History of VCCS
Compressed Video
The Virginia Community College System's compressed video services began in mid 1995 with the creation of a 5 campus, ISDN based, H.320 compressed video test network. It provided point-to-point connectivity between campuses and multipoint connectivity via a shared video bridge. Testing was completed in 1995, with the first classes being offered in January of 1996.
ISDN Compressed Video
The introduction of ATM wide area networking to all VCCS campuses in late 1996 allowed expansion of the H.320 compressed video network to a system wide production environment that included all 40 campuses. It used ATM circuit emulation to connect each campus to a port on a video bridge. This configuration provided connectivity for any number of campuses. It also provided connectivity to selected high schools that had previously been associated with various colleges.
H.321 Compressed Video
In late 1999 the VCCS decided to expand compressed video networking required conversion to H.321 Compression based ATM transport environment , using ATM switched virtual circuits. This allowed direct point-to-point connectivity between campuses without the use of a video bridge. A video bridge was still required to provide multipoint connectivity.
H.323 Compressed Video
In early 2000 advancements in IP based H.323 compressed video networking led to the testing of all types of H.323 based environments that allows the colleges to effectively communicate between each other and with non-VCCS partners. However, the effectiveness of videoconferencing depends on the capabilities of the campus network. Around this time the VCCS added a scheduling application called WebCommander to the Compressed Video Model. The web based scheduling application is the basis for allowing the customer to schedule, administer, and manage a conference.
In October 2005, the VCCS completed the Commonwealth Conference Room Project. The Commonwealth Conference Room provides conference room size facilities for interactive videoconferencing for small groups on all colleges and campuses within the VCCS.
Fall 2007, is one the most exciting times for VCCS videoconferencing. To solve the bandwidth issues that many of the colleges were experiencing, the VCCS implemented the new MPLS network. This provides the colleges with their own private network, which allows for greater bandwidth and provides Quality of Service (QOS) for video traffic. Voice traffic is prioritized into the highest queue while Video traffic is sent into the Second Highest Queue. The VCCS is also proud to announce the ability to record Distance Learning Classes and general video conferences is now available.