Table Of Contents

Introducing the Resource Manager

Resource Manager User Types

Resource Manager Administrator Permissions

Understanding the System Context

Understanding IP Network Topology

Understanding ISDN Network Topology

Managing Network Devices

Cascading For Efficient Conference Scheduling

Introducing the Resource Manager

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The Resource Manager is a web-based application for managing and monitoring visual communications within multi-site organization deployments.

Resource Manager can be deployed on your network to provide scheduling, monitoring, and management of capacity, resources and network devices for video and audio meetings.

•Resource Manager User Types

•IP Devices

Resource Manager User Types

Resource Manager enables you to log in as any one of the following user types

•Organization Administrator

•Meeting Operator

•Meeting Organizer

•Regular User

Resource Manager Administrator Permissions

Each user type has a default set of permissions and a default view of the user interface. The following table outlines the differences between user types.

Table 3-1 Resource Manager User Types and Default Permissions 

Resource Manager Permissions	Organization Administrator	Meeting Operator	Meeting Organizer	Regular User
Manage all resources and users within the organization	x
Monitor all meetings within the organization	x	x
Schedule, modify and delete meetings scheduled by organization administrator or by other organization users	x	x
Check schedules	x	x	x	x
Receive and respond to meeting notices	x	x	x	x
Modify profiles	x	x
Schedule meetings	x		x
Modify and delete self-scheduled meetings			x

Understanding the System Context

The following diagram illustrates the components and elements in the system.

Figure 3-1 IP Devices

Cisco IP devices provide solutions for deploying high quality multipoint video meetings with video processing, audio transcoding and data-collaboration support over switched networks (ISDN) and packet-based networks (IP). Cisco devices are modular and offer scalable solutions which can be deployed in large organizations with distributed environments. All devices provide easy to use and intuitive web-based interfaces for system management and configuration. Cisco devices are fully compatible with third party video network products, endpoints and terminals.

Understanding IP Network Topology

IP network topology is the foundation of intelligent resource allocation. It allows Resource Manager to model the video network by recording distance and bandwidth between device islands—IP locations where central and essential devices (such as gatekeepers, MCUs, and gateways) are placed—and to perform least-cost routing over the IP network. An IP endpoint is also associated with its nearest device island when the endpoint is configured in Resource Manager. This information is used by Resource Manager to determine the best MCU and gateway resources to reserve for any call.

In general, a device island should be created for each location containing network devices, such as an MCU, endpoint or terminal. The Resource Manager monitors the bandwidth limitations and distance between each of the device islands.

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Note IP Network Topology is an advanced feature that is hidden by default. It is enabled in the Resource Manager Configuration Tool.

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Understanding ISDN Network Topology

ISDN network topology intelligently manages ISDN/PSTN network connectivity and cost, gateway numbers, and ISDN terminal numbers that are assigned to ISDN device islands. This allows Resource Manager to perform least-cost routing over the ISDN network.

ISDN/PSTN least-cost routing is also performed based on country codes, area codes of gateway numbers and ISDN terminal numbers belonging to the same ISDN device island. Costly telephone or ISDN line-usage is reduced by selecting the least costly gateway resources.

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Note ISDN Network Topology is an advanced feature that is hidden by default. It is enabled in the Resource Manager Configuration Tool.

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Managing Network Devices

Entering complete information about each device attached to your network ensures that Resource Manager can accurately predict resource availability and schedule meetings accordingly. For information about managing networks with Resource Manager, see the "Network Management" section on page 5-1.

Cascading For Efficient Conference Scheduling

With cascading, Resource Manager can combine meetings hosted on multiple MCUs or EMP cards, resulting in a larger meeting with many more participants than can be supported by a single MCU or EMP card. Cascading can also be used to save network bandwidth by distributing network load over multiple MCUs.

With dynamic cascading, participants can join a meeting on-the-fly (that is, ad-hoc) and if originally scheduled resources are not available, Resource Manager can automatically schedule and assign MCU resources to accommodate the new participants. This means that a large conference can increase to a size greater than that of the conference originally scheduled, providing that sufficient network resources are available.

Cascading, in general, creates a distributed environment that reduces potential drain on network resources. Processing resources required in order to host a meeting are distributed among participating MCUs.