The Tandberg 1000 for Cisco CallManager® video phone was evaluated at the Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS) from January 3 to February 11, 2005. The video phone was found to be limited in application due to the proprietary nature of its video capabilities.

The phone uses the Tandberg 1000 H.323 video codec as its dialing device. The Tandberg 1000 is a stand alone unit that sits on a desk with a video window and built-in camera. Using Tandberg’s remote, it can be configured as a full-fledged H.323 codec or as a video phone endpoint. The Tandberg 1000 can also be controlled through Internet Explorer.

Cisco CallManager is an IP telephony solution based on Cisco Systems AAVID platform. Through Cisco CallManager, calls are made on Cisco IP phones that are then delivered to many types of endpoints (IP phones, cell phones, analog phones and ISDN through a gateway).

To have the Tandberg 1000 work with Cisco CallManager, the Cisco SCCP (Skinny Client Control Protocol) must be installed on the Tandberg 1000. The software can be downloaded through Internet Explorer and is obtained from Tandberg as either H1.3 code or I1.3. Once this version is installed on the Tandberg 1000, the unit cannot be used as a traditional H.323 endpoint. Configuration menus are limited. There are no places to input gatekeeper or gateway IP addresses. The Tandberg 1000 will need either a static IP or use DHCP. TFTP settings need to be turned on and be given the IP of the CallManger that will be handling the endpoint. DNS entries can also be made. Some versions of the Tandberg 1000 have wireless settings.

For the CallManager, a plug-in must be installed (obtained from Tandberg) and then restarted. Once the plug-in is in place, the Tandberg 1000 can be set-up like any other IP Telephony endpoint that the CallManger is familiar with. The Tandberg 1000 will show up as “Tandberg Video endpoint.” Bandwidth settings are done in the CallMangaer set up of the endpoint. At this time, the Cisco CallManger does not talk to the Cisco MCM Gatekeeper.

When setup is complete, users will see the number given to the unit by CallManger and three options on the bottom of the screen: Redial, NewCall and CfwdAll. At this point calls can be made to any telephony device using the Tandberg remote. If a number is misdialed or the user is taking too long to input the number, the CallManger audio attendant will come on and give instruction as to what to do next.

In order to see video of the far end, another Tandberg 1000 with the Cisco SCCP protocol must be called or an OEM Logitech camera from Cisco (approximately $100) can be obtained to install on a PC. When the IP phone is called, the Cisco OEM camera will activate and provide a two way video call through the Call Manager. Another option is to have a Cisco 3540 MCU that has the Cisco SCCP protocol and a video gateway.

For more information, please contact:

Alan Stillerman, senior product research analyst
Indiana Higher Education Telecommunication System (IHETS)
714 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3112
Phone: 317.263.8888
E-mail