Table Of Contents

Using the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU

About Using the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU

Making an Ad Hoc Conference Call

Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Dialing Conventions for H.323 Endpoints

Starting or Joining an Ad Hoc Conference with H.323 Endpoints

Inviting Multiple H.323 Endpoints with a Single Dial String

Dialing Conventions for SIP Endpoints

Starting or Joining Ad Hoc Conferences with SIP Endpoints

Inviting Multiple SIP Endpoints with a Single Dial String

Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a SIP-compliant Endpoint

Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a Separate SIP Domain

Using Dialing Conventions with any IP-based Endpoint

Controlling Conferences with DTMF

Accessing the Conference Control Interface

Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Window

Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Access Levels

Conference List Window

Creating Conferences from the Create Conference Window

Terminating Conferences

Signing Out of the Create Conference Window

Conference Control Interface

Working with the Control Conference Interface

Accessing the Conference Control Interface

Refreshing the Conference Control Interface

Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Interface

Controlling Conference Settings

Taking and Releasing Chair Control

Creating Conferences from the Conference Control Interface

Inviting an Operator to a Conference

Configuring T.120 Data Collaboration

Configuring Participant Settings

Muting and Unmuting Participant Audio Connections

Changing the Volume

Changing Participant Views

Configuring Sub-Conferences

Blocking the Video Stream

Changing a Participant Name

Changing Video Quality Classification

Enabling or Disabling Dynamic Layouts

Displaying Participant Names in Frames

Enabling or Disabling Auto-Switch Mode

Changing Conference Layouts

Configuring Outgoing Bandwidth Settings

Viewing Conference Statistics

Using Quick Invites to Invite Conference Participants

Inviting Participants Using Advanced Settings

Reconnecting Participants

Blocking Conference Admission

Deleting Conference Participants

Cascading Conferences

Inviting Participants to a Cascaded Conference

Viewing Participants in a Cascaded Conference

Terminating Conferences

Signing Out of a Conference

Using the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU

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This section describes the following topics:

•About Using the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU

•Making an Ad Hoc Conference Call

•Controlling Conferences with DTMF

•Accessing the Conference Control Interface

•Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Window

•Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Access Levels

•Conference List Window

•Conference Control Interface

•Working with the Control Conference Interface

•Controlling Conference Settings

•Configuring Participant Settings

•Cascading Conferences

•Terminating Conferences

•Signing Out of a Conference

About Using the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU

You can participate in video conferences hosted on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU from any phone, terminal, or endpoint on any type of network to which the MCU connects. The MCU can accept calls from H.323, Skinny Client Control Protocol (SCCP), and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) endpoints, and with Cisco IPVC video gateway support, from phones and terminals on H.320 and PSTN networks in the same conference.

You can participate in a conference by dialing from a phone, from an endpoint application, or by using the MCU Conference Control interface.

With appropriate access rights, you can also create conferences, invite other participants and conferences, and use an extensive range of conference control features for enhancing the video conferencing experience.

Making an Ad Hoc Conference Call

All users can create or join an ad hoc (also called dial-in) conference simply by dialing the conference number. Users can invite single or multiple participants in the same operation.

Users can initiate multipoint conferences that run unattended and do not require advance configuration. Users simply dial a number and the MCU automatically sets up the conference. Anyone else who dials that number can join the conference at any time, provided that network resources are available. All that the user requires is a suitable service number—that an Administrator supplies—to combine with a unique number for the conference. A common practice is to use the telephone extension number of the conference creator as the unique number.

Related Topics

•Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Dialing Conventions for H.323 Endpoints

•Dialing Conventions for SIP Endpoints

•Using Dialing Conventions with any IP-based Endpoint

Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Dialing Conventions for H.323 Endpoints

This section describes the dialing conventions relating to H.323 endpoints, including the following topics:

•Starting or Joining an Ad Hoc Conference with H.323 Endpoints

•Inviting Multiple H.323 Endpoints with a Single Dial String

Starting or Joining an Ad Hoc Conference with H.323 Endpoints

To start or join an ad hoc conference with H.323 endpoints, you dial in using the conference ID number. The conference ID number is composed of a service prefix number that indicates the conference call type and capabilities and a unique number that identifies the conference:

<Service prefix> + <Unique number>

A conference ID can consist of any combination of the characters 1-9, *, and #. It can be up to 256 characters in length.

For example, you can dial:

601234

where:

•60 is the service prefix.

•1234 is the unique conference number.

As soon as the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU accepts the call, you are connected to the existing conference, or the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU creates a new conference with this conference identifier.

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Note The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU comes with two predefined services for audio and video conferencing. The predefined services are factory tuned to be suitable in most cases for audio and video calls. We recommend starting with these services and modifying them as necessary to suit your needs.

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Inviting Multiple H.323 Endpoints with a Single Dial String

With an H.323 endpoint, you can create or join an ad hoc conference and invite single or multiple participants in the same operation using the invite sign (**). You use the invite sign to separate the called numbers in the dialed string:

<conference ID number> + <**> + <invited participant number>

For example, you can dial:

601234**5678

where:

•601234 is the conference ID number.

•** is the invite sign.

•5678 is the invited participant number.

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Note You can invite multiple participants in one action by using the invite sign to separate each individual participant number. For more information, see Configuring Delimiter Settings, page 3-23

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Dialing Conventions for SIP Endpoints

You can dial to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU from SIP endpoints. You can also invite SIP endpoints to ad hoc conferences on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU when each is registered with a SIP proxy server on the IP network. The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU domain name should be registered on a Domain Name System (DNS) or Microsoft Real Time Communications (RTC) server.

This section includes the following topics:

•Starting or Joining Ad Hoc Conferences with SIP Endpoints

•Inviting Multiple SIP Endpoints with a Single Dial String

•Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a SIP-compliant Endpoint

•Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a Separate SIP Domain

Starting or Joining Ad Hoc Conferences with SIP Endpoints

When starting or joining an ad hoc conference, the dialed string should contain the conference ID number and the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU domain name:

<conference ID number> @ <mcu.domain.com>

For example, you can dial:

601234@mcu.domain name

where:

•601234 is the conference ID number.

•@mcu.domain.com is the name that the DNS server resolves to a unique IP address.

Inviting Multiple SIP Endpoints with a Single Dial String

You can dial from a SIP endpoint and invite an H.323 or SIP endpoint when the inviting SIP endpoint is registered in the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU domain. The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU adds the default domain to the dialed string when a user name is dialed without a domain:

<conference ID number> + <**> + <invited SIP endpoint>

For example, you can dial:

601234**john@mcu.domain.com

where:

•601234 is the conference ID number.

•** is the invite sign.

•john@mcu.domain.com is the invited participant and domain.

Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a SIP-compliant Endpoint

Administrators can configure a Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU as a SIP-complaint endpoint. Users can start or join an ad hoc conference by dialing into this Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU from their SIP endpoint. This procedure assumes that the SIP Proxy responsible for the network is capable of routing calls according to the dialed prefix. Check with your SIP Proxy vendor for compliance.

Procedure

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Step 1 Dial a conference on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU from a SIP endpoint by dialing the conference ID.

Step 2 Add the default domain to the dial string.

For example, dial:

601234@default.domain

where:

–602134 is the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU conference ID (service prefix + unique conference identifier).

–default.domain is the default domain of the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU on which the conference is hosted.

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Dialing into the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Configured as a Separate SIP Domain

Administrators can configure a Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU as a separate SIP domain. Users can start or join an ad hoc conference by dialing into this Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU from a SIP-complaint endpoint.

Procedure

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Step 1 Dial the conference ID.

Step 2 Add the unique Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU domain as defined in the proxy or Domain Name Server (DNS) server to the dial string.

For example, dial:

conference.id@mcu.domain.com

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Using Dialing Conventions with any IP-based Endpoint

You can start or join an ad hoc conference from any IP-based endpoint. When dialing from an IP endpoint, configure the dialing software, IP phone, or other device with the appropriate network configuration details (H.323 gatekeeper IP address or SIP proxy IP).

Procedure

To start or join a conference with an IP endpoint, choose one of the following steps:

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Step 1 To start or join a conference, dial the conference ID number.

For example, dial 601234.

As soon as the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU accepts the call, you connect to the existing conference or the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU creates a new conference with this conference identifier.

-or-

Step 2 To start or join a conference and invite a participant, dial the conference ID number followed by the invite sign (**) and the number of the participant you want to invite.

For example, dial 601234**5678

As soon as the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU accepts the call, you connect to the existing conference or the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU creates a new conference with this conference identifier.

-or-

Step 3 To start or join a conference and invite a participant on the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or cell phone network, dial the conference ID number followed by the invite sign (**), the appropriate gateway service prefix, and the ISDN line number.

For example, dial 601234**867655001 (<Conference ID number> + <**> + <Gateway service prefix + line number>).

As soon as the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU accepts the call, you are connected to the existing conference or a new conference is created with this conference identifier.

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Controlling Conferences with DTMF

You can control a Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU conference using Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals from your endpoint remote control or key pad.

Depending on how you set the DTMF forwarding advanced command, the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU passes out-of-band DTMF signals to all endpoints in the conference, to gateways only or does not pass DTMF signals.

The gateway inserts in-band signals on receiving the DTMF from the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU. The audio bridge receives these in-band signals and responds accordingly.

Table 4-1 shows available DTMF control signals.

Table 4-1 DTMF Controls 

During a conference press * followed by:
*	Listen to available options.
1	Take/release Chair Control.
2	Mute/unmute your line.
3	Control your volume.
7	Block/unblock admission to conference (for Chair Control-level users only).
8	Invite a new participant (for Chair Control-level users only).
#	Exit this menu.

Accessing the Conference Control Interface

All users can access the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 Launch your browser and enter the IP address of the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU.

The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU access window appears.

Step 2 Perform one of the following actions:

–To monitor a conference, follow these steps:

•In the Conference ID field, enter the number of the conference you want to monitor.

•In the Password field, enter the PIN for the conference you want to monitor.

•Click Go.

–To create a new conference, click the Create conference button.

–To sign in with Operator or Administrator authorization click the Sign in button.

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Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Window

You can view online help about the Create Conference window.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Create Conference window.

Step 2 On the control bar, click Help.

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Related Topics

•Conference Control Interface

Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Access Levels

There are four ways to interact with the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU user interfaces according to the following access levels:

•Administrator

•Operator

•Chair Control

•User

Table 4-2 describes each access level.

Table 4-2 MCU Access Levels 

Access Level	Privileges
Administrator	•Full access to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Administrator interface. •Full Operator-level access to the Conference Control interface.
Operator	•Access to the Conference Control interface using the Create Conference window. •Access to view details of all conferences hosted on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU and to cascaded conferences hosted on participating Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs. •Ability to create a new conference from the Conference Control access window, the Create Conference window, or the Conference Control interface. •Chair Control-level access to all conferences while chair control is simultaneously held by other users. •Ability to invite other participants to a conference.
Chair Control	•Access to view conference details of conferences hosted on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU and to cascaded conferences hosted on participating Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs for which access authorization is granted. •Chair Control level-access to conferences when the user has a valid Chair Control PIN or the conference chair is not held by another user. •Ability to invite other participants to a conference.
User	•View-only access to conferences hosted on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU for which authorization is granted. •Ability to invite other participants to a conference.

Conference List Window

All users can access the Conference List window where they can join an existing conference or create a new conference. Administrator or Operator-level users can use the Conference List window to select conferences to monitor and control from the list of conferences currently running, or create a new conference.

The number of currently-running conferences appears in the Number of Conferences field. The Conference List window displays information about each conference in a table format with the following columns:

•Conference ID—Conference ID number. Each ID number is a hyperlink that you can select to display the Conference Control interface for that conference.

•Description—Description of the conference entered by the user who created it.

•Participants—The number of participants currently attending the conference.

•Media Types—Icons indicate the type of media supported by the conference: voice, video and data.

•Encryption—Indicates the level of encryption currently in use for the conference: best effort, encryption required, or strong encryption required.

•Actions—Indicates the actions that can be taken.

Creating Conferences from the Create Conference Window

Users with Chair Control-level access or Administrators can create a conference using available predefined services in the Create Conference window. Such users can also optionally set a PIN for accessing the new conference and a PIN for obtaining Chair Control of the new conference.

Figure 4-1 and Table 4-3 list the elements in the Create Conference window.

Figure 4-1 Create Conference Window Elements

Table 4-3 Create Conference Window Elements 

Number	Description
1	Sign out button
2	Help button
3	Cancel button
4	Advanced button
5	Create button

Before You Begin

Have an Administrator configure Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU services if there are not already existing ones.

Procedure

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Step 1 Launch your browser and enter the IP address of the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU.

The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU access window appears.

Step 2 Click Create conference.

The Create Conference window appears, displaying available pre-configured service prefixes and their descriptions.

Step 3 Choose a service prefix from the list of pre-configured ones.

The prefix appears in the Prefix field.

Step 4 In the Unique Number field, enter a number for this conference.

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Note You cannot use an existing conference number.

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Step 5 (Optional) In the Conference Password field, enter a PIN used for accessing the conference.

Step 6 (Optional) In the Chair Password field, enter a PIN used for obtaining Chair Control in the new conference.

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Note You can also configure a default Chair Control PIN for a service profile in the Administrator interface.

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Step 7 (Optional) In the Conference Description field, you can enter text describing the conference that appears in the Create Conference window.

Step 8 (Optional) You can configure additional settings for a new conference such as conference duration, time-out, and dialing policy settings:

–Click the Advanced button.

The Advanced Features dialog box appears.

–(Optional) In the Conference Duration section, click the Unlimited radio button or click the Min radio button and set time limitation (in minutes) for the conference.

–(Optional) Select the Terminate Conference when empty check box to end a conference after it is vacant for the number of minutes you enter in the field in this setting.

–(Optional) Select the Disallow dial-in to the conference check box to prevent participants dialing in to the conference. Attendance is thus by invitation only. This ensures that users dialing the wrong number do not join this conference by mistake.

–Click OK.

Step 9 Click Create.

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Note If an error message appears, stating that no resources are available, check whether the MCU or the appropriate EMP is registered or online in the Media Processing tab in the Administrator interface.

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Terminating Conferences

You can disconnect an inactive or unused conference in the Create Conference window.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Create Conference window.

Step 2 Click the Terminate Conference button (5 in Figure 4-2) next to the conference name to end the conference.

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Signing Out of the Create Conference Window

You can exit the Create Conference window by clicking the Sign out button.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Create Conference window.

Step 2 On the control bar, click Sign out.

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Conference Control Interface

From the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Conference Control interface, you can:

•View active conferences hosted on the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU or on cascaded Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs.

•View conference participant details.

•Create conferences.

•Control conference connections.

•Monitor and manage conference behavior.

While all users can view the Conference Control interface, access to conference management features is controlled by authorization access levels: Administrator, Operator, Chair Control and User.

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Note The Conference Control interface is best viewed in full screen mode (1024 x 768 fps).

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Note You can view multiple Conference Control interface browser windows at the same time to monitor different conferences. We recommend, however, that you close windows you are not currently viewing to avoid confusion and carrying out operations in the wrong conference.

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Figure 4-2 shows the elements of the Conference Control interface. Table 4-4 lists these elements in numerical order of the labels in Figure 4-2. Table 4-5 lists these elements in alphabetical order of name.

Figure 4-2 Conference Control Interface Elements

Table 4-4 Conference Control Interface Elements by Number 

Numbered Label in Figure 4-2	Description
1	Participants field. Displays number of participants in the current conference.
2	Create Conference button.
3	View Conference List button. Click to view the Create Conference window. See the "Conference List Window" section for more information.
4	Mute/Unmute button.
5	Terminate Conference button.
6	Reserved/Max field. Displays the reserved number of participants and maximum number of participants for this conference.
7	Conference Admission button.
8	Participant List tab.
9	Sub-conference button. Click to view the Select sub-conference dialog box. See the "Configuring Sub-Conferences" section for more information.
10	Media type icon indicating that this conference supports voice. An error symbol appears if a media processing error occurs in the MCU.
11	Media type icon indicating that this conference supports video. An error symbol appears if a media processing error occurs in the MCU.
12	Statistics tab.
13	Encryption field. Displays the level of encryption for this conference: best effort, encryption required or strong encryption required.
14	Customize Views button.
15	Rate(Kbps) field.
16	Location in View column. Indicates the conference view displayed to the participants.
17	Audio Out column. Displays Audio Out icons that indicate whether the conference audio connection to the participants are enabled or muted.
18	Invite button.
19	Advanced Invitation tab.
20	Bandwidth field. Displays the bandwidth the current conference is using.
21	Encryption column. Displays the level of encryption that the endpoints require: best effort, encryption required, or strong encryption required.
22	Join data conference (Data Sharing) button.
23	Layout display frame.
24	Operator button.
25	Advanced button.
26	Conference View section.
27	Speaker field. Displays the participant currently speaking in the conference.
28	Dynamic Layout button.
29	Display participants name in frame button. Click to display the name of endpoints or participants in specific positions of the video layout frame.
30	Auto-switch button.
31	Voice activated frame button.
32	Take Control/Release Control button.
33	Help button.
34	Sign out button.
35	Change Layout button.
36	Video Image column. Displays video image icons that indicate whether the video stream from the participant to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU is enabled or blocked. If the video image icon has a star, then QualiVision is enabled for the video stream from the participant to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU.
37	Video Display column. Displays video display icons that indicate whether the conference video display sent to the participants is enabled or blocked. If the video display icon has a star, then QualiVision is enabled for the video stream from the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU to the participant.
38	Audio In column. Displays Mute icons for participants whose audio is not muted and Unmute icons for participants whose audio is muted.
39	Number column. Displays the endpoint numbers of the conference participants.
40	Actions pop-up
41	Delete Participant button.
42	Change Participant View button.
43	Name column. Displays the names of the endpoint.
44	Participant connection status icons: Connected, Disconnecting or Disconnected.

Table 4-5 Conference Control Interface Elements by Name 

Description	Numbered Label in Figure 4-2
Actions pop-up.	40
Advanced button.	25
Advanced Invitation tab.	19
Audio In column. Displays Mute icons for participants whose audio is not muted and Unmute icons for participants whose audio is muted.	38
Audio Out column. Displays Audio Out icons that indicate whether the conference audio connection to the participants are enabled or muted.	17
Auto-switch button.	30
Bandwidth field. Displays the bandwidth the current conference is using.	20
Change Layout button.	35
Change Participant View button.	42
Conference Admission button.	7
Conference View section.	26
Create Conference button.	2
Customize Views button.	14
Delete Participant button.	41
Display participants name in frame button. Click to display the name of endpoints or participants in specific positions of the video layout frame.	29
Dynamic Layout button.	28
Encryption column. Displays the level of encryption that the endpoints require: best effort, encryption required or strong encryption required.	21
Encryption field. Displays the level of encryption for this conference: best effort, encryption required or strong encryption required.	13
Help button.	33
Invite button.	18
Join data conference (Data Sharing) button.	22
Layout display frame.	23
Location in View column. Indicates the conference view displayed to the participants.	16
Media type icon indicating that this conference supports video.	11
Media type icon indicating that this conference supports voice.	10
Mute/Unmute button.	4
Name column. Displays the names of the endpoint.	43
Number column. Displays the endpoint numbers of the conference participants.	39
Operator button.	24
Participant connection status icons: Connected, Disconnecting or Disconnected.	44
Participant List tab.	8
Participants field. Displays number of participants in the current conference.	1
Rate(Kbps) field.	15
Reserved/Max field. Displays the reserved number of participants and maximum number of participants for this conference.	6
Sign out button.	34
Speaker field. Displays the participant currently speaking in the conference.	27
Statistics tab.	12
Sub-conference button. Click to view the Select sub-conference dialog box. See the "Configuring Sub-Conferences" section for more information.	9
Take Control/Release Control button.	32
Terminate Conference button.	5
Video Display column. Displays Video Display icons that indicate whether the conference video display sent to the participants is enabled or blocked. If the Video Display icon has a star, then QualiVision is enabled for the video stream from the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU to the participant.	37
Video Image column. Displays Video Image icons that indicate whether the video stream from the participant to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU is enabled or blocked. If the Video Image icon has a star, then QualiVision is enabled for the video stream from the participant to the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU.	36
View Conference List button. Click to view the Create Conference window. See the "Conference List Window" section for more information.	3
Voice activated frame button.	31

Working with the Control Conference Interface

The following sections describe the tasks that users with appropriate access levels can perform in the Conference Control interface:

•Accessing the Conference Control Interface

•Refreshing the Conference Control Interface

•Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Interface

•Controlling Conference Settings

•Creating Conferences from the Conference Control Interface

•Inviting an Operator to a Conference

•Configuring T.120 Data Collaboration

Accessing the Conference Control Interface

You can access the Conference Control interface from any Java-enabled web browser.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU interface.

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Note The Conference Control interface is best viewed in full screen mode (1024 x 768 fps).

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Step 2 Click Enter a conference.

The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU Conference Control access window appears.

Step 3 Choose one of the following two methods.

–To access an existing conference:

•In the Conference ID field, enter the conference ID.

•In the Password field, enter the PIN, if applicable.

•Click Go.

-or-

–To create a new conference:

•Click the Create Conference button (button 2 in Figure 4-2).

•The Create Conference window appears.

•Choose a service prefix from the list of pre-configured services.

•In the Unique Number field, enter a unique number for the conference.

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Note You cannot use a number already in use by another conference.

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•Click Create.

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Refreshing the Conference Control Interface

By default, the Conference Control interface refreshes itself every 10 seconds to provide updated information. To refresh information instantly, click the tab in the interface that you are viewing. You can configure the refresh interval by using the Conference control Web refresh interval advanced command. For more information, see the "Sending Advanced Commands" section on page 3-24.

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Note Do not click the Refresh button in your web browser. This exits the Conference Control interface and returns you to the access window.

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For Microsoft Windows systems, if you have enabled the Start Navigation sound, and a continuous clicking sound is heard when the Conference Control interface automatically refreshes, disable this setting in the Sounds and Multimedia section of the Control Panel.

Viewing Online Help from the Conference Control Interface

You can view help information for a selected tab in the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference Control interface, click the tab you want to view help information for:

–Participant List (tab 8 in Figure 4-2)

–Statistics (tab 12 in Figure 4-2)

–Advanced Invitation (tab 19 in Figure 4-2).

Step 2 Click Help (button 33 in Figure 4-2).

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Controlling Conference Settings

With Chair Control-level access, for conferences already in progress, you can control conference activity and initiate events such as inviting participants. When you obtain Chair Control, you can edit participant connections, create new conferences, and audio sub-conferences, and change video layout and the position of participant images. You can block conference admission, block audio and video streams, and terminate the conference. You can split the existing conference and transfer some participants to the new conference. Chair Control-level access also provides additional viewing and configuration options in the Conference Control interface.

The following sections describe the tasks that users with appropriate access levels can perform to control conference activities in the Conference Control interface:

•Taking and Releasing Chair Control

•Creating Conferences from the Conference Control Interface

•Inviting an Operator to a Conference

•Configuring T.120 Data Collaboration

Taking and Releasing Chair Control

Chair Control access can be PIN-protected. Administrators and Operators can jointly hold Chair Control simultaneously.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference Control interface, click Take Control (button 32 in Figure 4-2) to take control of that conference.

Step 2 A dialog box requesting a PIN might appear if chair control access is PIN-protected. Enter the PIN.

Step 3 To release control of the conference, click the Release Control button (button 32 in Figure 4-2).

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Creating Conferences from the Conference Control Interface

Chair Controls, Operators, and Administrators can create a new conference from the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference Control interface, click Create Conference (button 2 in Figure 4-2).

Step 2 The Create Conference window appears.

Step 3 Follow the steps in the "Creating Conferences from the Create Conference Window" section.

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Inviting an Operator to a Conference

Users with Chair Control-level access can invite an Operator to join a conference to answer questions and provide support. An Administrator pre-configures the Operator number.

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Note If an Operator is not pre-configured by an Administrator, the call to the Operator does not connect.

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Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference Control interface.

Step 2 Click Operator (button 24 in Figure 4-2).

The Operator appears in the Participant List.

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Configuring T.120 Data Collaboration

From the Conference Control interface, users with Chair Control-level access can open a T.120 data sharing session in Microsoft NetMeeting or join a session if one already exists for the conference. T.120 data collaboration over the video conference connection enhances the conference by providing data-sharing tools. Participants in a T.120 data collaboration video conference can simultaneously view diagrams, graphic presentations, and slide lectures. In addition, private text chats, white board exchanges, or rapid file transfers can occur while the video conference proceeds.

Users with Chair Control-level access can set up a T.120 data conference in the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference Control interface.

Step 2 Click the Join Data Conference button (button 22 in Figure 4-2).

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Configuring Participant Settings

The Participant List tab in the Conference Control interface contains the following sections:

•Participant List section, which displays information about conference participants. Users with Chair Control-level access can view and edit media connections for each participant. Table 4-6 describes the information that appears in the Participants List section.

•Conference Views section, which displays information about the conference layout and view.

Table 4-6 lists the elements that appear in the Participants List section. The number after each element refers to the corresponding label in Figure 4-2.

Table 4-6 Participants List Section Columns 

Numbered Label in Figure 4-2	Column	Description
44	Status	Displays status icons for the connection status of each conference participant. Disconnected participants remain in the Participant List for the duration of the conference, enabling you to reconnect participants without sending repeat invitations. You can rearrange the list of participants in the Participant List by clicking the icon in the title of this column.
43	Name	The name of the conference participant. This column can include: •The dial out icon to indicate that the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU invited the specified participant. •The current speaker indication icon that indicates that the specified participant is currently the active speaker. •Video quality warning icons—medium or poor video quality—that indicate the current quality of the IP network video connection for the participant.
39	Number	The participant's endpoint number.
42	Change Participant View	Button that appears when the conference supports multiple views. You can click this button to change the conference view layout for the participant.
16	Location in View	Indicates the conference view that appears to the participant. When the conference is configured with more than one view, you can choose available views from a list.
38	Audio In	Indicates whether the voice of the selected participant is muted or enabled.
17	Audio Out	Indicates whether the conference audio connection is muted or enabled.
36	Video Image	Indicates whether the video stream that the participant is sending is blocked or unblocked.
37	Video Display	Indicates whether the conference video display sent to the participant is blocked or unblocked. If the icon contains a star, then QualiVision is enabled for the video stream from the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU to the participant.
22	Data Sharing	Indicates that the participant supports T.120 data sharing.

The following sections describe the task that users with appropriate access level can perform in the Participant List tab:

•Muting and Unmuting Participant Audio Connections

•Changing the Volume

•Changing Participant Views

•Configuring Sub-Conferences

•Blocking the Video Stream

•Changing a Participant Name

•Changing Video Quality Classification

•Enabling or Disabling Dynamic Layouts

•Displaying Participant Names in Frames

•Enabling or Disabling Auto-Switch Mode

•Changing Conference Layouts

•Configuring Outgoing Bandwidth Settings

•Viewing Conference Statistics

•Using Quick Invites to Invite Conference Participants

•Inviting Participants Using Advanced Settings

•Reconnecting Participants

•Blocking Conference Admission

•Deleting Conference Participants

Muting and Unmuting Participant Audio Connections

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can mute or enable the audio connection to the conference of all participants in the conference.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference Control interface.

Step 2 On the control bar, click Mute (button 4 in Figure 4-2) to mute all participants or Unmute (4) to enable the audio connection for all participants.

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Users with Chair Control-level access can also mute or enable the audio connection of an individual participant in a conference.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participants List section, select a participant.

Step 2 Right click and select Mute mic from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2).

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Changing the Volume

In the Conference Control interface, users with Chair Control-level access can control the volume of participating endpoints (manual gain control) in a conference. For a regular conference, your setting only affects the location that is connected to a specific Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU port. In a cascaded conference, changing this setting affects all remote participants on other Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs. Once you change this setting, the new setting remains in effect until that endpoint leaves the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab, select the participant whose volume you want to change.

Step 2 Right click and select Change volume from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2).

Step 3 The gain control scroll bar dialog box appears, with a gain span of -5 to +5.

Step 4 Drag the scroll bar to the right to increase the gain; drag the slide bar to the left to decrease the gain.

Step 5 Close the gain control slide bar dialog box.

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Changing Participant Views

In the Participant List tab, if a conference supports multiple views, users with Chair Control-level access can change the conference view layout for an individual conference participant or all conference participants while the conference is in progress.

Procedure

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Step 1 If you wish to change the conference view for specific conference participants only, select those participant(s) in the Participant List table.

Step 2 Click Change Participants View (button 4 in Figure 4-2).

The Change Participants View dialog box displays.

Step 3 Select Selected Participants to change the conference view layout for the conference participants you selected in 1,

-or-

Select All to change the conference view layout for all conference participants.

Step 4 Click OK.

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Configuring Sub-Conferences

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can create a sub-conference within a conference. The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU supports audio sub-conferences to which the Chair Control can divert selected participants in the existing conference to a private audio sub-conference session. The connection to the main conference remains active.

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Note The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU can support up to three sub-conferences per conference according to the service configuration.

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The Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU hides sub-conference session participants from the other participants in the video layout. They can return to the conference at any time and reoccupy any previously held positions in the main conference video display. While in a sub-conference, participants can continue viewing and hearing the main conference.

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Note This option is available only when a conference is configured to support sub-conferences

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Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab, select the required participant.

Step 2 Right click and select Move to sub-conference from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2).

The Select sub-conference dialog box appears.

Step 3 From the list, select the required sub-conference.

Step 4 Click Ok.

A new Sub-conf column appears in the Participant List with a list of all available sub-conferences for that participant.

Step 5 In the Sub-conf column, select a sub-conference for that participant.

Step 6 To return the participant to the main conference, in the Sub-conf list, select Main.

When all participants return to the main conference and none remain in the sub-conference, the Sub-conf column disappears from the Participant List.

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Blocking the Video Stream

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can block the video stream sent by a participant to a conference. For example, a participant video connection might affect conference processing and degrade performance. You can block the participant's video until problems at the participant's endpoint are resolved.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab, select the participant that you want to block.

Step 2 Right click and select Block camera from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2)

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Click Video Image (icon 36 in Figure 4-2).

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Changing a Participant Name

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can change the name of conference participants.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab, select the participant whose name you want to change.

Step 2 Right click and select Change Name from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2).

The Change Name dialog box appears.

Step 3 In the Change name field, type the new name.

Step 4 Click OK.

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Changing Video Quality Classification

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can change the video quality classification associated with a conference participant.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab, select the required participant.

Step 2 Right click and select Change classification from the pop-up see pop-up (40 in Figure 4-2).

The Video Quality Classification dialog box appears.

Step 3 In the Change to class field, select the new video quality classification.

Step 4 Click OK.

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Enabling or Disabling Dynamic Layouts

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can enable or disable dynamic layouts for a conference. A dynamic layout seamlessly switches the conference video image between a wide range of layouts to correspond with the number of participants in attendance at any given time during the conference. The video image switches to a layout with frames equal to the number of participant images, to a maximum of 16. The layout changes accordingly as participants join or leave a conference.

A dynamic layout conserves bandwidth, eliminates the display of empty frames in the video image, and makes optimum use of the video image for displaying participant images. This type of layout switching is suitable for a conference with a high rate of participant traffic joining and leaving the conference or an adaptive service used for a variety of conference sizes.

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Note This feature is available with EMP support.

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Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference View section of the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Click the Dynamic Layout button (button 28 in Figure 4-2) to enable (if not selected) or disable (if already selected) dynamic layout for this conference.

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Displaying Participant Names in Frames

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can choose to display the name of endpoints or participants in specific positions of the video layout frame.

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Note This feature is visible only with EMP support and when you configure text overlay in the service.

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Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference View section of the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Click the Display participant names in frame button (button 29 in Figure 4-2).

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Enabling or Disabling Auto-Switch Mode

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can enable the auto-switch mode for a conference. The auto-switch mode displays all the participants of a large conference in Continuous Presence (CP) mode display in the video layout on a rotating basis. Participant images can be replaced at preset intervals.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Conference View section of the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Click Auto-switch (button 31 in Figure 4-2) to enable (if not already selected) or disable (if already selected) auto-switch mode.

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Changing Conference Layouts

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can change the layout for the current conference.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference View section of the Participant List tab, click Change (button 37 in Figure 4-2).

A pop-up appears, displaying a list of currently available layouts for the current conference.

Step 2 Click the layout of your choice.

The conference adjusts to the new selection.

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Configuring Outgoing Bandwidth Settings

Users with Chair Control-level access can also configure the bandwidth rate at which they invite other participants to the conference.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participant List tab

–Type the name of the participant being invited in the Invite field.

–Select the required bandwidth in the Rate(Kbps) field (field 15 in Figure 4-2).

–Click the Invite button (button 18 in Figure 4-2).

-or-

Step 2 In the Advanced Invitation tab,

–Type the name of the participant being invited in the Invite field.

–Select the required bandwidth in the Kbps field.

–Click the Invite button.

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Viewing Conference Statistics

Users with Chair Control-level access, can view a comprehensive set of statistical information. Statistics frequently update automatically and enable you to monitor conference performance.

Table 4-7 lists the statistics displayed.

Table 4-7 Conference Statistics 

Group	Field	Description
Endpoint Information	Type	Participant endpoint type.
	IP address	Participant endpoint IP address.
	Description	Participant description (displays the endpoint vendor identifier, if available).
	Connect time	Time at which the participant connected to the conference.
Basic Call Information
Audio	Audio Codec	Audio codecs sent to and received by the participant.
	Audio rate	Total audio bandwidth sent and received by the participant.
	Audio Packets loss count	Total lost audio packets sent to and received by the participant.
	Audio Jitter (curr/min/max)	Accumulated audio packets sent to and received from the participant. Includes the current value and average values for the minimum and maximum number of packets sent to and received from the participant.
Video	Video codec	Video codecs sent to and received by the participant.
	Video resolution	Picture size of video sent and received by the participant.
	Video frame rate	Frame rate of video sent to and received by the participant.
	Video rate	Total video bandwidth sent and received by the participant.
	Video packets loss count	Total lost video packets sent to and received by the participant.
	Video jitter (curr/min/max)	Accumulated video packets sent to and received from the participant. Includes the current value and average values for the minimum and maximum number of packets sent to and received from the participant.
	2nd video codec	The second video codec sent to and received by the participant (if used).
Data	Data protocol	Indicates whether the protocol used if the participant is participating in data sharing.
Advanced Call Information
Audio	Audio out of order packets count	Total audio packets sent to and received from the participant out of sequence.
	Audio packets count	Total audio packets sent and received by the participant.
	Audio bytes count	Total audio bytes sent and received by the participant.
	Audio IP address	IP address and port to which audio is sent to the participant.
Video	Video out of order packets count	Total video packets sent to and received from the participant out of sequence.
	Video fast update requests count	Total Video Fast Update (VFU) requests sent and received by the participant.
	Video packets count	Total video packets sent and received by the participant.
	Video bytes count	Total video packets sent and received by the participant.
	Video IP address	IP address and port to which video is sent to the participant.
	Qualivision state	Encryption level used.
Data	Data IP address (Local/Remote)	IP address of the participant data sharing terminal.
	FECC	Indicates whether Far End Camera Control is in use.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participants List section, select a participant.

Step 2 Right click and select View participant info (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2)

-or-

Step 3 Click the information icon in the Participants List section for the selected participant.

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Using Quick Invites to Invite Conference Participants

In the Participant List tab of the Conference Control interface, all users can use the quick invite feature to send an invitation to participate in a conference.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Invite # field, enter the participant number you want to invite. You can invite multiple participants by separating them with the invite sign (**).

Step 2 (Optional) You can select a bandwidth rate lower than the current conference rate at which the invited participant joins the conference. You can thus invite individual participants with lower connection capabilities. In the Rate(kbps) field, choose a new bandwidth rate.

Step 3 Click Invite (button 18 in Figure 4-2).

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Related Topics

•Inviting Participants Using Advanced Settings

Inviting Participants Using Advanced Settings

All users can invite multiple participants into a conference at the same time in the Advanced Invitation tab of the Conference Control interface. As each invite field can accommodate multiple participant numbers with separators, you can use this tab to invite a large number of participants at the same time. All users can also select a lower bandwidth rate with which to connect individual participants.

In the Advanced Invitation tab, all users can also drag and drop participant images into preferred positions in the layout of each conference view that the conference supports. All users can also set the layout which invited participants see when joining a conference.

In a cascaded conference, all users can choose which Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU actually invites the participant.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference Control interface, click the Advanced Invitation tab (tab 19 in Figure 4-2).

Step 2 In the first Invite # field, enter the participant contact numbers. You can enter multiple numbers separated by the invite sign (**).

Step 3 In the Display Name field, enter the name you want to appear when the participant enters the conference.

Step 4 In the Kbps field, choose the bit rate that the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU uses when inviting a participant to a conference. Choose default for optimal bit rate performance.

Step 5 In the MCU field, choose a cascaded Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU conference to which invited participants connect.

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Note This step is only for cascaded conferences.

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Step 6 (Optional) To configure advanced features, follow these additional steps;

Additional control features appear in the Advanced Invitation tab (tab 19 in Figure 4-2).

–In the Participant Layout area click Change (button 37 in Figure 4-2).

A dialog box appears displaying a list of the current layouts available in the current conference.

–Drag and drop the Voice activated frame button (button 31 in Figure 4-2) into the preferred position in the Layout display frame that appears in the Conference View section.

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Note You can set a position for the participant image in all layouts that the conference currently supports.

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–At the end of each participant row, choose from the list the number of the conference video layout you want to display to the participant upon entry into the conference. Choose L to display the local view of a slave conference.

A slave conference on an EMP-enabled Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU has two views:

•The local (slave Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU conference) CP view

•The view that the master Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU broadcasts.

An Operator of the slave conference should be able to switch the view for each participant in the slave conference so that the participant can see the view broadcasted by the master or the local view. This feature is useful in large cascaded conferences where each site has a local operator. Most participants at the local site see the view broadcasted by the master Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU, but the local operator can see the local view of local participants.

You can enable a local view of a slave conference in the Edit View dialog box.

Step 7 Repeat step 1 to step 6 for each Invite # field until you configure all required the participant invites.

Step 8 Click Invite (button 18 in Figure 4-2) to send the invitations.

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Related Topics

•Using Quick Invites to Invite Conference Participants

Reconnecting Participants

If participants are disconnected from a conference, users with Chair Control-level access can reconnect them in the Participant List tab.

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Note When the Enable auto-reconnect option is configured in the conference service, then the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU automatically calls disconnected terminals to attempt a reconnection.

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Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Click the Disconnect button (button 44 in Figure 4-2) icon to attempt a reconnection.

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Blocking Conference Admission

Users with Chair Control-level access can block the admission of additional participants in a conference in the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the control bar.

Step 2 Click Conference Admission (button 7 in Figure 4-2).

No further participants can join the conference. To readmit participants, click Conference Admission again.

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Deleting Conference Participants

In the Participant List tab, users with Chair Control-level access can remove participants from conferences.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Participants List section, click the participant you want to remove.

Step 2 On the control bar, click Delete Participant (41 in Figure 4-2).

-or-

Step 3 In the Participants List section, select a participant.

Step 4 Right click and select View participant info from the pop-up (pop-up 40 in Figure 4-2).

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Cascading Conferences

Users with Chair Control-level access can increase Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU call capacity by cascading Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs. This option supports the bridging of several separate conferences to create very large conferences through IP connections (H.323 and SIP) and also through ISDN/PSTN connections (H.320) when operating in conjunction with a gateway.

In the Conference Control interface, cascading a conference works the same way as inviting a single participant into an existing conference. Once you create a cascaded conference, you can use the Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU to set the conference to which invited participants are connected, providing precision control of resources. In a cascaded conference, you can view participants in a tree view that displays each participant according to the conference to which each is connected.

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Note If a failure occurs in a cascaded conference, local Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU users can see this status in the Create Conference window or Conference Control interface. This status, however, only appears if it was the local EMP or MCU that was lost. If the EMP of a slave Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU is lost, then the user of the master Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU can view which participants are without audio/video in the Participant List tab. If the EMP of the master Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU is lost, then slave Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCUs do not receive any indication that there has been a failure.

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Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Invite another conference on the host Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU or on another Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU by typing the number in the Invite # field and clicking Dial.

The invited conference and connected participants appear in the host conference participant list in the Participant List tab.

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Inviting Participants to a Cascaded Conference

All users can invite participants to a cascaded conference in the Advanced Invitation tab of the Conference Control interface.

Procedure

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Step 1 In the Conference Control interface, click the Advanced Invitation tab (tab 19 in Figure 4-2).

Step 2 In the MCU column, choose the conference to which the invited participant connects upon acceptance of the conference invite.

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Viewing Participants in a Cascaded Conference

In the Conference Control interface, you can view participants in a cascaded conference in a hierarchical display in one of the following two ways:

•Normal View—All conference participants appear in a single list. Cascaded participants appear without any indication of the cascaded Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU connection.

•Tree View—Conference participants appear in an expandable tree view showing cascaded Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU connections to the conference. Click the plus sign (+) next to the name of the cascaded Cisco Unified Videoconferencing 3545 MCU to expand the tree showing cascaded conference participant details.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the Participant List tab.

Step 2 Click Normal View to display cascaded conference participants in a single list.

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Terminating Conferences

In the Conference Control interface, users with Chair Control-level access can terminate a conference, which ends that conference and disconnects the participants.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the control bar.

Step 2 Click Terminate Conference (button 5 in Figure 4-2).

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Signing Out of a Conference

When you finish configuring or viewing details of the current conference, you can sign out.

Procedure

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Step 1 Access the control bar.

Step 2 Click Sign out (button 34 in Figure 4-2).

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