Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of the H.323 Service

How do I subscribe?

Fill out the application and we'll contact you shortly.

What are the main features of the service?

Advanced booking of videoconferences, spur-of-the moment videoconferences, connection speeds up to and exceeding 768Kbps, Voice-activated or Continuous Presence (grid) video display, 24/7 availability, 24/7 Help Desk support, and Streaming of videoconferences upon request.

Who may subscribe to the Internet2 Commons services?

Any Internet2 university member, corporate member, affiliate member, or organization with direct ties to our membership may subscribe. In the case of SEGP-affiliated organizations, we encourage you to sign up through your regional network aggregator. For information on Internet2 membership, visit members.internet2.edu.

Who may not participate?

Non-Internet2 affiliated organizations may not participate directly in the service but may participate as guests in Internet2 Commons videoconferences which are arranged by participating Internet2 members.

Why do I need a Site Coordinator?

Site coordinators are necessary for each subscriber, in order to: support endpoint users; troubleshoot the network; setup audio and video; administer the GDS zone; troubleshoot firewalls and NATs; and more. Visit these pages for full details on duties and certification and training.

How does each call get billed?

For each call, you will decide either to "host" or to "split" the charges. The scheduling organization picks up "host" charges. The group shares "split" charges. If a non-subscribing guest participates in the call -- for example an international researcher overseas -- then the charges for this participant will be allocated to the host or to the group of subscribers in that call.

Can I try MCU-based videoconferencing before I subscribe?

The Internet2 Commons has a free trial service for you to use on a firstcome, first-served basis. Trial features include: Voice-activated switching with speeds up to 384Kbps. Contact commons-techsupport@internet2.edu for assistance.

What can I expect from the Internet2 Commons in the future?

Support for encryption, H.264, and SIP, and possibly presentation sharing, voice over IP, data sharing, VRVS, and Access Grid support.

How do I find out more?

Contact us at your convenience.