Table Of Contents
For More Information
Cisco IPICS PMC Debug Reference
Connectivity Tips for Using the PMC
Tips for Using the Correct Location
Optimizing Your Audio on the PMC
Talking on the PMC
Channel Activity Status Tips
Using CSA with the PMC
For More Information
For additional information about the Cisco IP Interoperability and Collaboration System (Cisco IPICS) PMC, refer to the Cisco IPICS PMC Installation and User Guide.
Refer to the following URL for the complete Cisco IPICS documentation set: http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/
product/cis/c_ipics/index.htm.
Quick Start Guide
Cisco IPICS PMC Debug Reference
Connectivity Tips for Using the PMC
The following tips will help you to ensure successful connection of the Cisco IPICS Push-to-Talk Management Center (PMC):
•
Before you launch the PMC, establish network connectivity to make sure that you have a valid IP address.
•If the Cisco VPN Client is installed on your PMC client machine, make sure that you disable the "Stateful Firewall (Always On)" option; otherwise SIP and multicast connections may not work correctly.
•For the PMC to work properly with Windows XP, you may need to modify your firewall settings to ensure that the PMC can send and receive the required protocols.
•Certain Windows 2000 and Windows XP PMC client machines may encounter issues with sending multicast communications (the PMC machine may be able to receive but not transmit traffic.) In this situation, connect to Cisco IPICS over a unicast connection by choosing the remote location.
•Use a high-speed connection when you use the PMC; a slow-speed connection may affect voice quality.
•Try to limit the use of high-bandwidth applications on the PMC client machine at the same time that you use the PMC; check your CPU activity and close any programs that do not need to be open.
Tips for Using the Correct Location
The Cisco IPICS server contains the location information to determine how the PMC should connect.
•For optimum connectivity and higher quality audio, use the most appropriate location for your connection type when you log in to the PMC.
•If you have both wired and wireless connections active, and if you are connecting via a multicast location, either disable the wireless connection or make sure that the PMC uses the IP address that is assigned to the wired connection.
•If you choose a location and you do not hear any voice traffic, choose a different location until you hear the audio on the channel. You can change your location by restarting the PMC and then choosing another available location from the drop-down list box in the location selection dialog box.
Optimizing Your Audio on the PMC
To avoid issues that may arise from incomplete transmissions, be sure to use a high-quality microphone and check the placement and settings of your audio devices before you begin to use the PMC.
•Make sure that you have an audio input device connected to your PMC client machine.
•To limit echo, check to make sure that you are using the preferred or default sound devices in the Windows audio settings.
•Check the audio recording and playback capability of the microphone by using the Windows Sound Recorder.
•Use a high-quality headset and microphone to ensure enhanced voice quality for both receive and transmit activity.
•Check the placement of your microphone so that it is positioned between 2 and 6 inches from your mouth.
•Check the volume level to make sure that it is not set too low. You can increase the input gain by sliding the bar up on the volume controls.
•Make sure that your output speaker volume is not muted or set too low. Check the volume controls in the Windows operating system, on the headset device, and on the PMC.
•Make sure that your microphone is not set to mute. Check your settings in the Windows operating system and check to make sure that the mute button is not engaged on your headset device.
•Ensure that the microphone is available. If the microphone is busy or if it cannot be opened by the PMC for other reasons, you will be able to listen to active conversations but you will not be able to talk.
•If you use a USB DSP headset, make sure that you connect it to the client machine before you launch the PMC; otherwise, you will need to restart the PMC to get it to work correctly.
•Depending on your operating system, multiple voice applications may not be able to run concurrently and open and use the microphone at the same time. When you launch the PMC, you may see a message that informs you that the PMC cannot use the microphone; in this situation, close the other audio application(s) and restart the PMC.
Talking on the PMC
•Click the Activate button on the PMC to listen in on a channel.
•To talk on a channel, click and hold the PTT button before you speak. Release the button to invoke listen-only mode.
•Talk in short bursts and monitor the receive and transmit indicators to make sure that you are not talking over other Cisco IPICS users.
•Use the most recent version of the PMC; newer versions often contain voice quality updates.
Channel Activity Status Tips
•You can only view and use those voice channels that the dispatcher has assigned to you.
•If your ability to transmit on a channel has been disabled, the PTT button will not highlight.
•When a channel is disabled, all of the PMC buttons are grayed-out or muted so that you cannot activate the channel.
•An unassigned channel appears on the PMC with all of the buttons grayed-out and no channel name. You cannot activate or use an unassigned channel.
Using CSA with the PMC
When you have Cisco Security Agent (CSA) installed on the PMC client machine, be aware that you may be prompted with CSA access permission dialog boxes for various operations that you are trying to perform.
•Whenever CSA prompts you for permission, while you are performing any operation on the PMC, be sure to always click Yes to grant permission and continue with that operation.
•If the "Don't ask me again" check box displays as an option, you may check it to instruct CSA not to prompt you again in the future.
•If you allow CSA to time-out based on its default value of No after you launch the PMC, the PMC will be able to receive traffic but it will not be able to send traffic; that is, you will still be able to listen to any active conversations but you will not be able to transmit.
Note: Refer to the Cisco IPICS PMC Installation and User Guide for additional details as they relate to the information that is contained in this debug reference quick start guide.
