Chapter 5 - Basic Operations

Monitoring On Going Conferences

You can monitor conferences and perform various operations while conferences are running.

Monitoring involves viewing the status of On Going Conferences and the status of their participants.

Three levels of monitoring are available with the MGC Manager:

General Monitoring - You can monitor the general status of all the On Going Conferences and their participants in the MGC Manager main window.

Conference Level Monitoring - You can view additional information regarding the conference using the Conference - Properties option.

Participant Level Monitoring - You can view detailed information on the participant's status using the Participant - Properties option.

When an operator is available to attend participants, you can view the status of participants in the Participants Queue window. For more information about the Participants Queue, see the MGC Manager User’s Guide, Volume I, Chapter 8.

Operations can be performed at the conference level or at the participant level. For example, you can terminate a conference before its scheduled ending or you can extend its duration. You can also disconnect an individual participant while the conference is in progress, or temporarily mute transmission to and from a site so that the other participants can hold a private discussion. You can also connect dial-out participants during the conference and add a new participant while the conference is in session.

General Monitoring

Monitoring a conference enables you to keep track of its participants and its progress. When monitoring a conference, you can check whether all its participants are correctly connected and whether errors and faults have occurred.

The MGC Manager allows you to monitor several On Going Conferences simultaneously. The On Going Conference information is easily available and clearly represented.

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Polycom MGC-100, MGC-50 manual Monitoring On Going Conferences, General Monitoring

MGC-50, MGC-100 specifications

The Polycom MGC (Multipoint Gateway Controller) series includes notable models such as MGC-100 and MGC-50, designed to enhance video and audio conferencing capabilities in various organizational setups. These systems are pivotal for facilitating effective communication in a world where remote collaboration is increasingly essential.

The Polycom MGC-100 serves as a powerful multipoint control unit (MCU), allowing multiple concurrent video and audio sessions. It is particularly suitable for larger enterprises and organizations that require sophisticated conferencing capabilities. Supporting both standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) video, the MGC-100 can manage high-quality video streams seamlessly. Its ability to integrate with different conferencing systems and technologies makes it a versatile tool for enterprises looking to enhance their collaboration efforts.

Some standout features of the MGC-100 include its support for a wide range of protocols, including H.323 and SIP, ensuring compatibility with various endpoint devices. This model can accommodate a substantial number of participants, depending on the configuration, with options for scalability. The system also boasts advanced features such as content sharing, enabling users to present slides, documents, and other materials during conferences.

On the other hand, the Polycom MGC-50 is designed for smaller organizations or departmental use. While it provides fewer simultaneous sessions than the MGC-100, it still offers robust features that make it ideal for moderate conferencing needs. The MGC-50 also supports both H.323 and SIP protocols, ensuring smooth interoperability with various video conferencing endpoints. This model features straightforward management capabilities, allowing administrators to set up and control conferences with ease.

Both models are built with advanced video processing technologies, ensuring high-quality audio and video transmission. The inclusion of error correction and packet loss recovery technologies further enhances user experience, minimizing disruptions during calls. The systems also support a variety of codecs, ensuring optimal performance across different network conditions.

In terms of characteristics, both the MGC-100 and MGC-50 emphasize reliability and ease of use. They come with user-friendly interfaces and remote management capabilities, making it simple for IT professionals to maintain and configure the systems. In conclusion, the Polycom MGC series, with its MGC-100 and MGC-50 models, exemplifies a commitment to quality and performance in multipoint conferencing, catering to diverse organizational needs while facilitating effective communication strategies.