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Communicating with other videoconference (VC) systems on the Internet
requires each unit to have a unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. During the initial configuration, the system
should have been configured to be a Dynamic Host Configuration
Protocol (DHCP) client. This setting dynamically acquires an IP address from the network. Every time the
unit is turned on it will get an available IP address. The IP number
obtained can
be the same as before or different than previously used. While this will
work for establishing a network connection that will enable it to contact a remote
VC unit, a changing IP address does limit the usefulness and
availability to others on the network.
Two types of addresses can be assigned,
private IP or public IP.
Private IP addresses (i.e., 10.x.x.x) have
limited distribution. They are only known and directly accessible to the
local (UF/IFAS) community of users. VC units with a private IP address can
initiate a connection to any worldwide, public IP VC unit. However, it
cannot directly receive a video call request from all Internet users. It is
invisible to the Internet community at-large. It can directly receive
incoming calls only from other members of the same private community of
users (UF/IFAS). VC units can be made indirectly accessible to the worldwide
Internet community by registering with a Gateway. While this makes the unit
accessible, it requires the remote calling unit to configure their
videoconference system to connect to the local gateway before calling your
VC unit. After the call they must disconnect from both your VC unit and the
local Gateway.
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Depending on the type of local network the
videoconference unit is connected to, various private IP addresses are
possible.
| Class A |
from |
10.0.0.0 |
to |
10.255.255.255 |
| Class B |
from |
172.16.0.0 |
to |
172.31.255.255 |
| Class C |
from |
192.168.0.0 |
to |
192.168.255.255 |
Other non-public IP addresses are:
| 127.0.0.0 |
to |
127.255.255.255 |
| 169.254.0.0 |
to |
169.254.255.255 |
| 224.0.0.0 |
to |
239.255.255.255 |
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Public IP addresses (i.e., 128.227.x.x) are
numbers that can be directly contacted by any VC unit on the worldwide
Internet. This is the preferred and recommended method for connectivity
within IFAS. Depending on the type of Internet connection available at
your site, it may or may not be possible to assign a public and fixed IP
address to the VC unit. Sites with a direct campus connection can be
provided this service. DSL connected sites require the upgrade purchase of a
second fixed IP address in addition to the initial connection address. Cable
connected sites currently do not have access to a second, fixed and public
IP address.
To be a part of a worldwide community of users
the
VC unit requires a public and static IP
address
that can be advertised and given to others.
A VC unit with an
assigned IP address will retain the same IP address even if the unit is powered
off and on and reconnects to the network. To do this, the server that
assigns the IP address must be able to identify your VC unit when it
connects to the network. This is done by providing the VC's unique Media
Access Control (MAC) address to the network administrator.
While the VC unit
still uses DHCP to dynamically obtain the IP number, the network can now identify your specific
unit and reassign the (reserved) same IP number as before. This stability allows
others to initiate calls to your known or advertised unit.
If the VC unit is used as a mobile device that is
moved between different buildings (different subnets) it can be registered
on more than one subnet. Normally this is not required or desired because it
reserves more than one public IP address. Usually an IP address is reserved
for only the primary VC location. When the VC unit is temporarily moved to
another site it will just use the locally assigned dynamic IP address
provided by the local DHCP server.
To acquire a static IP address for the system it must be
registered with the network administrator. A form is available for your
convenience.
A request should be made for a
STATIC and PUBLIC IP address.
Before you can fill out the form completely you will need to get the
hardware (MAC) address of the system. The MAC address will allow
the network to recognize the specific system being connected.
The MAC
address for the system is found in various ways depending on the type of
videoconference unit being used:
Polycom VSX model (follow menu):
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System
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System
Information
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MAC Address |
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If "System" button is not shown on main
screen, press the yellow "Help" button on the
remote to make "System" option accessible. |
The MAC address will be found in the form of six 2-character
(octet) groups
using hexadecimal characters (0-7 and A-F). This address (i.e.,
00.E0.DB.04.C1.AB) is assigned by the manufacturer of the network interface card
(NIC) used
in the machine. Record this MAC address,
fill out the registration request form and submit it for processing. The
network administrator will assign a static and public IP address (if
possible) that you can make available
for others who will want to connect to your VC unit.
A list of other IFAS VC sites can be found
at
http://notebook.ifas.ufl.edu/video/IV-Sites.htm.
If you are interested in videoconferencing with other states, a national
directory of Extension Internet (H.323) VC sites is being developed
at Texas A&M. The Video Conference Site Inventory list can be found on the web
at:
http://vcsi.tamu.edu/
Additional VC sites can also be found at the Kansas State
University Video Conferencing Resource Site. It is on the web at:
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/h323/
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