A multipoint conference involves three or more video or telephone participants. There are three types of multipoint conference options available at IU: Video Bridge, Private, and Instant Conferences. Participants can connect to any of these conferences by video or telephone, as described in The Connecting page.

Video Bridge Conferences:

Video Bridge conferences are open to all staff and faculty at IU and are scheduled using Microsoft Outlook. When you create an Outlook meeting mequest, simply select an available Video Bridge calendar from the Outlook global address list and add it as a "resource" to your meeting request. If possible, meeting organizers should try to avoid reserving Video Bridge conferences immediately adjacent to other meetings to avoid interruptions when participants from adjacent meetings connect to the same Video Bridge conference. Users should also be aware that because Video Bridge conferences are open-access, any H.323 videoconferencing or telephone participant can join at any time.

Private Conferences:

Private conferences are intended for groups who meet frequently by video, and/or whose meeting content is sensitive (requires access control). Private conferences are persistent (i.e always ready for participant connections), and are configured with a security PIN. A Private conference can be listed in the Polycom Global Address Book if desired, so that IU participants can connect to the conference by a familiar name, rather than a number.

To apply for a Private conference, complete the Private Conference Request Form.

Instant Conferences:

Instant conferences can be created on-the-fly by any H.323 videoconferencing system without advance scheduling.

To create an Instant conference:

  1. From the IU Video Directory, connect to: "Video Auto Attendant" or connect to IP: 156.56.240.9.
  2. Activate the touch tone keypad:
    • Polycom/Tandberg group systems: Press #.
    • Polycom PVX/ViaVideo: click Controls, then the Keypad tab.
    • XMeeting: click Tools, then Remote Control, and verify that you are in DTMF mode.
  3. Press *. The "Conference Number to Create" screen appears.
  4. Enter a conference ID number, then #.
  5. Enter an (optional) conference PIN number, then #. The meeting is now activated.
  6. Subsequent meeting participants can connect to the instant conference as described in: The Connecting Page.
Notes: An instant conference exists on the video bridge only from the time it is created until the last participant hangs up. However, you can create an instant conference with the same conference number and PIN every time your group meets.