Mobile Ready Your First Step - Call the ITS Service Desk at 919-754-6000 or 1-800-722-3946. You may also open a ticket by emailing the ITS Customer Support Center: its.incidents@its.nc.gov
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Asked Questions 1. Why are we moving from NCIH to NCVIP? • The State of North Carolina initiated the NCIH (H.320) videoconferencing service in 1998 and added the NCVIP (H.323) videoconferencing service in 2002. Community college system video sites migrated from the NCIH to the NCVIP network in 2005. Completion of the migration will consolidate the state video network, eliminate most gateways, and allow all state video sites to enjoy the advantages of using the H.323 Video Over Internet Protocol (IP). 2. What is the difference between NCIH (H.320) and NCVIP (H.323) videoconferencing? • There are many technical differences, but the most significant one is that H.323 allows videoconferencing to take place over IP. Although the protocols are compatible, a gateway is needed to translate signals when an H.320 endpoint connects to an H.323 endpoint. 3. What are the advantages of NCVIP over NCIH? • Video Over IP is now the most common video format worldwide. Terminating the legacy NCIH network will significantly lower ongoing costs to the state and will open up state videoconferencing sites to a constantly expanding global community. 4. Will video quality and network functionality be affected by the migration? • Customers should see little difference in the video quality and service levels they have enjoyed with the NCIH. For a better understanding of all the factors that can affect IP video quality, some of which are not under control of the state network, please consult the Information on the ITS Video Website. Some network functionalities will change, but customers will still use the Orchestra scheduler to schedule their sessions. ITS will continue to provide basic troubleshooting assistance, plus problem identification and resolution for state network resources. 5. What changes in my network and in my room have to take place? • An IP video pathway needs to be established from your videoconferencing equipment to your institution’s portal to the Internet. It will be your institution’s responsibility to create this pathway if it is different from the one you are currently using for the NCIH. For information on this subject, please consult the Guidelines on the ITS Video Website. ITS will provide consultation and assistance for this process and for the configuration changes that will be made in the codec. ITS will also test IP video connectivity to the Multipoint Control Unit (MCU) that sets up multipoint network sessions. ITS certification of the codec will complete the migration and verify that these changes have been made successfully. 6. Can I continue to use my current NCIH circuit for the NCVIP network? • If you intend to use your existing ITS circuit for the IP video pathway, your institution will assume the cost for it once the migration has taken place. The cost for a T1 circuit is site specific and ITS will provide a quote for this amount on request. If an E-Rate discount for the circuit is needed, the application must be submitted at the time of the annual E-Rate process. If you do not need your old NCIH circuit after the migration is complete, it will be canceled. 7. What other connectivity can be used for the migration and who will pay for it? • • Your site may be able to use its existing network bandwidth for the IP video pathway. Consult the Guidelines on the ITS Video Website for a better understanding of network and LAN requirements for video. If no additional bandwidth is needed, there is no extra cost. Remember that if an E-Rate discount for additional connectivity is needed, the application must be submitted at the time of the annual E-Rate process. 8. What is the cost for NCVIP service and who will pay for it? • NCVIP recurring monthly service is $685.00 per month. The Department of Public Instruction will pay for NCVIP service for migrating K12 sites. 9. What does NCVIP service provide? • The main components of NCVIP service are access to the Orchestra scheduler, access to the MCU for multipoint sessions, and 24x7 access to the ITS Customer Support Center. For complete details, please consult the Videoconferencing Service Level Agreement on the ITS Video Website. 10. Will I need new room equipment? If so, what will it cost? • With the potential exception of the VTEL codec (see Question 11 below), existing room equipment used for NCIH videoconferencing should be compatible with the NCVIP network. Several video codecs are available to replace the VTEL and the costs for different models will vary. Since many sites have been active for more than a decade, consideration should be given to upgrading or replacing components such as cameras, monitors, microphones, etc., that have reached the end of their life expectancy. 11. Can I continue to use my VTEL codec on the NCVIP network? • Many NCIH sites still have codecs manufactured by VTEL. The company no longer produces parts or software for the AppsView or Galaxy software product lines. VTEL codecs operating with AppsView software will not support the H.323 protocol and cannot be used in the NCVIP environment. Because all VTEL codecs used on the state network have reached the end of their life expectancy, sites with these units should have in place a plan for the purchase of a new codec. 12. If I need new room equipment, how do I purchase it? • Many NCIH sites have existing service relationships with the private-sector integrators that have traditionally done business with the state network. If you need an integrator for an equipment upgrade, ITS can help you identify companies that do this work. Depending on policies and practices at your institution, the selection of an integrator may be a competitive process and some equipment may have to go out to bid. 13. Is the cost of new room equipment eligible for E-Rate? • The cost of the codec is eligible for an E-Rate discount. This application must also be made at the time of the annual E-Rate process. 14. If I don’t have funding for the migration in my current budget, do I have time to add it to my budget for next year? • The NCVIP migration must take place by October 31, 2008. If funding for this purpose is not available in your current fiscal year budget, there is still time to add it to the fiscal year 2008-2009 budget. However, you should begin now to identify all the costs involved. If you are applying for E-Rate discounts, remember to take into consideration the deadlines, which may be well in advance of the time the migration will take place. 15. How long will the migration take? • The timeline for the migration will vary from site to site. Factors that should be taken into consideration include potential new network resources; availability of institutional personnel; the need to bid, purchase, and install new equipment; the lead time for submitting forms and paperwork; and the time needed to test and certify network connections. 16. When should I schedule my migration? • The migration should not take place during a period of active site usage. For K12 sites, this will usually mean that the migration should be scheduled during an extended vacation period between school terms. 17. Who are the people at my institution who need to be involved in this project? • You will need to involve the IT administrators from your institution and central office in making the technical decisions about the migration. Funding issues may involve other personnel. NCIH sites already have a site contact, to whom ITS will provide scheduling and application training. 18. What do I do to get started? • Your ITS Service Delivery coordinator will assist you in the migration from the NCIH to NCVIP network and can guide you through the technical issues and paperwork involved. Consult the Regional Coordinator Map, then call the Customer Support Center at 919-754-6000 or 1-800-722-3946. You may also open a service request by sending an email to its.incidents@ncmail.net. 19. What are the steps for migrating? • Click Here |