Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Microsoft
NetMeeting

If you are looking for free videoconference software for Windows, NetMeeting is the first choice. It is the de facto entry level videoconferencing software and comes pre-loaded with all Microsoft Windows from 95 to XP. Although it has been around for many years there are certain issues to be considered before deciding to use it as your videoconferencing program.

Unfortunately, NetMeeting is no longer being developed and/or supported by Microsoft. However, it continues to be widely utilized and freely distributed throughout the Internet community. Microsoft still has an available web site and provides the following resources:

• NetMeeting Home Page
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/
   
• NetMeeting resource kit online...
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/NetMeeting/Corp/reskit/default.asp

A Microsoft webcast is available that explains the basic features of NetMeeting. The webcast is accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation that can be downloaded and viewed along with the webcast.

The following table provides a brief development history and the latest versions of NetMeeting that are available for various Windows operating systems.
 

There is no reason not to upgrade to the latest version/build 
for the specific Windows operating system you are using. 

IT IS FREE.

For Windows 2000, build 3385 is the latest, supported version. If a build 3396 upgrade is attempted, the installation process will generate an error message stating 

"This version of NetMeeting cannot be installed on this version of Windows."

There has been an indication in a NetMeeting newsgroup forum that build 3396 can be manually installed by individually moving the specific files to the appropriate location. The general instructions were to "scrub the dllcache directory, and then copy the 3396 files into the NetMeeting directory." The resulting upgrade has not been confirmed as reliable. The author was contacted and confirmed that the upgrade from 3385 to 3396 is unstable and is NOT RECOMMENDED.

The only Microsoft supported update to build 3385 is found with the installation of the Windows 2000 SP3. This SP fixes two problems documented in Knowledge Base articles:

•  Q268755, "Access Violation When Repeatedly Opening and Closing Conferences with NetMeeting SDK" and

•  Q299913, "User Data Sent from NetMeeting 2.x Causes Problems in NetMeeting 3."

For Windows XP, NetMeeting is preinstalled but hidden from view until initialized. This can be done by going to the START menu and choosing RUN. Enter "conf" or "conf.exe" and click "OK" to initialize. As part of the configuration process the program asks if a quickstart and/or desktop shortcut should be created. If the desktop shortcut is not selected the program creates a shortcut in the  a "Start menu / Accessories / Communications " menu.

PC Requirements:

    Internet Explorer 4.01 or better
    ActiveX

NetMeeting Super Enhancer (Version 2.0)

While Microsoft no longer provides upgrades to Netmeeting, there are add-on programs that provide additional features. A free program called NetMeeting Super Enhancer is available for use with Netmeeting version 3.01. It is a small add-in  (18 KB) but provides support for:

• improved control of ILS's

• store multiple user profiles

• ability to change Web directories

Firewalls

To allow various videoconference units to interact, various standards are implemented. The flow of information between videoconference units utilize selected ports. If any of these ports are blocked by  firewalls or network filters, some or all of the functionality can be hindered thus making the service unavailable to the users. While all the ports do not have to be open, those ports providing the selected functionality must allow the free flow of information between the communicating units. The following table lists the ports used for various Netmeeting functions and the protocols used to intercommunicate.

Videoconference Interconnectivity:

While Netmeeting can interact with other Netmeeting units, they can also be used to directly connect with other high-end types of videoconference systems that have better quality video and functionality. The quality of the video connection, however,  is limited by NetMeeting's maximum speed of 128 kbps. If connected systems do not support the lower speed or do not provide transcodeing (support multiple speeds and protocols simultaneously) in a multi-user environment, the overall video experience may be less than optimal, even unsatisfactory or non-functional.

Multipoint Control Unit

Only P2P (point-to-point, i.e., one-to-one) is available for Audio / Video connectivity. If more than two users wish to communicate simultaneously with video, the connection must be made using a Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) conference server. The University provides access to an MCU that is available for campus-wide use. Instructions for the use of the MCU can be obtained from the Video & Collaboration Services web site. NOTE - this may not be a viable option since all preconfigured video conferences that are published on this site have been preset for 384 kbps.

Multipoint Data Calls

The interconnection of three or more Netmeeting systems can take place with direct communications. Multipoint data calls (T.120) can be made without the use of an MCU. This is a very handy feature when you need to work on a remote machine (i.e., tech support) or want to display a PowerPoint presentation or an application to a remote site. If the use of an MCU is desired, the UF campus bridge has one preconfigured conference set up for data-only T.120 communications. This Gatekeeper prefix is number 7899.

Internet Locator Server

An ILS (Internet Locator Server) is a Directory Server. It's function is to provide an organization with a directory of active connections for NetMeeting users. The ILS is an optional component of NetMeeting. The directory helps users locate other participants on the Internet or university intranets for real-time conferencing and collaboration. IFAS supports an ILS server at ils.ifas.ufl.edu .

Network Address:

The network address of your computer and the computer(s) that you will communicate with is important. It provides the unique identifier for your connection location. Your IP address or name, like a phone number, allows anyone connected to the Internet  the ability to find and establish a direct video, voice and/or data connection. 

From the notebook of Thomas Hintz
the AgriGator