In the last article: we described the functionality of the first version of Yealink Meeting Server (hereinafter referred to as YMS), its capabilities and structure. 
As a result, we have received many requests from you to test this product, some of which have grown into complex projects to create or upgrade video conferencing infrastructure.
The most common scenario involved replacing the old MCU with a YMS server, while maintaining the existing fleet of terminal devices, and expanding with Yealink terminals.
There are three main reasons for this:
- The scalability of an existing MCU is impossible or unreasonably expensive.
- The "accumulated debt" for technical support is commensurate with the cost of a modern turnkey video conferencing solution.
- The manufacturer leaves the market and support ceases to be carried out at all.
Many of you who have dealt with Polycom upgrades, for example, or LifeSize support will understand what I'm talking about.
The new functionality of Yealink Meeting Server 2.0, as well as the renewal of the range of Yealink terminal clients, does not allow to fit all the information in one article. Therefore, I plan to make a series of small publications on the following topics:
- Overview of YMS 2.0
- Cascading YMS servers
- YMS and S4B integration
- New Yealink Terminals
- Multi-chamber solution for large conference rooms
What's new?
Over the current year, the system has received several significant updates - both in functionality and in the licensing scheme.
- Integration with the Skype For Business server is provided - Through the built-in software gateway, YMS can collect video conferences with the participation of both local and cloud S4B users. At the same time, a regular YMS concurrent license is used for connection. This functionality will be the subject of a separate review.
- Implemented functionality for cascading YMS servers - the system can be installed in the "cluster" mode to improve performance and load distribution. This feature will be described in detail in the next article.
- A new type of license "Broadcast" has appeared - in reality, this is not a broadcast at all, but the first step towards optimizing the cost of licenses in asymmetric conferences. In fact, this type of license allows viewer participants to connect, who do not send their own video/audio to the conference, but can see and hear participants with a full license. In this case, we get something like a webinar or a role-playing conference in which participants are divided into speakers and viewers.
The Broadcast license comes in a package with the number of connections in multiples of 50. In terms of 1 connection, the viewer is 6 times cheaper than the speaker.
First steps
The main page of the server prompts you to enter either the user interface or the admin control panel.
We make the first entrance from under the administrator.
At the first start, a step-by-step Installation Wizard is displayed, allowing you to configure all the necessary system modules (we will discuss in more detail below).
The first step is to activate the license. In version 2.0, this process has undergone some changes. If earlier it was enough to simply install a license file that was bound to the MAC address of the server's network controller, now the procedure is already divided into several stages:
- You need to download the server certificate (*.tar) provided by Yealink through a representative - through us, for example.
- In response to certificate import, the system creates a request file (*.req)
- Instead of a request file, Yealink sends a license key/keys
- These keys, in turn, are installed through the YMS interface, and activate the required number of symmetrical connection ports, as well as the Broadcast license package - if applicable.
In order. Import the certificate in the License section of the home page.
To export the request file, follow the link βYour license has not been activated. Please activated". And call the window "Offline Activation License"
You send the exported request file to us, and we give you one or two activation keys (separate for each type of license).
License files are installed through the same dialog box.
As a result, the system will display the status and number of concurrent connections for each type of license.
In our example, the licenses are test and have an expiration date. In the case of the commercial version, they are perpetual.
The YMS interface has several translation options, including Russian. But the main terminology is more familiar in English, so I will use it for screenshots.
The home page of the admin panel displays a summary of active users/sessions, status and number of licenses, as well as hardware server system information and versions of all software modules.
After installing the licenses, you need to make the initial configuration of the server - you can use the assistant.
The tab Network Association set the domain name of the YMS server - the name can be real or fictitious, but it is necessary for further configuration of the terminals. If it is not real, then in the settings on the clients, the domain name is driven into the server address, and the real IP of the server into the proxy address.
Tab Time contains SNTP and time zone settings - this is important for the calendar and mailing to work correctly.
data space β control and limitation of disk space for various system needs, such as logs, backups and firmware.
SMTP Mailbox β mail settings for mailing lists.
The new version of YMS has a useful functionality - Number Resource Allocation.
Previously, YMS internal numbering was fixed. This could create difficulties when integrating with IP-PBX. In order to avoid overlaps and create your own flexible numbering, you need to make settings for each group that can be called via numeric dialing.
It is possible not only to change the word length of the numbers, but also to limit the intervals. This is very convenient, especially when working with existing IP-telephony.
For the full operation of the YMS server, you need to add the necessary services.
In subsection SIP Service basic services are added to work using a SIP connection. In fact, adding comes down to a few simple steps in each tab - you need to call the service, select the server (in cluster mode), network adapter and, if necessary, edit the connection ports.
Registration Service - Responsible for registering Yealink terminals
IP Call Service - making calls
Third Party REG Service β registration of third-party hardware terminals
Peer Trunk Service ΠΈ REG Trunk Service β integration with IP-PBX (with and without registration)
Skype for Business β integration with the S4B server or cloud (more details in a separate article)
Further, in a similar way, you need to add the necessary services in the subsection H.323 Service, MCU Service ΠΈ Traversal Service.
After the initial setup, you can proceed to registering accounts. Since this functionality remained practically unchanged during the update process and was described in the last article, we will not dwell on it.
Detailed setup and customization
Let's touch on the configuration of calls a little (Call Control Policy) There are several useful options here.
For example, the Display native video is the display of your own video in conferences.
iOS push address - allows you to receive pop-up notifications on iOS devices with Yealink VC Mobile installed.
Broadcasting interactive β allows participants-viewers to connect, with an activated Broadcast license.
RTMP live ΠΈ Recording - includes the functionality of broadcasting and recording conferences. But it is important to remember that each recording / broadcast not only additionally loads the server, but also uses the full license for 1 competitive connection. This must be taken into account when calculating the port capacity of the server and the number of licenses.
Video Display Policy β display settings.
In conclusion - consider the submenu "Customization"
In this section, you can customize the YMS interface to fit your corporate style. Customize your mailing list template and IVR recording.
Many graphical interface modules support replacement with a custom version - from the background and logo to system messages and splash screens.
Conclusion
The administrator interface is concise and intuitive, despite the fact that with each update it acquires additional functionality.
I donβt see the point in demonstrating the interface of an active video conference in this article - the quality is still at a high level of video conferencing hardware systems. Itβs better not to think about such subjective things as quality and convenience, itβs better to test it yourself!
The test is
Deploy Yealink Meeting Server in your infrastructure for testing! Attach your telephony and existing SIP/H.323 terminals to it. Try to work through a browser or codec, through a mobile or desktop application. Add voice participants and viewers to the conference in the "Broadcast" mode.
To obtain a distribution kit and a test license, you just need to write a request to me at: [email protected]
Letter subject: YMS 2.0 testing (your company name)
You must attach your company card to the letter to register the project and create a demo key for you.
In the body of the letter, I ask you to briefly describe the task, the existing videoconferencing infrastructure and the planned scenario for using videoconferencing.
Given the number of requests for testing and the slightly complicated procedure for obtaining the key, there may be a delay in the response. Therefore, I apologize in advance if we are unable to respond to you on the same day!
I express my gratitude to IPiMatika for:
- Taken the lion's share of technical support
- Consistent and merciless Russification of the YMS interface
- Assistance in organizing YMS testing
Thanks for attention,
Best regards
Kirill Usikov ()
Head of
Video surveillance and video conferencing systems
Help me collect useful statistics by completing two short surveys.
Thanks in advance!
Only registered users can participate in the survey. , you are welcome.
What do you think of Yealink Meeting Server?
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So far, nothing - for the first time I heard about such a decision, it is necessary to study.
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The product is interesting for its seamless integration with Yealink terminals.
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Usual software, there are a lot of them now!
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Why experiment when there are more expensive but proven videoconferencing hardware solutions?
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Just what you need! I will definitely test!
13 users voted. 2 users abstained.
Does it make sense to have a local video conferencing solution?
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Of course not! Now everyone is moving to the clouds, and soon everyone will be buying a subscription to the cloud at VKS!
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Only for large companies, and those who are worried about the confidentiality of negotiations.
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Of course have! The cloud will never provide the required level of quality and availability of services, in comparison with its own video conferencing server.
13 users voted. 4 users abstained.
Source: habr.com