains title to, and ownership of, all proprietary rights with respect to the software contained within its
products. The software is protected by United States copyright laws and international treaty provision.
Trademark Information
Polycom®, ViewStation®, and the Polycom logo design are registered trademarks of Polycom, Inc. Visual Concert™,
People+Content™, Conference On Demand™, PathNavigator™, and MGC™ are trademarks of Polycom, Inc.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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