NJEDge.Net - The New Jersey Higher Education Network

VRG Meeting Notes - August 14, 2002

George Carroll

The Annual Meeting was held at the Wharfside restaurant in Point Pleasant. Approximately twenty-seven people attended representing twelve colleges and universities.

Carl Ceragno, President of Communications Research, Inc. was the guest speaker. He gave a presentation titled “Distance Learning and Media Classroom Briefing” which was a comprehensive review of video standards, cabling and design options. He also provided detailed handouts.

George Laskaris gave a brief update of the status of network plans and the continuing legal and technical process required to execute contracts and agreements with Verizon. He reported that the Master Services Agreement is not yet signed and our implementation schedule has slipped as a result.

Charlie McMickle explained the work he and others are doing on the Video dial plan for the NJEDge.Net network. He described the plan and its advantages including the fact that it insures uniqueness of the number. It will work with the various telephone systems and numbering schemes at our member institutions.

Charlie also commented on recent configuration changes in the network video portal and noted that he is looking at Virage equipment that has a number of interesting features.

Finally he stressed the availability of the ANJ video portal for colleges that need ISDN connectivity this Fall for specific classes. He asked that requests be sent to him so that he can submit a formal request to Verizon. During the discussion the need for the special VRG meeting to demonstrate video over NIPS circuits and different Codec equipment was discussed. George Carroll and George Laskaris said that the meeting will be scheduled as soon as the NIPS agreement with Verizon is signed.