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| NJEdge codec interoperability |
1. What interoperability issues do we need to be concerned about?
a.Codecs- There are 2 major elements of both the Verizon provided NJEdge and ANJ H.323 networks that a codec must be certified to interoperate with:
the MCU (Accord), and the Gatekeeper (probably the
Cisco Multimedia Conference Manager)
b.
Gatekeepers- Since each campus will be required to provide it's
own gatekeeper, it is important that that gatekeeper be certified with
NJEdge.
2.What steps are being taken to certify network components?
The H.323 rollout for both K-12 (ANJ) and NJEdge are both underway, and
Verizon is preparing for certification testing (See the url above). Also, the Treasury is preparing a state contract for distance learning that have been helping them with. One of the provisions is that the codecs will have to be compatible with the Verizon H.323 networks. This led to a challenge last week from Sony and Tandberg, who claim that Verizon hasn't provided them with the opportunity to certify. Verizon is in the process of responding to that challenge.
3. What can we do in the meantime?
Be sure to include the proviso "...must be guaranteed to operate on
the
NJEdge network" on any order or RFP.
4. What about specific codecs (Tandberg) folks have asked about?
As far as the Tandberg and the Accord go, what I know is that the Tandberg has been tested and certified using H.320/1 (current ANJ H.321 architecture),
but has not yet been tested using H.323. Verizon has plans to certify H.323 codecs soon, but is not yet ready to start. I do not know the status of any Tandberg codec's interoperability with any gatekeepers.
Again, because some codecs (Vtel in particular) are known to have had interoperability problems with the Accord, and some gatekeepers publish lists of codecs and MCU's they support, I think it would be wise that prospective NJEdge codec buyers be smart consumers and insist that a vendor guarantee in writing that his/her codec would interoperate on the NJEdge network and promise to take it back if it didn't.
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