ISUnet Services

Desktop Video Conferencing

Over the last few years, the availability of desktop video applications has greatly grown. With these new applications have come new standards to support the ubiquitous availability of these applications on ISUnet.

Several video standards exist that define signaling protocols and framing formats over different network infrastructures. Below is a list of well-known video standards as defined by the ITU (International Telecommunications Union).

The most effective technique to promote the universal availability of desktop video on ISUnet is through the adoption of standards that support desktop video applications using the existing data network infrastructure. The only video standard that satisfies this requirement is H.323. At the same time, gateway software is available to connect between existing H.320 room based and H.323 video conferencing systems on campus.

At this time, Telecommunications and Networking is developing a plan for introducing a centralized desktop video conferencing system on campus. A specific date has not yet been defined because this project is contingent on funding.

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Video Broadcasting

There are a variety of tools available for end users to watch broadcast video over ISUnet. This includes applications such as RealMedia, QuickTime and others. In an effort to promote standards, Telecommunications and Networking is working with CISS and CTSS to introduce a centralized server for video broadcasting. This server will promote a consistent group of applications (probably RealMedia and QuickTime) using consistent encoding rates. A specific date has not yet been defined since this project is contingent on funding.

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Video on Demand

The same tools can be used for video on demand that are typically available for broadcast. This includes applications such as RealMedia, QuickTime and others. In an effort to promote standards, Telecommunications and Networking is working with CISS and CTSS to introduce a centralized server for video on demand. This server will promote a consistent group of applications (probably RealMedia and QuickTime) using consistent encoding rates. A specific date has not yet been defined since this project is contingent on funding.

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