Codec Operating System Software

As mentioned previously, the Cisco TelePresence codec runs the Linux operating system on an embedded Compact Flash module. The Linux OS is highly customized and secured including only those functions and modules necessary for it to operate.

Management Interfaces

A shell interface (accessible only through SSH on the primary codec) runs on top of the underlying OS to give administrators the command-line interface (CLI) necessary to administer the system. The primary codec also runs a highly customized version of Tomcat web server, which provides a web-based alternative to the CLI administration interface. The CLI and the web-based interface collectively are referred to as Cisco TelePresence System Administration.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the CLI and web-based administration interfaces.

 

Figure 1: Cisco TelePresence System Administration CLI

 

Figure 2: Cisco TelePresence System Administration web interface

Compact Flash and Component Firmware

The Cisco TelePresence System Administration software comes as a signed binary archive image (.sbn file) and contains the operating system and all other software modules, including the firmware to be loaded into all its peripherals, the video and audio subsystems, cameras, displays and other components. The .sbn file is preloaded in the factory on the Compact Flash module and can be upgraded or downgraded by obtaining the desired version from Cisco.com and then loading that file on the Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) server.

When the system is powered on, or anytime it receives a restart command from the CUCM to which it is registered, the primary codec downloads its configuration from the CUCM. The configuration file, in turn, contains the filename of the software load that the system should be running (for example, the filename SIPTS.1-5-0-2000R.sbn), and if the current version running on the Compact Flash does not match the filename contained in the configuration file, the codec downloads the new file from the CUCM. The Compact Flash on the codec is divided into three partitions: a factory slot, slot 1, and slot 2. The new file is downloaded to either slot 1 or slot 2. If slot 1 is currently the active slot, the codec downloads the new image to slot 2. If slot 2 is currently active, the codec downloads the new image to slot 1 and then reloads itself to install the new image.

Upon booting up, the codec checks the firmware of the secondary codecs and syncs its Compact Flash slots with those of the secondary’s. The codec also checks the firmware of all the attached peripherals and compares their versions against the versions bundled within its running image. If any of them do not match, the codec pushes the new firmware to that peripheral.

Notice at the bottom of Figure 2 the Compact Flash contents of each of the three codecs is listed and which slot is currently the active slot on each codec. The System Details button on that page launches a new page that displays the firmware for every component attached to the system. This same information can be accessed through the CLI interface using the show upgrade detail command or by querying the correct SNMP MIB variables.

Component Status

The primary codec keeps track of all the components attached to it, including the secondary codecs, cameras, displays, document cameras, projectors, microphones, and so on. If any component is malfunctioning, an alarm status is displayed on the Administration web interface and can trigger SNMP trap notifications if configured with an SNMP trap destination. The state of the system and all its components can be viewed on-demand at any time through the web interface, CLI, or through SNMP MIB polling mechanisms.

Codec Physical Design

The Cisco TelePresence codec is a purpose-built, ultra-high performance encoding and decoding appliance. It runs the Linux operating system on an embedded Compact Flash module and contains an array of Digital Signal Processors (DSP) that perform all the encoding and decoding of the audio and video.

The Cisco TelePresence codec was designed to operate in a hands-off environment where physical access to the device would be rare. It is rack-mounted to the assembly frame of the TelePresence system and then surrounded by the structural assembly and furniture of the system. All the cameras, displays, microphones, speakers, IP Phone, and other auxiliary components plug into it, and it, in turn, attaches to the network through a single 1000Base-T Gigabit Ethernet interface. There are no keyboard, monitor, or console ports on the system. It is managed entirely over IP through its network interface using protocols such as Secure Shell (SSH), Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).

Figures 1 and 2 show the front and back views of the Cisco TelePresence codec.

 

Figure 1: Cisco TelePresence codec – front view

 

Figure 2: Cisco TelePresence codec – back view

Cisco TelePresence Codec

The Cisco TelePresence codec was developed from the ground up by Cisco in early 2004, providing native 1080p high definition video and wide-band spatial audio utilizing standard audio and video compression methods. This state of the art codec is now the basis for all Cisco TelePresence systems. Unlike many video conferencing products on the market today, the Cisco TelePresence codec provides integration and management for all in room components. Integrating system cameras, displays, projectors, and auxiliary documentation cameras provide a highly reliable system with a consistent user experience. The Cisco TelePresence codec also leverages the Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and existing network technologies, providing a scaleable platform used in some of today’s largest voice networks.

Current and past video conferencing systems often use off-the-shelf components, such as displays, auxiliary cameras, custom touch-screen user interfaces, and in-house audio systems, to build out rooms. Although providing great deployment flexibility, this approach also makes system use and management more difficult. Each Cisco TelePresence system is built as an integrated system including video, audio, and lighting, all managed by the Cisco TelePresence codec. The Cisco TelePresence codec also manages system software for all components, putting system displays in standby mode, or completely powering on and off system displays and integrated lighting, saving power and HVAC resources during off hours.

Integrating all in-room components with the Cisco TelePresence codec also provides a central management and configuration point for all components in a TelePresence room. Administrators can access the codec using Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS) or Secure Shell (SSH) Common Line Interface (CLI) for system management. The secure web management interface provides a central view of all in-room component status, real-time call statistics, and access to system logs. Also, from the web interface, administrators can tune and verify cameras, displays, audio, and projection systems functionality. Providing this level of system integration enables administrators to quickly identify status and troubleshoot any component in the Cisco TelePresence system.

As previously mentioned, the Cisco TelePresence codec is fully integrated with the CUCM, making it a key component of the Cisco Unified Communications portfolio. As with Cisco IP Telephony, Cisco TelePresence relies on CUCM for its configurations, software upgrades, management and call processing. Utilizing CUCM allows centralized system management while allowing the system to leverage established techniques for network automation and Quality of Service (QoS), such as:

• Cisco Discovery Protocol (CDP) and 802.1Q for discovery and assignment to the appropriate VLAN
• 802.1p and Differentiated Services Code Point (DSCP) for QoS
• HTTP for automatic downloading of configuration and firmware updates
• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for all call signaling communications

From an administrator’s perspective, the entire Cisco TelePresence virtual meeting room appears as a single SIP endpoint on CUCM. It is managed using tools and methodologies that are similar to those used with a Cisco Unified IP Phone. Figure 1 illustrates the Cisco TelePresence codec.

 

Figure 1: Cisco TelePresence codec

Industry-Leading Audio and Video

The Cisco TelePresence codec uses industry-leading 1080p and 720p high-definition video resolution and 48kHz wideband spatial audio. The codec also supports Common Intermediate Format (CIF) video resolution and G.722/G.711 audio for interoperability with non-TelePresence endpoints and audio-only participants.