Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences

Videoconferencing
Introduction

The IFAS Computer Network (ICON) began the installation of a statewide data communications network in 1981 and joined the Internet in 1986.  In the mid 90s, basic videoconferencing (VC) became a new function with the support of H.323 communications standard and the release of PC based video communications.

In 1995, IFAS Communication Services (ICS) installed and operated an extension Distance Education system utilizing PictureTel and the H.320 communications standard over ISDN telephone lines. At that time, H.320 connectivity was a more mature technology. With the advancement of video transmission over the Internet, the higher costs of ISDN connectivity and ageing equipment that was becoming obsolete by today's standards, a new solution was evaluated and implemented.

In 2004 the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) at the University of Florida merged their statewide data network, videoconference network and  the ISDN dial-up Distance Education video system into a unified IP based data/videoconferencing service.

Videoconferencing and Distance Education Services
has now become a joint effort of IFAS IT and ICS.

The ISDN lines using the H.320 protocol have been eliminated and all videoconference and Distance Education activities now take place across the Internet using the H.323 protocol. Data communications lines have been upgraded to support the higher bandwidth requirements for both data and video. The old PictureTel VC units have been replaced with new Polycom units. New videoconference units continue to be installed throughout the Institute.

This site is provided as the primary resource to help IFAS units with the selection, purchase, setup, installation and operation of the videoconference equipment used within the Institute. Documentation is continually added and updated (each page is dated) as new info is found or created. It is a work in progress.  It currently contains more than 100+ printed pages of general use information and access to more than 6000+ pages of technical documentation.

IFAS VideoConference Notebook
Table of Content