Description and Value Proposition

eduCONF consists of two main elements:

• eduCONF Directory (http://educonf-directory.geant.net/).
• eduCONF Certification Tools.

The eduCONF Directory enables users to browse a directory of registered (and certified) videoconference rooms and NREN Services. This means that any user can see details and contacts at Videoconference facilities and services within registered NRENs. eduCONF Certification provides a defined standard for NREN Video Services and for Videoconference facilities. The certification of NRENs and rooms aims to improve the user experience by encouraging best practice and guaranteeing a minimum base standard for Videoconferencing Services that are included within eduCONF. The workflows that support the certification process are integrated into the eduCONF directory site.

Additional infrastructure support services are also in place, such as the Gatekeeper Monitoring Network to support service management and the eDDi numbering scheme to support NREN video infrastructure and rollout.

Technical Description

The eduCONF Directory is provided as a web service supported by a database and APIs to enable 3rd party access. The infrastructure is currently hosted by CARNET and PSNC.

The NREN and Room Certification processes are step-through sequences hosted on the eduCONF Directory website. During the process, a network of virtual terminals and gatekeepers is utilised to perform calls to and from a tested room VC system. Users are expected to make and receive test calls demonstrating successful use of the IP dialling, GDS, and eDDi.

The Gatekeeper Monitoring Network performs similar test calls to NREN Service National Gatekeepers in order to monitor the status of the Gatekeepers. NRENs are informed if a gatekeeper fails in order to rectify the problem as soon as possible.

Based on the results of the test calls and of the web form information collected about the facilities in a room, a certification level of Standard, Silver or Gold is assigned. This certification level is then described in an automatically-generated PDF Certificate that the Room manager can display in the room.

Service Description

eduCONF Directory

The Directory (http://educonf-directory.geant.net/) enables a user to search registered Videoconference Rooms and check the level of certification and facilities of the rooms.

Users can search using keywords or browse the Map. Filters can be applied to search in a specific Country, City or Institution.

Room profiles contain contact details for the administrators and technical contacts for the room, and optionally include photographs of the location and facilities.

eduCONF Certification

eduCONF provides two Certification Services, one for NREN Services and one for Videoconference rooms/facilities within an NREN.

NREN Certification

The eduCONF NREN Certification enables NRENs to certify their VC services to an agreed service standard. Depending on the facilities they have available, NRENs can be assigned one of three different levels of certification: Standard, Silver or Gold.

The NREN certification process includes:

• Automated Verification of IP dialling, compliance with the Global Dialling Scheme (GDS) and eduCONF Direct Dialling (eDDi).
• Certification of a VC room within the NREN.
• Submission of NREN Service Administrative and Technical Contacts.
• Manual Certification of a Room.

Room Certification

Once an NREN is certified it then takes on responsibility for the manual certification part for each of its videoconference rooms, which can be assigned Standard, Silver or Gold level Certification depending on the standard of facilities the room offers.

Infrastructure Monitoring

The eduCONF Service operates a monitoring network to validate the status of national gatekeepers. The Gatekeeper network enables users to dial video systems using the Global Dialling Scheme.

KPIs

Roadmap