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The Use of Videoconferencing and Webcasting at the Fundação para Computação Cientifica Nacional

Rui Ribeiro(racr@fccn.pt)

Fundação para Computação Científica Nacional

Foundation for National Scientific Computing

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Summary

• Brief FCCN History• The Research Network• International Projects / Participation• WebCast• Videoconferencing• Projects for 2004

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Brief FCCN History• Founded 1987

• “Big Computer” & Terminal Network

• Universities / R&D Institutions

• Increase in network bandwidth / Internet Boom

• The need for new services

• First experiments with WebCast – 1996

• First H.323 terminals – 1999

• WG-Multimedia – 2002

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Portuguese K-12

Access Equipment – Router + PC ISDN – 2 Channels (1997) Manages > 10000 ISDN connections Helpline - Callcentre

Broadband Upgrade towards ADSL/PowerLine Central Services Node Performance / Security

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Higher Education and Research Labs Network

Network Management Router Management ~100 Members

International Link: Géant Portuguese Internet Exchange: GigaPix

Advanced Services: QoS, Multicast, IPv6

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IPv6

IPv6 interconnected members

Native Connectivity through Géant Portuguese IPv6 Task-Force European IPv6 Task-Force 6NET Project

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International Projects

• TERENA - TF-Netcast• VRVS• Opera Oberta• CERT.PT // TERENA TF-CSIRT • TF-NGN• 6Net• Cantino Connection / H.323 Testing

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WebCast

• MBone experiments (vic/rat)• First experiments with Microsoft Netshow

(1996)• Some experiments with Real (2000 – 2002)• Some experiments with Darwin (2002 –

2003)• MS WM “officially” adopted

– Affordable, usable API, browser integration– Linux Integration?

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WebCast Service at FCCN

• Initial Contact• Form submission• Site survey• Testing (4 to 15 days before WebCast)• Audio/Video presencial support• Audio/Video equipment lending (Digital

Camera(s), Digital Recorder, Lights, Sound, Video Mixing Table)

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WebCast Service at FCCN

• Encoder System (presencial support)• IP conectivity / troubleshooting• Broadcast Server configuration (Unicast /

Multicast / IPv6)• Webpage construction (PPT Sinc,

FormMail for on-line questions)• Log Analysis

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WebCast Service at FCCN

• Future developlements– WebService Integration– VOD / Session Portal Integration (TF-

Netcast?)– DRM– Easy to use!– A lot more “marketing”

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Videoconferencing• 1999 – First Terminals & MCU• 2000 – Used internally• 2002 – Wish to make a network service• 2004 – VC Studios

• Meanwhile: H.323 know-how (firewall, NAT, ...), more terminals, more bandwidth, more international integration, more information to the universities, low-bandwidth testing, international testing (FCCN/RNP), terminal testing, more documentation, new MCU.

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VC Studios• H.323 Based• High quality systems / environment

– Prepared Rooms– QoS

• Multipurpose– Videoconferencing– E-Learning oriented (Webcast, Video Archive)

• Case studies– Welsh Video Network– Access Grid

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VC Studios• Webcast Ready

– PC System will broadcast and provide the tools for PPT/APP sinc and Video archiving

• Web Managed Resources– Phisical Rooms– Virtual Rooms (MCU)– Control?

• AAA• Usage Metrics (On-line reporting)

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Conclusion

• Technical Organization• Member of:

– TERENA – National Representative– RIPE – Local Internet Registry– DANTE – National Representative– IPv6 Forum – Member– EURO-IX – Foundation Member

• Extensive Know-how (WAN, Multicast, IPv6, WiFi, CERT, Broadband Services)

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FCCN

Rui Ribeiro

racr@fccn.pt

http://www.fccn.pt

Portugal