Hello Everyone,
As the launch of the KAREN Video Bridge draws closer, we are seeing more and more users testing each day with great success. To help ensure that we will have the KAREN Video Bridge fully functional come the launch day, we will need to upgrade to the official 7.1 version of the Bridge.
This official 7.1 software from Radvision has been out since late Dec 2009 and is being deployed on all current Elite 5230 MCUs that are being shipped now. This new version will resolve some existing minor bugs that are still present in our current version as well as complete the specifications of:
* Updating Scopia Desktop for windows client to 7.1
* Incorporating the Scopia Desktop for Mac client
* Incorporating the H.264SVC codec into the Elite 5230 MCU
* Adding the AAC-LC audio HD codec
* Resolving remaining LifeSize endpoint issues connecting to the Elite MCU
* Adding HD web streaming
* Adding lecture mode option
* Controlling meeting via iPhone and Blackberry Scopia application
Last year we experienced upgrade problems on the HD Bridge that many of you may be aware of. This was due to experimenting with custom builds of the MCU code as well as testing beta releases. There were also firewall issues to work through from both member and server environments. We understand that there may be some reservation to move towards yet another upgrade of the Bridge, but want to express that this release differs from previous releases as it is an official production release, which has gone though the proper QA testing process. If anything, this release should bring more reliability and enhancement to users.
We will be planning to upgrade to 7.1 release at 6pm Monday 15th February. The upgrade plan will consist of:
Proposed Upgrade Plan:
Mon 6:00pm - Backup all config files and database of MCU and servers
Mon 6:30pm - Perform upgrade of MCU and servers to 7.1
Mon 7:00pm - Perform testing of endpoint connections
Mon 7:30pm - Perform testing of Scopia Desktop Win / Mac clients
Mon 8:00pm - Perform scheduling, streaming, recording tests
Tue 8:00am - Perform scheduled member testing with endpoints across NZ
Tue 10:00am - Announce 7.1 upgrade status to mailing lists and members
We will be contacting representatives at each site to co-ordinate a time convenient to them for testing their endpoints with the bridge anytime between 8:00am - 10:00am Tuesday morning.
Proposed Roll Back Plan
If at any stage during the upgrade plan we see any functionality of the services not working properly, we will initiate a complete rollback to the previous state and will plan to have that state operational by 10am Tues morning at the latest.
We encourage that any meetings planned for the morning of Tuesday 15th February, get rescheduled to the AARNet production bridge to ensure that users are not affected.
If you have any queries regarding the upgrade to version 7.1 of the KAREN Video Bridge, then you can either contact nathan [dot] gardiner [at] avcc [dot] net [dot] nz or emma [dot] bottomore [at] reannz [dot] co [dot] nz
Many thanks,
AVCC / REANNZ Team