New and Free Videoconferencing Services!
The Commons currently offers video conferencing and related services to any educational or non-profit organization at the cost of $2000 for 300 port hours/yr. This fee does not recover the full cost of the services, and the Commons is supported significantly by its volunteer management team.
Specifically, this provides:
- Scheduled video conferencing
- Ad Hoc video conferencing
- Site coordinator calls to the Commons Network Operations Center (NOC), and escalation support from full-time staff
- Video streaming, at the cost of one additional port
- Video stream archiving, at no additional cost
- Unlimited gatekeeper registrations
The Commons also supports many special events at no cost, such as the Megaconferences, Gigaconferences, Internet2 conferences etc. And open access to the Commons gatekeeper to anyone.
The Commons runs one of the redundant World gatekeepers, both of the redundant North American gatekeepers, both of the redundant Commons gatekeepers, and the historical Free Love gatekeeper. These are integral parts of the Global Dialing Scheme.
Who is Eligible?
Both current and new subscribers to the Internet2 Commons are eligible. You must be affiliated with a education, research or other not-for-profit organizations within the Internet2 member community in order to participate. Other organizations with ties to an Internet2 member institution may be eligible as well. Contact commons-techsupport@internet2.edu for further information about eligibility.
Free Services for the Month of May
ALL Commons services, both current and new (see below), are FREE during the month of May 2008. Everyone is encouraged to try out the Commons services, demonstrate them to your organizations, etc. As always, Commons services can only be requested by a certified site coordinator. Many organizations already have such people, “pending” listings are not eligible until they clear their pending status.
New Trial Commons Services
These services will be offered on a trial basis starting May 1, 2008.
1. Remote MCU Management
Provides remote access to the web interfaces of the MCUs, to site coordinators. This provides trusted and specially-trained site coordinators direct control over their own conferences, to set window layouts, mute participants, etc. Cost is $1000/yr.
2. Live Monitoring of Video Conferences
This service ensures that a NOC staff member is connected to the conference, and paying attention to the video and audio, so they could intervene if needed to help make the conference a success. This is available only during the hours the NOC is operational, unless special arrangements are made well in advance. Cost is $25/hr.
3. Video streaming and archiving, NOT associated with a video conference.
The user sends an H.323 stream to the Commons, and the Commons streams it out. No MCU is used. The cost is 2 port hours per hour of streaming.
How to Apply
Current Commons Subscribers
Click on the videoconference request form that you usually use to schedule a conference. You will not be charged for any conferences you request between 1-31 May 2008.
New Commons Subscribers
Contact commons-techsupport@internet2.edu to request the free service. You will receive additional instructions on how to proceed.
