Polycom V500, VSX5000, VSX7000E, VSX8000, VSX7000S User Manual

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Release Notes

V500 and VSX Systems, Version 8.5

Polycom® is pleased to announce the release of version 8.5 software for the V500™ and VSX™ systems. Polycom software release 8.5 is available as a software update for customers with current service agreements.

To upgrade system software, use the Softupdate application. For more information about upgrading software and enabling system options, refer to the Upgrading Polycom Video Software document. The document and Softupdate application are available at the Polycom Resource Center.

New Version of People+Content IP

The People+Content™ IP application has been updated to version 1.1.0.7. Version 1.1.0.7 includes the ability to use a VSX or V500 host name rather than just an IP address, as well as improvements to maintain image quality even when network performance is poor. You can download this new version from the Polycom Resource Center.

Installing Version 8.5

As you install this version of V500 or VSX system software, you may notice enhancements to Softupdate and changes in security options and passwords. For more information, refer to the Softupdate Enhancements, Security

Enhancements, and Password Changes sections of this document.

VSX 3000A customers who are currently running version 8.0.x software may experience flicker and unusual behavior on their displays when upgrading to version 8.5. This is normal behavior and it is critical that the system NOT be turned off during this process. The complete upgrade process should take no longer than 2-3 minutes, and after the upgrade is complete, the system will restart automatically.

May 2006 3725-21988-013/A

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

What’s New in This Release?

Softupdate Enhancements

Softupdate now gives you the following options when you select Custom installation:

• Change the monitor configuration.

• Change the system’s network configuration.

• Erase the system flash memory.

Softupdate also includes new online help, which you can access by pressing the F1 key or clicking the Help button in any dialog.

Security Enhancements

Version 8.5 provides several enhancements to make operating the system more secure, including a new Security Mode on some systems and additional password options. Starting with version 8.5, Softupdate uses secure FTP to access the systems and verifies that the download has been digitally signed by Polycom before installing it.

Security Mode

With version 8.5, you can configure VSX 3000A, VSX 5000, VSX 6000A, VSX 7000s, VSX 7000e, and VSX 8000 systems to use Security Mode, which provides secure access to the system. Security Mode is based on Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 using 168-bit Triple-DES. These protocols encrypt management communication over IP, preventing access by unauthorized users.

Every time you enable Security Mode, you must configure a new password for the system. The password cannot be blank, and it cannot be the default value (serial number).

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Security Mode requires secure access and a password for Web, Telnet, and FTP access.

Points to note about Security Mode:

• SNMP access is not available in Security Mode.

• Global Management System™ and ReadiManager™ SE200 are not compatible

with VSX systems in Security Mode.

• Software images for version 8.5 and later are digitally signed by Polycom. To install an earlier version of system software, you must disable Security Mode.

• If Security Mode is not enabled, the system first attempts to use a secure protocol (such as HTTPS), but reverts to the non-secure form of the protocol if the management system does not have a secure client.

• If Security Mode is enabled, you must enter the room password to reset the system.

Password Changes

Version 8.5 provides more flexibility and added protection for accessing system Admin Settings. The admin password has been replaced by the room password and the remote access password. You can set up a room password to restrict access to the system locally. You can set up a remote access password to restrict access to the system via FTP, Telnet, SNMP, or the web interface. You can also choose to use the same password for both local room access and remote access.

H.460 NAT Firewall Traversal

You can now configure VSX systems to use standards-based H.460.18 and H.460.19 firewall traversal, which allows video systems to more easily establish IP connections across firewalls.

Integration with Microsoft Live Communications Server (LCS)

Integration with Microsoft® LCS allows you to set up a list of LCS contacts on a V500 or VSX system, see if the contacts are online, and call them without knowing their addresses. Contacts appear in the directory and can also be displayed on the home screen.

Out-of-box Monitor Configuration

When you power on your system for the first time, or after you erase the system flash memory, the out-of-box setup wizard runs to let you configure the system. Starting with version 8.5, the system displays the setup wizard on both NTSC/PAL and VGA monitors so that you can complete the setup

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

regardless of the type of monitor connected. The setup wizard prompts you to select your monitor configuration. At the end of the setup wizard, the system restarts with the configuration you selected.

To configure a VSX 5000 or VSX 6000A for dual monitors, you must provide a dual monitor option key.

Configurable Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU)

Different networks have different packet-handling characteristics. Some networks can handle large packets, but some networks perform better with small packets. If you have bad video or network errors because packets are too large, you should decrease the MTU. If the network is burdened with unnecessary overhead because the packets are too small, you should increase the MTU. The default value is 1260.

Previously the MTU size was a static value that you could not change. In version 8.5, you can configure the MTU for IP networks. This setting does not apply to ISDN networks.

Basic Mode UI Configuration

You can now enable Basic Mode from the system’s user interface, in addition to enabling it in the web interface.

Web Navigation

The web interface in version 8.5 is enhanced to provide easier navigation.

Maximum Number of Local Directory Entries

Systems running version 8.5 can store up to 1,000 local directory entries.

Improved Interaction with Global Directory Server

Version 8.5 includes improvements to communication and data handling between the Global Directory Server and V500/VSX systems.

Save Global Directory to System is no longer enabled by default on the Global Directory Servers screen (System > Admin Settings > Global Services > Directory Servers). When Save Global Directory to System is disabled, the system can only display up to 1,000 global directory entries. If you enable Save Global Directory to System, the system can display up to 4,000 global directory entries by saving them to a file on your system.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

You can now manually refresh the global directory on your system by clicking the Polycom logo in the top right corner of the Directory screen and selecting Refresh.

Improvements to Call Preferences

With version 8.5, you can allow users to place IP-to-ISDN or ISDN-to-IP calls specifically through a gateway.

Using a Non-Polycom Remote Control

With the version 8.5 software, you can configure the system to accept input from a programmable, non-Polycom remote without compatibility problems.

G.722.1 Annex C Audio

Version 8.5 uses the G.722.1 Annex C audio protocol for calls without stereo enabled. Systems will still use Siren™ 14 for stereo. G.722.1 Annex C is similar to Siren 14. You should not notice any difference except on the Call Statistics screen. The Call Statistics screen specifies which audio protocol is being used for the call.

Automatic Adjustment for Daylight Saving Time

You can now configure your system to automatically move the system clock forward and back one hour for daylight saving time. The system does not need to be connected to a time server to use this feature.

This new setting replaces the Daylight Saving Time setting, which manually moved the system clock forward and back.

Automatic Camera Tracking with the Polycom Vortex

You can now use automatic camera tracking when you have a Vortex® mixer connected instead of Polycom microphones.

Configurable Screen Saver Output

You can now configure whether the system sends black video or no signal to the monitor or projector when the screen saver activates.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

New API Commands

The following API commands are new in version 8.5.

addressdisplayedingab

Specifies whether to make the system address public or private in the global directory.

addressdisplayedingab get addressdisplayedingab private addressdisplayedingab public

camerainput

Sets or gets the format for a video source.

camerainput {1..3} <get|s-video|composite>

configpresentation

Sets or gets the content presentation settings for Monitor 1 or Monitor 2.

content-or-near|content-or-far|all>

configpresentation monitor2 <near|far|content|near-or-far|

content-or-near|content-or-far|all>

configpresentation monitor1 "value" monitor2 "value"

dialingentryfield

Sets or gets the configuration of the dialing entry field on the Place a Call screen.

dialingentryfield <get|yes|no>

enablefirewalltraversal

Sets or gets the Enable NAT/Firewall Traversal setting. This feature requires an Edgewater session border controller that supports H.460.

enablefirewalltraversal <get|on|off>

enablersvp

Sets or gets the RSVP (Resource Reservation Setup Protocol) setting on the system, which requests that routers reserve bandwidth along an IP connection path.

enablersvp <get|yes|no>

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

flash

Flashes the analog phone call, either an analog phone or a SoundStation VTX 1000®.

flash [“callid”] flash [“callid”] [“duration”]

h239enable

Sets or gets the H.239 People+Content setting.

h239enable get h239enable <yes|no>

monitor1screensaverouput and monitor2screensaverouput

Sets or gets whether to send either black video or "No Signal" to Monitor 1 or Monitor 2 when the screen saver activates.

monitor1screensaveroutput <get|black|no_signal> monitor2screensaveroutput <get|black|no_signal>

mtumode and mtusize

Sets or gets the MTU mode. The

mtumode

and

mtusize

commands allow you to change the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) size, to adjust for the best interoperability with the host network. Set

mtusize

to specify a value. If

mtumode

is set to

default

specify

, then use

, the system

automatically sets the MTU value to 1260.

mtumode <get|default|specify> mtusize <get|660|780|900|1020|1140|1260|1500>

nath323compatible

Sets or gets the NAT is H.323 Compatible setting.

nath323compatible <get|yes|no>

numberofrouterhops

Sets or gets the maximum number of router hops for streaming.

numberofrouterhops get numberofrouterhops set {1..127}

primarycallchoice

Sets or gets the primary call type for placing calls.

primarycallchoice <get|isdn|ip|sip|manual>

registerall

Alias for the

all register

command.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

remotemonenable

Gets the state of remote room and call monitoring.

remotemonenable get

rs232monitor

Sets or gets the state of RS-232 serial port monitoring. When RS-232 monitoring is enabled, you can view all communication through the serial port as output to Telnet port 23.

rs232monitor get rs232monitor <on|off>

secondarycallchoice

Sets or gets the secondary call type for placing calls.

secondarycallchoice <get|isdn|ip|sip|none>

telnetmonitor

Sets or gets the state of Telnet session monitoring. When Telnet monitoring is enabled, you can view all communication to and from the Telnet port 24 session as output to Telnet port 23.

telnetmonitor get telnetmonitor <on|off>

unregisterall

Alias for the

all unregister

command.

useroompassword

Sets or gets the Use Room Password for Remote Access setting.

useroompassword get useroompassword <no|yes>

v35broadcastmode

Sets or gets the V.35 broadcast mode. This command is only applicable if you have a V.35 network interface connected to your system.

v35broadcastmode <get|on|off>

videocallorder

Sets the video call order of the specified protocol to the specified slot.

videocallorder <isdn|h323|sip> <1|2|3>

voicecallorder

Sets the voice call order of the specified protocol to the specified slot.

voicecallorder <pots|voice|vtx> <1|2|3>

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Corrected Issues in Version 8.5

The following table lists issues corrected in version 8.5.

Issue Description

API Previously there was no way to enable VGA mode for monitor 2

through API commands. The provides this ability.

When setting the administrator password from the API interface, you can use the # and * characters. You can now use the Alt key on the onscreen keyboard to access these characters in the embedded user interface.

configdisplay

command

Cameras (VSX systems)

Chair Control When using chair control, it no longer takes two clicks to

Content Statistics

Directory You can add a multipoint entry to a custom category.

Global Management System

Interoperability Aethra

Interoperability H.239

You can calibrate a PowerCam™ Plus for auto camera tracking without disabling stereo.

Auto Camera Tracking and Auto Camera Tracking to Presets remain enabled after a system restart.

acquire chair control.

PVX™ systems are listed as meeting participants during chair control.

The Content Statistics screen displays transmit statistics for the People+Content IP application.

If you received a support acknowledgement message from Global Management System, you no longer need to press the Home button on the remote to make the message go away.

Global Management System provisioning of the Primary and Secondary Call Types is now supported.

H.239 functions properly with Aethra Vega Star Gold 6.0.30.

H.239 now works with TANDBERG B10.2 (which can receive VGA and SVGA resolutions for content), MGC 7.5.0.52, Sony PCS-1 3.22, TANDBERG 6000 MXP F4.1, iPower 62.0.1208, TANDBERG E5.2.

Interoperability iPower™

Interoperability MCU

In H.323 multipoint calls using AES encryption, with a VSX system as the MCU and iPower and PVX systems as endpoints, iPower did not transmit video if PVX was the second endpoint. This has been corrected.

With MGC 7.0.0.72, far end camera control did not always work if all sites in a voice-switched conference were ISDN. This has been corrected.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Issue Description

Interoperability MGC™

Interoperability RADVISION

Interoperability Remote Controls

Interoperability Sony

Interoperability TANDBERG

The VSX system displayed the near- and far-site mute icon when it mutes during H.323 gateway calls with the MGC100 gateway, but the far end may not have been muted. This is corrected with MGC 7.5.0.52.

Calls between a V500 or VSX system and a PVX system through a RADVISION ECS gatekeeper had no Far End Camera Control. This has been corrected.

Third-party remote controls did not work correctly when pressing the same button repeatedly. The user interface now provides a Use Non-Polycom Remote setting to address this.

The VSX 8000 was unable to receive content from a Sony PCS-1 in H.320 calls that used H.239, unless the VSX 8000 started and stopped sending content first. This has been corrected.

In H.323 calls, V500 and VSX systems were sometimes unable to control the Sony PCS-1 2.40 camera.

In H.320 2x64 calls to a Sony PCS-1, only one channel connected. This has been corrected.

In voice switching H.320 encrypted conferences, V500 or VSX systems may have problems transmitting video. Continuous presence conferences do not experience this problem. This does not occur with TANDBERG MXP F4.1.

In H.323 H.239 calls with a TANDBERG 6000, the TANDBERG system's content monitor will show a blank screen when the call connects. This does not occur with TANDBERG E5.2.

In encrypted H.323 calls at 768 kbps or above with TANDBERG B and E series systems, V500 or VSX systems may continue to display video mute messages throughout the conference. The does not occur with the TANDBERG MXP systems running F2.5 software. This does not occur in unencrypted calls or with TANDBERG E5.2.

Encryption is not supported with the TANDBERG Gateway version 2.0 and earlier. In version 2.1, encryption is supported on the H.320 side of the call only. This does not occur with TANDBERG G3.0.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Issue Description

Interoperability TANDBERG

The following issues were seen in H.239 calls between V500 or VSX systems and TANDBERG E series systems.

• In 128 kbps calls between a VSX 8000 system and a TANDBERG 6000E, content from the TANDBERG system were sometimes sent to the wrong display. This has been corrected.

• V500 and VSX systems did not always receive content in calls with TANDBERG 880E systems. This has been corrected.

In calls between a V500 or VSX system and a TANDBERG 6000 B9.1 system and E4.2 with H.239 enabled, the call connected and the V500 or VSX system displayed video correctly, but the TANDBERG system displayed black video. When H.239 was disabled on either system, video was displayed on the TANDBERG system correctly. This has been corrected.

H.239 was not supported in H.320 V500 or VSX systems multipoint calls with TANDBERG systems. This has been corrected.

In H.320 H.239 conferences with a TANDBERG 6000 MXP MCU, a V500 or VSX system was unable to receive or transmit content. This has been corrected.

The VSX system does not receive video in H.323 voice activated switching conferences with the TANDBERG 6000 E4.0 MCU. The does not occur in continuous presence conferences.

H.239 functions properly with TANDBERG E5.2 and MXP F4.1.

People+Content For best results sending and receiving content, use call rates

greater than 128 kbps.

Changing laptop resolution while sending content may result in the far site losing content. If this occurs, stop and restart sending content.

Do not change the People+Content quality preference while sending content.

The far site can select a camera source on the near site for content. The only way the far site can then stop this source is to start sending content itself.

In calls to TANDBERG systems, if H.239 is enabled on the VSX system but not enabled on the TANDBERG system, content will not be sent to the TANDBERG system (though the VSX system may report that content is being sent).

In H.261 ISDN conferences through MGC, content may not be displayed.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Issue Description

People+Content IPWhen you use People+Content IP to show content on a VSX

system, if a dialog box is displayed on the VSX system user interface, the People+Content IP content will continue to display on the VSX system until the dialog box is dismissed, even if "Stop" is pressed on the People+Content IP application.

SIP You can now use the Recent Calls list to dial incoming calls.

Softupdate V.35 Calling Profile prefixes are saved when you update the

system software to version 8.5.

The VSX system is now able make V.35 calls after running Softupdate, without the need to restart.

When reinstalling software version 7.x, you had to disable Save System Settings during the installation to prevent unpredictable behavior. Installing version 8.0 or later does not display this problem.

Non-default call rates such as 56, 64,112 kbps, and so on had to be selected again after an update to version 8.0. Installing version 8.5 does not display this problem.

Release Notes V500 and VSX systems, version 8.5

Issue Description

User Interface If you cleared all options for content display on the Monitors

screen, the default settings were applied after a system restart. This has been corrected.

The Enable Basic Mode option is now available in the user interface.

If Stereo was enabled, and then echo canceller was enabled, stereo was disabled on the Polycom mics but no user interface message appeared to notify the user. This has been corrected.

Web Interface The People+Content VGA option key on the VSX 7000e, when

enabled, was not displayed as enabled in the web interface.

In the web interface directory, when registered to Global Directory Server, the user had to wait until the applet was fully loaded. Refreshing the page killed the current session and prevented updates from occurring. This has been corrected.

The Home Screen Settings page became inaccessible if you entered an apostrophe in the Enter Marquee Text field. The Screen Saver page became inaccessible if you entered an apostrophe in the Screen Saver Text field. This has been corrected.

Changing some values in the web interface would reboot the system. The interface displayed a dialog noting that the system would restart. This has been corrected.

The Directory screen in the web interface would hang while trying read Global Address Book entries if the computer did not have Sun JVM 1.2 or later installed. Microsoft Virtual Machine was not supported. This has been corrected.

When editing directory entries in the web interface, the speed and category entries were sometimes incorrect. This has been corrected.

The ping utility did not always function properly from the web interface. This has been corrected.

The trace route utility could not be performed from the web interface. This has been corrected.

The Allow Directory Changes field did not get updated if configured from the web interface. This has been corrected.

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