Videoconferencing at UGA

Students, faculty and staff at the University of Georgia have been using personal or departmental, Internet-based videoconferencing (VC) capabilities for a couple years. Personal VC systems are typically Microsoft-based, e.g., Windows Messenger (or the older version called Netmeeting). Departmental systems are usually commercial hardware and software solutions such as various Polycom models. To see a list of the advertised videoconferencing systems at UGA, go to "Advertised UGA Videoconferencing Systems". One of the entries on the list is the EITS Polycom VC system, which can be used as a test point for departmental VC systems when it is not being used by ETIS staff for videoconferencing sessions.

The quality of one's videoconferencing experience depends on whether the VC systems involved are hardware- or software-based. It also depends on the available "end-to-end" network bandwidth and quality of service capabilities. A document titled "Network Concerns for Videoconferencing" provides a summary of the networking issues surrounding videoconferencing. Another video conferencing document titled "Technical Recommendations and How To Instructions for UGA Enterprise Video Conferencing" was developed by a video confencing QoS task force and contains valuable information regarding how to set up video conferencing. EITS Network Operations and Infrastructure staff can assist departments in assessing the suitability of their network infrastructure for videoconferencing use. To request assistance, contact the EITS Help Desk (706-542-3106 or helpdesk@uga.edu) or submit a request ticket via the "EITS Request Assistance" Web page.

Both new and experienced users of videoconferencing systems are encouraged to read an excellent guide to videoconferencing called the "ViDe Videoconferencing Cookbook V4.0 ", considered by many to be the "Bible of videoconferencing". This cookbook covers all aspects of videoconferencing including system selection guidelines, optimal room characteristics, troubleshooting techniques, etc.

If all of the videoconferencing locations are on the Internet2 network, the Internet2 Commons is a service that can provide multi-location videoconferencing sessions for a nominal fee. Individuals at Internet2 institutions who want to test their videoconferencing systems for use on the Internet2 backbone can use the OWAMP service.