TENET offers African NRENs access to its Videoconferencing-as-a-Service system based on the Vidyo platform. The Vidyo system provides high quality videoconferencing that adapts well to fluctuating network conditions using multiple encoding layers. KENET and ZAMREN have already deployed Vidyo components to connect to TENET's system. This shared service allows NRENs to start small and grow their infrastructure over time without replacing existing systems. The initial costs are $10,000 per year to share TENET's licenses and $2,000 every three years for additional routing equipment.

1. Videoconferencing-as-a-Service for
African NRENs
Making it happen
UbuntuNet Connect, Entebbe, Uganda, November 2016

2. The offer
• TENET has a VC system based on Vidyo that can
be shared with the UA community
• It is available now
• Cost sharing means good value
• Wholly software based system
• Works with rooms, laptops/desktops, mobile and
web
• Integrates existing H.323/SIP systems

3. What is Vidyo?
• High quality – up to 5K and 60fps on suitable hardware
• Adapts well to fluctuating network conditions
• End points do the encode/decode/composition of images
• Support for H.323/SIP endpoints via transcoding Gateway
• Directory integration
• Replay, Recording and Streaming
• Cross platform OS support
– Windows, MacOS and Linux
– iOS and Android
• High quality content sharing
• Used by CERN and SKA

4. Enhancement Layer
Base Layer
Significant ImpactSingle Layer (AVC)
Multi-layer (SVC)
Minor or No Impact
AVC - Single Layer vs. SVC - Multi-
Layer
Source: Vidyo

5. The Vidyo Landscape

6. Vidyo Endpoints (Personal)
• Desktop and Laptop
– Clients for MacOS, Windows (XP – 10) and Linux
– Up to 1080p30 encode and UHD 4K (3840x2160) Decode on suitable
hardware (i7)
– Show up to 8 participants and content on separate screen
– Automatic Echo Suppression
• Invite unlimited guests
• Calendar integration
• Mobile
– Android and iOS
• Web (for guests)
– Small one-time plugin download currently
– Native SVC based WebRTC coming soon

8. Vidyo endpoints (Rooms)
• Existing H.323/SIP Endpoints
– Polycom, Lifesize, Cisco, etc.
• VidyoRooms
– Vidyo badged CODECs
– VidyoRoom SE – bring your own (i7) PC
– Off the shelf cameras, audio equipment, etc.
– Will run up to X2 5K screens or X4 Full HD (1080p)
screens
– Calendar integration (Exchange & Google)

10. Jo’burg
VidyoPortal (Cold spare)
Cape Town
Cape Town
VidyoRouter
VidyoPortal
Jo’burg
VidyoRouter
Vidyo Recording
& Streaming
Server
VidyoGateway
Durban
UKZN
Durban
VidyoRouter
VidyoGateway
(Planned)
VidyoGateway
(on premises)
SKA
KENET
Nairobi
VidyoRouter
VidyoGateway
VidyoGateway
VidyoGateway
CERN VidyoRouter
vidyo-dashboard
VM2VM1
VM3
WebRTC Server
VidyoGateway
VidyoGateway
ZAMREN
Lusaka
VidyoRouter
VM1
TENET Vidyo Setup - November 2016

11. Extending the service
• KENET have deployed a VidyoRouter and VidyoGateway
• ZAMREN have deployed VidyoRouter
• Connected to TENET’s VidyoPortal in Cape Town
• Traffic between Kenyan sites stays in Kenya, & between Zambian
sites stays in Zambia
• Only needed a VM instance with capability to run these
components
• Has worked well in practice with some large meetings and no
reports of instability or difficulties in connecting
• Kenyan and Zambian users also have access to TENET Replay
server in Cape Town for recording and streaming
– Option to deploy Replay server locally (runs under virtualisation)

12. Benefits
• (Private) Cloud like shared service
– One pool of licenses shared across multiple users and countries
– Resilience
– Extensibility
• Start small, grow the infrastructure as needed
• Not “rip & replace” – existing H.323 estate can continue to
participate
• Reach out to partners and collaborators world-wide
• A ready made service!
• Support and training

13. Costs
• Initially share of TENET’s “Hosted lines” licence:
– $10,000 per year
• Additional support for locally deployed infrastructure
– $2,000 for three years per Router/Gateway
• Room systems (if required)
– Double screen trolley system
• $5,000 to $6,000 each depending on shipping/customs
– “Boardroom” type setups
• $9,000 - $10,000 depending on requirements and shipping

15. Why Vidyo
• Vidyo scores where need is for quality and stability
– Quality video and audio (up to 5K Video)
– Very high quality data-sharing
• Engineering and medical applications
• Integration of desktop and mobile with room systems
• Stability under fluctuating network conditions
• Flexibility
• Scalability

20. Connecting
to
Mombassa
Link up between
academic in Cape
Town, Heads of
Institutions in
Kenya and the
University of
Nairobi

21. Thank you
• vidyo@tenet.ac.za
• @robbristow
• 00 27 791 818 708