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Conduct a Self-Test

If you would like to test your ability to participate in a videoconference with the Illinois State Museum, you can try a quick self-test connection to our server. If it is successful, you can be confident that a real conference will be possible. If it is unsuccessful, there remain some problems to be resolved before a conference can take place.

This guide makes the following assumptions:

  • Your videoconferencing hardware (camera, microphone, speakers) and software are installed and working.
  • You have correctly configured your firewall as directed on this page.
  • You are using SmithMicro VideoLink Pro or Microsoft NetMeeting as your videoconferencing software. Any H.323-compliant software will work, but you'll have to adapt the instructions to fit the details of your software.

1. Configure your software to use our gatekeeper:

SmithMicro VideoLink Pro
Microsoft NetMeeting
  1. Start VideoLink Pro.
  2. Click on the "Tools" menu. Choose "Preferences."
  3. At the top of the Preferences window, click the "Gatekeeper" tab.
  4. Under the "Gatekeeper selection" area, click the choice labeled, "Other Gatekeeper."
  5. In the "Address" box, enter geologyonline.museum.state.il.us
  6. Under the "Registration information" section, check the box labeled, "H323 ID." (This is equivalent to User Name, as specified on the General tab.)
  7. Click the OK button on the Preferences window.
  8. Quit and restart VideoLink Pro before you try to place a call.
  1. Start NetMeeting.
  2. Click on the "Tools" menu. Choose "Options."
  3. At the bottom of the Options window, click the "Advanced Calling..." button.
  4. At the top of the Advanced Calling Options window, check the box labeled, "Use a gatekeeper to place calls."
  5. In the "Gatekeeper:" box, enter geologyonline.museum.state.il.us
  6. Check the box labeled, "Log on using my account name."
  7. In the "Account name:" box, enter your full name (e.g., John Smith).
  8. Click the OK button on the Advanced Calling Options window.
  9. Click the OK button on the Options window.
  10. Quit and restart NetMeeting before you try to place a call.

2. Place the call:

SmithMicro VideoLink Pro
Microsoft NetMeeting
  1. Start VideoLink Pro.
  2. Click on the "Connect" menu. Choose "Call."
  3. In the "Number to call:" box, enter selftest
  4. Click the "OK" button in the Call window.
  1. Start NetMeeting.
  2. Click on the "Call" menu. Choose "New Call."
  3. In the "To:" box, enter selftest
  4. Click the "Call" button in the Place a Call window.

If the call is successful, you will see an image of the words "Gnome Meeting" in blue script floating up and down. This is an unmonitored test conference, so there will be no one on the other end to talk to.

 


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