Vscene provides central videoconferencing resource for IP (H.323), and other types of endpoints, both point-point and multipoint. All users at JANET primary connected organisations are eligible to register and use the service free of charge (excluding ISDN call charges). Registered users may book guest endpoints in to videoconferences. In order to facilitate videoconferencing over IP Janet Videoconferencing operates a hierarchy of H.323 gatekeepers using the Global Dialling Scheme (GDS) as described on the IP Videoconferencing page.

All UK academic and commercial organisations are entitled to use the GDS in order to videoconference seamlessly across the world using the same numbering scheme.

E.164 Numbering

As described in the Policy for the Management and Administration of the Global Dialling Scheme in the UK the numbering scheme utilises an international telecommunications standard called E.164. A copy of the policy can be found here. The GDS numbering scheme involves devolved management of numbers at both national and endpoint level. The JVCS Management Centre delegates at a national level to allocate an E.164 prefix to an organisation. The organisation is responsible for allocating an extension number to the endpoint. The E.164 Numbering Scheme for English Local Education Authorities and Regional Broadband Consortia, Scottish Local Education Authorities and National Agencies, and Welsh Unitary Authorities found here.

In order to connect a new gatekeeper to the GDS the gatekeeper must first be allocated an E.164 prefix.

Registering a Gatekeeper for JANET Primary Connections, RBCs or Local Authorities

Registering a gatekeeper on the GDS in the UK requires peering it with the UK National Gatekeeper. Both the National gatekeeper and the newly registered gatekeeper require configuration in order to peer with each other. The JVCS Management Centre will configure the National gatekeeper and will provide details of what has to be configured in the newly registered gatekeeper.

Dear Gatekeeper Administrator

In order to register your organisational gatekeeper(s) with JISC / v-scene, please complete and email the follwing details to v-scene@jisc.ac.uk with the subject line 'Gatekeeper Registration'. You can use the text below as a template.
Once we have received the details, we will process them and send you back your zone(s) information and instructions for neighbouring your gatekeeper with our hierarchy.

Organisation :-
Organisation Type :-  (Educational or Commercial)

Gatekeeper IP Address:-
Gatekeeper DNS Name (if applicable) :-

Make & Model of Gatekeeper:-

Name of Primary Technical Contact :-
Email Address of Primary Technical Contact :- Phone Number of Primary Technical Contact :-

(Optional)
Name of Secondary Technical Contact :-
Email Address of Secondary Technical Contact :- Phone Number of Secondary Technical Contact :-

Regards,
v-scene Operations Team

If there are any queries relating to registration of a new gatekeeper to the GDS please contact Vscene support.

Registering a Gatekeeper for a Commercial Company

The procedure for registering a commercial company with GDS is identical to that of JANET Primary Connected Organisation and/or RBC/Local Authority. Please see section above for further details.

Two Gatekeepers at one Organisation

The preferred method of connecting endpoints via the GDS is to have an organisation level gatekeeper with which all endpoints at an organisation would register. There may however be circumstances when more than one gatekeeper is required at an organisation. Such circumstances will be dealt with on an individual basis by the JVCS Management Centre and if required a separate E.164 prefix will be allocated to each gatekeeper. Each gatekeeper will be required to be configured to peer with the National Gatekeeper.

Changing details of an Organisation Gatekeeper

If gatekeeper details (IP address/name) or technical contact details related to an organisation level gatekeeper change, the Vscene support should be informed immediately in order that the National Gatekeeper configuration can be altered. Please note that failure to inform JVCS of a change in IP address of a gatekeeper will result in the failure of endpoints registered with that gatekeeper connecting to other endpoints via the UK National Gatekeeper hierarchy.

Returning E.164 prefixes

If the E.164 allocated to an organisation no longer be required the Vscene support should be informed immediately in order that the National Gatekeeper configuration can be altered.

Endpoint configuration

It is important to note that once the Organisation Gatekeeper is configured to use GDS, each endpoint to be registered with it must be configured with the IP address of that gatekeeper as well as it's own unique E.164 address extension. This is required in order to allow the endpoint to correctly register with the gatekeeper.