Frequently asked questions from LSVNP members.

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Q. How do I unregister with the gatekeeper in order to make a test point to point call?

A. Please follow these steps:

• To dial someone not registered with an LSVNP Gatekeeper you must first obtain their IP address. (ex. 152.2.21.1)

• Second, you will need to unregister with your Gatekeeper, or the Gatekeeper will not permit you to reach them.

• On the VCON this requires the following:
  • Right click on the Conference bar.
  • Then left click on configuration on the menu that comes up.
  • Select the H323 tab, and look at the Gatekeeper address field.
  • Record the IP address currently in there.
  • Next clear out the field by deleting its current value.
  • Then restart the client and you will be able to dial endpoints that are not part of LSVNP.
  • Remember to put the number back in the Gatekeeper field when you are through, or you will be unable to dial other LSVNP project members.

   

• On the Intel ProShare this requires the following:
  • Click Tools -> Preferences.
  • Select the 'Gatekeeper' tab.
  • In the gatekeeper tab, erase the current entry and replace it with the following value '127.0.0.1'
  • Then click OK. Exit out of the ProShare software.
  • Restart the Proshare software.
  • You are now ready to call an endpoint that is not part of LSVNP.
  • Remember to change this back to your correct Gatekeeper afterwards, or you will be unable to call your fellow project members!

Q. Can I use my Cisco router with the built-in gatekeeper to connect to ViDeNet?

A. No. Cisco's MCM software built into their routers does not support the fully identifiable IP address dial prefix in use on ViDeNet. ViDe is working with Cisco to fix this problem.

Q. Can't I connect to users that are not on ViDeNet?

A. Yes. Under the fully scaled h.323 model each campus or network has its own zone or gatekeeper. Interconnecting these zones is what ViDeNet is all about. If you have a user that does not have her own zone, you can have her connect to one of ViDeNet's public gatekeepers. These public gatekeepers are specifically setup for users that have not yet implemented their own zones but have a need to get started with video teleconferencing or voice over IP. ViDeNet Public Zone is a public gatekeeper available for ViDeNet users.

Q. I removed the gatekeeper entry from ProShare but I am still getting a gatekeeper error. Why?

A. ProShare has a bug that causes the gatekeeper entry to remain stored in the system even though the gatekeeper field appears blank. To unregister from a gatekeeper, enter 127.0.0.1 in the gatekeeper field.

Q: Can I use ProShare on ViDeNet?

A: You can use any h.323 client you want on ViDeNet. However, CAVNER has discovered a bug in ProShare that causes it to send erroneous call setup information from time to time in a managed zone environment. This causes calls to fail and renders the system useless for extension based dialing. No workaround has been identified.

Q. Do I see everyone else on my screen when I am in a multipoint conference call?

A. There are two basic ways that multipoint calling works. One possibility is the 'Hollywood Squares' approach where you see all other participants in small windows on your screen. The other approach is known as voice activated switching. LSVNP supports voice activated switching on its multipoint services. In this mode, the person that is speaking is displayed on everyone else's screen. This has the effect of focusing attention only on the person that is speaking at the time.

Q. How do I find the IP address on my computer?

A. On 95/98 the best way to do this is to click on Start -> Run and then type "winipcfg". On NT 4.0 the best way is to click on Start -> Run and then "cmd". In the resultant DOS window type ipconfig and this will return your IP address.

Q. How do I configure NetMeeting?

• Bring up NetMeeting
• Go to "Tools" and Select "Options."
• Select "Advanced Calling" at the bottom of the window.
• For "Gatekeeper" put your Gatekeeper IP. Example:152.002.002.209
• For Account name put your alias. Example: me@school.edu
• For "Phone number" put your extension. Example: 3231234
• Select OK
• You are now ready to dial

Q. Can I run my client on Windows 95?

A. Windows 95 is not on the list of supported platforms for LSVNP. We advocate NT in all possible circumstances, but barring that 98SE is the only supported 9x OS.

Q: Whenever I try to call someone I get 'call rejected' even though I know that both endpoints are online and registered.

A: If you are cutting and pasting from the dialing directory, make sure there are no spaces at the end of the dial string.