C H A PT E R 1

Introduction
This chapter provides a general overview of the Cisco IP/VC 3500 series product and
architecture and describes the physical features and functionality of the Video Terminal
Adapter (VTA) product.

Overview
Videoconferencing is helping organizations make the transition to an Internet-driven world
with instant worldwide connectivity. Spurred by changes in communications technology,
low-cost bandwidth, plus continuous improvements in hardware and performance,
videoconferencing solutions provide large and small enterprises, government institutions,
and educational environments with the tools they need to be more productive, to make
decisions faster, to train and educate more effectively, and to save time and avoid the burden
of travel.
The Cisco IP/VC 3500 Series product family is Cisco’s videoconferencing solution. It is
comprises several products that are developed for enterprises and service providers who
want a reliable and easy to manage network infrastructure for videoconferencing
applications deployment. Cisco videoconferencing products enable video applications over
IP networks, and integrate legacy H.320 system, thus protecting enterprises’ original
investment in videoconferencing.

Introduction 1-1
Network Videoconferencing and H.323

Network Videoconferencing and H.323

H.323 is the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard for real-time
multimedia communications and conferencing over packet-based (IP) networks. Sending
videoconferences over standard ISDN lines is expensive and prone to connectivity
problems. Because of specialized, dedicated equipment needs, ISDN-based
videoconferencing is often restricted to special sites and rooms. Network-based H.323
videoconferencing is the next-generation standard. H.323 is more cost-effective, offering
greater flexibility and scalability: wherever there is a LAN connection, H.323
videoconferencing equipment will operate.

H.323 Network Components

The H.323 specification defines a number of new network components that interoperate
with other standards-compliant endpoints and networks by virtue of an H.323/H.32X
gateway.
Following are the network components defined by the H.323 standard:
• Terminals are the endpoints on the LAN which provide for real-time, two-way
communications. Most H.323 terminals are desktop computers running H.323
compliant software. All terminals must support voice communications while video and
data are optional. However, if these other media are supported, H.323 specifies what
modes of operation are required so that all terminals supporting video and/or data can
work seamlessly together.
• Multipoint Controller Units consist of a required multipoint controller (MC) and an
optional multipoint processor or processors. The MC is the conference controller. The
MC handles negotiation between all terminals to determine common capabilities and
controls conference resources such as multicasting. The MC does not deal directly with
any of the media streams. This is left to the MP, which does the mixing, switching, and
other processing of audio, video, and/or data bits.

1-2 Cisco IP/VC 3530 VTA User Guide

 Cisco IP/VC 3500 Series Product Family

• Gatekeepers perform crucial control and administration tasks for H.323 entities while
providing network administrators the ability to incorporate management and security
policies into the network. Although the H.323 recommendation describes the
gatekeeper as an optional component of a functional H.323 system in practice the
gatekeeper is essential. The H.323 gatekeeper is responsible for providing address
translation between LAN aliases and IP addresses, call control and routing, basic
telephony services such as directory services and PBX functions, H.323 traffic
bandwidth usage control and total network usage control and the implementation of
overall system management and security policies.
• Gateways are devices that provide the translation services between H.323 conferencing
endpoints on the IP network and other ITU-compliant terminals (for example, H.320
room systems) on other circuit switched networks.
Terminals, gateways and multipoint controller units are also known as H.323 endpoints.
The collection of all terminals, gateways, and MCUs managed by a single gatekeeper
comprise an H.323 Zone.

Cisco IP/VC 3500 Series Product Family

The Cisco IP/V 3500 Series consists of the following products:
• IP/VC 3510 Multipoint Control Unit (MCU)
The MCU enables conferences between three or more endpoints. Multiple participants
in multiple locations can attend the same meeting with full real-time interactivity. The
MCU is designed to allow users to spontaneously initiate full multimedia, multipoint
conferences (MC), including data conferencing. It runs unattended and there is no need
to schedule conferences in advance. With the MCU, a user simply dials the conference
number and the MCU automatically sets up the session. Others wanting to join dial that
same number and are immediately connected to the conference. Alternatively, the
person initiating the conference can add users to the conference.
Each MCU can support up to 15 simultaneous users. Its compact design also provides
a way to cascade multiple MCUs together to support larger conferences. For small
videoconferencing networks, the MCU features built-in gatekeeper functions. It is
based upon a highly reliable RISC architecture and is simple to install.

Introduction 1-3
Cisco IP/VC 3500 Series Product Family

• IP/VC 3520 and IP/VC 3525 Gateways

The IP/VC 3520 and the IP/VC 3525 Gateways are self-contained systems that translate
between H.323 and H.320 protocols, and convert multimedia information from circuit
switch (ISDN) to H.323 IP packets. They let you connect your legacy ISDN-based
H.320 systems to IP-based H.323 videoconference endpoints.
The IP/VC 3520 Gateway offers two or four BRI or V.35 WAN ports or a combination
of both BRI and V.35 ports. It supports up to four calls at 128 kbps (BRI interfaces) or
384 kbps (V.35 interfaces). All ports include audio transcoders for optimal video/audio
quality and bandwidth utilization. The BRI ports come standard with echo cancellation.
The V.35 ports support EIA/TIA-366 signaling for call setup.

Note EIA/TIA-232 and EIA/TIA-366 were known as recommended standards RS-232

and RS-366 before their acceptance as standards by the Electronics Industries Association
(EIA) and Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

The IP/VC 3525 Gateway offers a single PRI interface to the ISDN network. It supports
T1 and E1 connections, making it suitable for deployment anywhere in the world. The
IP/VC 3525 Gateway supports three calls at 384 kbps, four calls on E1, or up to eight
calls at 128 kbps. Audio transcoding is also supported as a standard feature for optimal
audio quality.
Like the IP/VC 3510 MCU, the IP/VC Gateways offer built-in gatekeeper functions for
small videoconferencing networks, a compact design and reliable RISC architecture.
• IP/VC 3530 Video Terminal Adapter
The IP/VC 3530 Video Terminal Adapter (VTA) is a self-contained video interface that
connects one H.320 system to an IP network. It allows companies to protect their
investment in legacy technologies while implementing new IP-based multimedia
communications. The IP/VC 3530 VTA connects an H.320 room-based system or
small-group system to a LAN. It offers two V.35 WAN interfaces, EIA/TIA-366
signaling, a low-profile compact design, and RISC architecture to ensure reliability and
easy installation.

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 About the Cisco IP/VC 3530 VTA

About the Cisco IP/VC 3530 VTA

The VTA is a self-contained terminal adapter that translates between H.320 and H.323
communications protocols. The VTA connects your H.320 video conferencing system
(room system or group system) to an IP network (LAN, Internet, or intranet) and provides
complete end-to-end interoperability between the room system and all other H.323 devices
on the network. By opening up your room system to the previously inaccessible world of
H.323 networking without losing any H.320 functionality, the VTA protects and enhances
your room system investment.

VTA Features
VTA features include the following:
• Interoperates with gateways.
• An EIA/TIA-232 modem connection port for remote diagnostics.
• Dialing signals (for incoming calls) and address translation.
• Session speeds up to 384 kbps.
• One IEEE 802.3 LAN (Ethernet) UTP connection.
• Dual V.35 DCE interface with EIA/TIA-366.
• Far End Camera Control (FECC) support.
• SNMP-based configuration program.
• Front panel LED display.
• Dialing profiles to set bandwidth utilization.
• Audio: G.711, G.728 (transparent support).
• Video: H.261 CIF and QCIF.

Introduction 1-5
VTA Physical Description

VTA Physical Description

The VTA is built in a low-profile unit designed to comfortably fit in the cabinet of your
H.320 video conferencing system or in a 19-inch rack.

Front Panel
The VTA front panel contains LEDs and an asynchronous EIA/TIA-232 serial port that you
can connect to a PC or a modem. Use this port to run a terminal session for defining IP
addresses or running diagnostics.

Figure 1-1 VTA Front Panel

LAN

1
LINK WAN

29050
2 CISCO
ACTIVITY IP/VC 35
V I D
E O
00SERIES
T E R
M I N
A L
TEST A D A
P T E
PWR R

SERIA
L PORT

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 Front Panel

LEDs
Table 1-1 indicates front panel LEDs device status and LAN and WAN activity.

Table 1-1 Front Panel Activity

LED Color Indicates

PWR Green Power is switched on.
TEST Red VTA is powering up or is being
configured. This turns off after the
VTA successfully powers up.
WAN — —
SESSION (1) Green Indicates video conferencing activity
SESSION (2) Green Indicates video conferencing activity
for two-channel (2B) calls only.
LAN — —
LINK Green LAN link is present; port is
connected to the network.
SESSION Green Indicates video conferencing activity
on the LAN.

For information on using the LEDs for problem solving, see the “LED Indications” section
in the “Tips and Troubleshooting” chapter.

Console Port
You can connect the EIA/TIA-232 console (serial) port directly to a terminal or to a remote
terminal via a modem for diagnostics, monitoring, and configuration. The console port has
a female DB9 connector. For information on connecting this port, see the “Cable
Connectors and Pinouts” appendix.

Introduction 1-7
VTA Physical Description

Rear Panel
The VTA rear panel contains one LAN port, two serial ports (to connect the VTA to the
room station), and a power plug and switch.

Figure 1-2 VTA Rear Panel

MW-3

MW-4

MW-1

PORT-1 POWE

28957
R
PORT-2 MW-2
MW-V.35
-2T

LAN1

100-240
VAC

LAN Port Connection

This is a 10BASE-T IEEE 802.3 Ethernet connection (RJ-45 socket) tjat supports 10 mbps
bandwidth.

Serial Ports
Each of the two high-speed 26-pin serial ports (female) connects to a V.35/EIA/TIA-366
Y-cable, which connects to a corresponding cable on the room system. Use port 2 only
when running 2B calls.

Power Socket and Switch

The VTA automatically adjusts to the supply voltage ranging from 100 to 240V AC,
50/60 Hz.

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