Providing management and operational support for TelePresence deployments is a prime concern for every TelePresence customer. In most cases, CXO-level executives frequent TelePresence rooms, bringing a high-visibility level to the solution. As we know, executives at this level have high expectations and expect things to work. A number of tools are available for customers looking to manage a TelePresence deployment.
As discussed previously, Cisco TelePresence is composed of numerous components and layers, including endpoints, servers, network infrastructure, scheduling for rooms and how users interact with the scheduling tools. Inherent management capabilities are built into the products, and also a number of Cisco network management applications. Cisco network analysis modules and appliances can provide additional capabilities for monitoring and troubleshooting the overall network and the TelePresence solution.
The following TelePresence components provide management for the Cisco TelePresence Solution:
- Cisco TelePresence System Administration: Each Cisco TelePresence component provides an administrative interface that allows configuration, troubleshooting, and management.
- Cisco Unified Communications Manager: Provides endpoint configuration and firmware management along with dial plan and call routing management.
- Cisco TelePresence Multipoint Switch: Provides CTMS configuration, CTMS troubleshooting, and real-time statistics for multipoint meetings.
- Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange/IBM Domino: Manages accounts, mailboxes, and permissions for CTS-Manager and the rooms in which the CTS endpoints reside.
- Microsoft Outlook/Lotus Notes: Where both users and administrators view the availability of the rooms and schedule meetings.
As you have seen throughout this chapter, different components of the Cisco TelePresence solution provide different levels of management for the overall system. The core management components for the solution are the CTS-Manager and CUCM.
CTS-Manager is the core management tool providing centralized management for all TelePresence components and scheduled meetings. The CTS-Manager provides management through CLI or web-based administration. Administrators use the web-based interface for viewing status of all CTS devices, CTMS devices, calendaring integration, and scheduled meetings. This centralized view enables administrators to quickly identify issues with any component of the Cisco TelePresence system. Utilizing the CTS-Manager administrators or concierges can manage all aspects of scheduled meetings, such as editing meeting options, monitoring the status of a scheduled meeting, or gathering call detail records (CDR) for billing purposes. CTS-Manager also supports Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), allowing traps to be sent to a management system and providing alerts for system administrators.
The Cisco TelePresence systems also provide a command-line interface (CLI) or web-based management interface that enables you to connect directly or link from the CTS-Manager, providing detailed information for the CTS device. As mentioned in previous chapters, the CTS management interface provides status for all system components including the codec, system displays, cameras, projector, speakers, and microphones. This enables administrators to quickly access system health and gather call statistics for troubleshooting potential network issues. SNMP is also supported, allowing traps to be sent to a management system providing system administrators with alerts regarding potential system or network issues.
The CTMS also provides a CLI and web-based administration that is similar to both the CTS-Manager and CTS. As with the CTS, the CTMS management page can be accessed directly or linked to from the CTS-Manager. The CTMS management interface provides administrators with the ability to manage all aspects of multipoint meetings. Meeting administrators have the ability launch and monitor multipoint meetings, providing in-meeting support for TelePresence users requesting changes during a multipoint meeting.
CUCM provides another level of management for the TelePresence components and CTS devices in particular. All configuration and firmware management for CTS devices is managed using CUCM. CTS devices are managed through CUCM using the same methodologies currently used for Cisco telephony devices. CUCM also provides CDRs for all calls placed to and from CTS endpoints.
Looking at the different components, you can see that each component provides a different level of management. However, a hierarchical management structure is in place for managing and troubleshooting TelePresence components using the CTS-Manager.
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